List of lakes of Albania

Hydrogeological Map of Albania^[1]

Albania’s diverse landscape, shaped by favorable weather conditions, significant tectonic subsidence, karst processes and coastal dynamics, is home to a wide array of natural and artificial lakes. These water bodies vary widely in altitude, water flow, geology and climate, influencing their unique morphometric features, water balance and hydrochemical and optical properties.

Lakes are generally categorized based on the origin of their basins, a factor that fundamentally alters their geographical characteristics. The country hosts 247 natural lakes and over 800 artificial reservoirs. Natural lakes, primarily formed through karstic or glacial processes^[2], are further classified into four types: 4 tectonic, 134 proglacial, 94 karst and 15 oxbow.

Additionally, the coastal region features lagoons that collectively cover an area of approximately 150 km² (58 sq mi).^[3]

Natural lakes

  Ramsar wetland or a marine protected area

  Part of a national park

Tectonic lakes

No.	Image	Lake	Surface area	Max. depth	Water volume	Map
1		Shkodër	149 km^2 (58 sq mi)	44 m (144 ft)
2		Ohri	111.2 km^2 (42.9 sq mi)	295 m (968 ft)
3		Prespa	46.3 km^2 (17.9 sq mi)	54 m (177 ft)
4		Small Prespa	4.3 km^2 (1.7 sq mi)	7.7 m (25 ft)

Lagoons

No.	Image	Lagoon	Surface area	Max. depth	Water volume	Map
1		Karavasta	43.3 km^2 (16.7 sq mi)	1.3 m (4 ft 3 in)
2		Narta	41.8 km^2 (16.1 sq mi)
3		Butrint	16.3 km^2 (6.3 sq mi)	21.4 m (70 ft)
4		Patok	4.8 km^2 (1.9 sq mi)	0.7 m (2 ft 4 in)
5		Viluni	3.0 km^2 (1.2 sq mi)

Other smaller natural or glacial lakes include Lura Lakes, Lake Sheep, Lake Gistova, Lake Gramë, Lake Buni Jezercë, Lake Dash, Lake Sylbicë, Lake Dhënve, Lake Sope and Lake Malik, which was drained by government's decision.

Artificial lakes

  Part of a nature park or nature reserve

No.	Image	Lake	Surface area	Max. depth	Water volume	Map
1		Fierza	70.14 km^2 (27.08 sq mi)	128 m (420 ft)
2		Vau i Dejës	25 km^2 (9.7 sq mi)	50 m (160 ft)
3		Ulëza	13.5 km^2 (5.2 sq mi)	54 m (177 ft)
4		Koman	12 km^2 (4.6 sq mi)	175.5 m (576 ft)
5		Shkopet	6 km^2 (2.3 sq mi)
6		Bovilla	4.6 km^2 (1.8 sq mi)	18 m (59 ft)

See also

• Biodiversity of Albania
• Climate of Albania
• Geography of Albania
• Protected areas of Albania

References

1. Ministry of Industry and Mines (1985)
2. "The quality of Albanian natural waters and the human impact". researchgate.net. p. 134.
3. Engineering Geology for Society and Territory - Volume 1: Climate Change and Engineering Geology (Giorgio Lollino, Andrea Manconi, John Clague, Wei Shan, Marta Chiarle ed.). Springer. 23 August 2014. p. 388. ISBN 9783319093000.