List of lakes of Switzerland

This article contains a sortable table listing all major lakes of Switzerland. The table includes all still water bodies, natural or artificial, that have a surface area of at least 30 hectares (74 acres), regardless of water volume, maximum depth or other metric. These lakes are ranked by area, the table including also the elevation above sea level and maximum depth. They are either natural (type N), natural but used as reservoirs (NR) or fully artificial (A). For a list of artificial lakes only, see List of dams and reservoirs in Switzerland. For a list of lakes above 800 metres (2,600 ft) that includes smaller water bodies, see List of mountain lakes of Switzerland.

Map of major lakes and rivers of Switzerland labelled in the relevant local language (French, German or Italian).

Along with the mountains, lakes constitute a major natural feature of Switzerland, with over 1,000 km (620 mi) of shores within the country.[Nb 1] Lakes, large and small, can be found in almost all cantons and provide an important source of water as well as leisure opportunities. The two most extensive, Lake Geneva and Lake Constance, are amongst the largest in Europe and mark the border of the Swiss Plateau, along with the Alps and the Jura Mountains. The largest wholly Swiss lake is Lake Neuchâtel. The remaining lakes over 100 km2 (39 sq mi) are Lake Maggiore and Lake Lucerne. In total 103 lakes exist that are more than 30 ha (74 acres) in surface area, and a considerable number of smaller lakes. All these lakes are found in the four major river basins of Switzerland: Rhine, Rhone, Po and Danube,[Nb 2] at almost all elevations below the permanent snow line.

Distribution

There are several thousand lakes in Switzerland, with estimations up to 7000,[1] although those include very small water bodies, traditionally referred to as "lakes".[Nb 3] On this list, only the 103 largest lakes, which are over 30 hectares in area, are included. Among these, 58 are over 1.0 km2, 17 are over 10 km2, and just five are over 100 km2 in area. Of these lakes, 37 are natural, 21 are natural, but are used as reservoirs, and 45 are manmade reservoirs. These 103 lakes are shared among 21 cantons, out of the 26.[Nb 4] Some of these lakes are also shared with neighboring France, Germany, Austria, and Italy (for simplicity purposes, only the total area of the lake is indicated). Four of the cantons (Grisons, Berne, Valais, and Ticino) have more than 10 of the lakes, apiece, and just over one-half of the cantons (14) have one or more lakes of over 100 km2 in area. Most of these lakes are either below 800 metres above sea level (mostly natural lakes), or above 1600 metres (mostly manmade lakes). A large majority of the lakes, 66, are located in the Rhine basin (partly via the Aare River); 17 in the Rhone basin (partly via the Doubs River); 14 in the Po River basin (mostly via the Ticino River); and six are in the Danube River basin (all via the Inn River).

Largest in area and volume: Lake Geneva
Lowest and deepest: Lake Maggiore
Highest: Muttsee
Distribution by canton of the lakes over 0.30 km2, grouped by area, elevation and depth
Canton By area By elevation[Nb 5] By max. depth Total Lakes/100 km2 (39 sq mi)
<1 km2 (0.4 sq mi)1–9.99 km2 (0.4–3.9 sq mi)10–99 km2 (4–38 sq mi)+100 km2 (39 sq mi)<800 m (2,625 ft)800–1,599 m (2,625–5,246 ft)+1,600 m (5,249 ft)<50 m (160 ft)50–99 m (164–325 ft)100–199 m (328–653 ft)+200 m (660 ft)
Aargau 1 1 1 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 0.21
Berne 8 4 3 1 9 2 5 7 5 2 2 16 0.27
Fribourg 2 2 1 1 4 2 0 3 2 1 0 6 0.36
Geneva 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 0.71
Glarus 1 2 1 0 1 1 2 1 1 2 0 4 0.58
Grisons 9 10 0 0 0 4 15 4 9 6 0 19 0.27
Jura 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0.12
Lucerne 2 1 3 1 7 0 0 3 2 1 1 7 0.47
Neuchâtel 4 0 1 1 5 1 0 3 2 1 0 6 0.75
Nidwalden 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0.36
Obwalden 2 2 0 1 3 0 2 2 2 0 1 5 1.02
Schaffhausen 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0.34
Schwyz 0 2 3 1 4 2 0 2 1 2 1 6 0.66
St. Gallen 1 0 2 1 3 1 0 0 0 3 1 4 0.20
Thurgau 1 0 1 1 3 0 0 2 0 0 1 3 0.30
Ticino 5 5 1 1 3 1 8 1 4 4 3 12 0.43
Uri 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 2 0.19
Valais 6 6 0 1 1 0 12 3 4 4 2 13 0.25
Vaud 2 2 1 2 4 3 0 4 0 2 1 7 0.22
Zug 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 0.84
Zurich 1 2 1 0 4 0 0 3 0 1 0 4 0.23
Switzerland 45 41 12 5 42 17 44 40 31 23 9 103 0.25

