The incredible pop-up LAKE: Amazing images of the Austrian valley that only fills up when nearby glaciers melt

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Forget water under the bridge, in Austria each summer a temporary pristine lake submerges an entire valley and covers walkways.

Tobias Friedrich and Michael Webergerger donned their gear to explore and capture the stunning depths of Green Lake after the normally dry valley bottom was filled with fresh meltwater from nearby glaciers.

The water levels fluctuate so widely though, that when Friedrich and Webergerger visited the valley in December, they were able to walk across the bottom, which had been submerged to a depth of 22ft over warmer months.

Two divers have captured what could be some of the most pristine underwater shots ever. Tobias Friedrich and Michael Webergerger donned their gear to explore the depths of Green Lake, Austria

The valley bottom is usually dry, but fills with fresh meltwater from nearby glaciers during the warmer summer months

The spellbinding lake is submerged to depths of 22ft, demonstrated by the bridge lying far below the surface of the water 

 The water levels fluctuate so widely that when tourists visit the valley in December, they are able to walk across the bottom

Despite their escapades though, the local authorities have enforced a ban on diving in the lake since January 2016 to protect the area from being spoiled by tourism.

The photos, captured by the two men, were taken over the course of several hour-long dive trips and offered them visibility of up to 262ft in places.

The only restriction they were faced with was the temperature which, at a nippy 6C, meant they had to break off and warm up.

Friedrich said: 'I knew that the lake was great for visibility when the meltwater accumulated in it from the nearby glaciers.

'At the edge of the water, the scene isn't that impressive, but once you swim out towards the centre of the lake you have views of up to 262ft in every direction. It's remarkable.'

The barren valley floor isn't breathtaking during winter months but is transformed completely when temperatures rise  

The photos were taken over the course of several hour-long dive trips and offered them visibility of up to 262ft in places

Webergerger said: 'The lake is located high up in the Hochschwab mountains and you need luck to have the right weather, otherwise the effect isn't as good.

'The lake water is filled with millions of litres of meltwater so it is really pure.

'The lake is crystal clear but without the sun the lake loses its green turquoise colour and becomes magical.

'I have been there more than 20 times to take pictures and it really isn't easy at times to get images as the weather and conditions are always a limiting factor - but when they do come out, they are brilliant.'

The only restriction the divers faced was with the temperature which, at a nippy 6C, meant they had to break off and warm up

The divers said that the lake is located high up in the Hochschwab mountains and you need luck to have the right weather, otherwise the effect isn't as good

Local authorities have enforced a ban on diving in the lake since January 2016 to protect the area from being spoiled by tourism

Webergerger said he has been there more than 20 times to take pictures and it isn't easy at times to get images as the weather and conditions are always a limiting factor