List of lakes of Albania

(Redirected from Lakes of Albania)

Due to favorable weather conditions, significant tectonic subsidence, karst development, and coastal dynamics, Albania boasts numerous natural and human-made lakes, with varying geographical characteristics, from altitude to water flow, geology, and climate. These features contribute to the specific morphometric elements, water balance, hydrochemical and optical regime of each lake, making classification challenging. Lakes are typically classified based on the origin of the lake basin which plays a crucial role in determining its fundamental geographical characteristics. The country is home to 247 natural lakes and more than 800 artificial lakes. The natural lakes, mostly formed as a result of karstic or glacial processes,[2] are classified as follows: 4 tectonic, 134 proglacial, 94 karst and 15 oxbow. Lagoons are present along the coastal region, covering an area of 150 km2 (58 sq mi).[3]

Hydrogeological Map of Albania[1]

Natural lakes

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  Part of a national park

Tectonic lakes

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No. Image Lake Surface area Max. depth Water volume Map
1   Shkodër 149 km2 (58 sq mi) 44 m (144 ft)
 
 
2   Ohri 111.2 km2 (42.9 sq mi) 295 m (968 ft)
 
 
3   Prespa 46.3 km2 (17.9 sq mi) 54 m (177 ft)
 
 
4   Small Prespa 4.3 km2 (1.7 sq mi) 7.7 m (25 ft)
 
 

Lagoons

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No. Image Lagoon Surface area Max. depth Water volume Map
1   Karavasta 43.3 km2 (16.7 sq mi) 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in)
 
 
2   Narta 41.8 km2 (16.1 sq mi)
 
 
3   Butrint 16.3 km2 (6.3 sq mi) 21.4 m (70 ft)
 
 
4   Patok 4.8 km2 (1.9 sq mi) 0.7 m (2 ft 4 in)
 
 
5   Viluni 3.0 km2 (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

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  Part of a nature park or nature reserve
No. Image Lake Surface area Max. depth Water volume Map
1   Fierza 70.14 km2 (27.08 sq mi) 128 m (420 ft)
 
 
2   Vau i Dejës 25 km2 (9.7 sq mi) 50 m (160 ft)
 
 
3   Ulëza 13.5 km2 (5.2 sq mi) 54 m (177 ft)
 
 
4   Koman 12 km2 (4.6 sq mi) 175.5 m (576 ft)
 
 
5   Shkopet 6 km2 (2.3 sq mi)
 
 
6   Bovilla 4.6 km2 (1.8 sq mi) 18 m (59 ft)
 
 

See also

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References

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  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.