Mässerbach

• Label holder: Binntal Nature Park
• Certification: 21 September 2024

The Mässerbach is a natural mountain stream in the municipality of Binn in Upper Valais. Rising at just under 2490 metres above sea level and descending into the valley shortly after via two mountain lakes, it criss-crosses the ‘Manibode’ plateau en route.

The Binntal valley is home to an extremely diverse animal world. Many of the species here are found nowhere else in Switzerland or are most abundant here. At the same time, the valley is a hotspot for plants thanks to its varied topography and different types of rock. Lake Mässer is the only home in Valais of the rare and endangered lake quillwort (Isoëtes lacustris), an aquatic plant that occurs in nutrient-poor mountain lakes and is found in only three locations in Switzerland.

The Mässerbach is certified with the ‘River Pearl PLUS’ label (2024 to 2029) in the entire catchment area from its sources to where it joins the Binna.