.jpg)
Albania’s diverse landscape, shaped by favorable weather conditions, significant tectonic subsidence, karst processes and coastal dynamics, is home to a wide array ofnatural andartificial 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 orglacial processes,[2] are further classified into four types: 4tectonic, 134proglacial, 94karst and 15oxbow.
Additionally, the coastal region features lagoons that collectively cover an area of approximately 150 km2 (58 sq mi).[3]
| 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) | |
| No. | Image | Lagoon | Surface area | Max. depth | Water volume | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | .jpg) | 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 | _Lake_Butrint.jpg) | 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 includeLura Lakes,Lake Sheep,Lake Gramë,Lake Buni Jezercë,Lake Dash,Lake Sylbicë,Lake Dhënve,Lake Sope andLake Malik, which was drained by government's decision.
| 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) | |
