Zurich stands at the northwestern end of Lake Zurich. The lake extends southeast from the Swiss city, and its outflow begins in central Zurich near the Quaibrücke before continuing as the Limmat River.
Lake Zurich is a long, narrow glacial lake formed by the Rhine-Linth glacier. It stretches about 40 kilometers and reaches a maximum depth of roughly 136 meters. The Linth River and Linth Canal supply the lake from the southeast, while the Limmat carries its water away through Zurich toward the Aare and Rhine.
The name can cause confusion because “Lake Zurich” may refer either to the entire lake or, in narrower usage, to the lower section below the Hurden peninsula and Seedamm causeway. The upper section is commonly called Obersee, or Upper Lake, near Rapperswil.
Zurich is not merely near the lake; the city occupies its northwestern outlet and developed as an important transport and commercial center there. The lake also supplies drinking water after treatment and is popular for swimming and boat travel.