Main list

Rank Name Type*
[2]
Local names Canton(s), neighboring countries River basin Area Elevation Max. depth
km²[3] mi² m ft m ft
1 Lake GenevaNLac Léman, Lac de Genève Geneva, Vaud, Valais, France Rhone 580.03 223.95372.0 1,220.5310 1,020
2 Lake ConstanceNBodensee St. Gallen, Thurgau, Austria, Germany Rhine 473.00 182.63396 1,299252 827
3 Lake NeuchâtelNLac de Neuchâtel, Neuenburgersee Berne, Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Vaud Rhine 215.20 83.09429.4 1,409153 502
4 Lake MaggioreNVerbano, Lago Maggiore Ticino, Italy Po 210.12 81.13193.5 635372 1,220
5 Lake LucerneNVierwaldstättersee Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schwyz, Uri Rhine 113.72 43.91433.6 1,423214 702
6 Lake ZurichNZürichsee St. Gallen, Schwyz, Zurich Rhine 88.17 34.04405.9 1,332136 446
7 UnterseeNUntersee Schaffhausen, Thurgau, Germany Rhine 63.00 24.32396 1,29937 121
8 Lake LuganoNCeresio, Lago di Lugano Ticino, Italy Po 48.67 18.79270.5 887288 945
9 Lake ThunNThunersee Berne Rhine 47.74 18.43557.8 1,830215 705
10 Lake BienneNLac de Bienne, Bielersee Berne, Neuchâtel Rhine 39.51 15.25429.1 1,40874 243
11 Lake ZugNZugersee Lucerne, Schwyz, Zug Rhine 38.41 14.83413.6 1,357198 650
12 Lake BrienzNBrienzersee Berne Rhine 29.81 11.51563.7 1,849260 850
13 Lake WalenNWalensee Glarus, St. Gallen Rhine 24.16 9.33419.0 1,374.7150 490
14 Lake MoratNLac de Morat (Murtensee) Fribourg, Vaud Rhine 22.80 8.80429.2 1,40846 151
15 Lake SempachNSempachersee Lucerne Rhine 14.36 5.54503.8 1,65387 285
16 SihlseeASihlsee Schwyz Rhine 10.72 4.14889 2,91723 75
17 Lake HallwilNHallwilersee Aargau, Lucerne Rhine 10.21 3.94448.7 1,47247 154
18 Lake GruyèreALac de la Gruyère Fribourg Rhine 9.60 3.71677 2,22175 246
19 Lac de JouxNRLac de Joux Vaud Rhine 8.77 3.391,004 3,29434 112
20 GreifenseeNGreifensee Zurich Rhine 8.17 26.8435.1 1,42734 112
21 Lake SarnenNSarnersee Obwalden Rhine 7.38 2.85468.4 1,53752 171
22 ÄgeriseeNÄgerisee Zug Rhine 7.25 2.80723.9 2,37582 269
23 Lake BaldeggNBaldeggersee Lucerne Rhine 5.24 2.02463.0 1,519.066 217
24 Lago di LivignoALago di Livigno Grisons, Italy Danube 4.71 1.821,805 5,922119 390
25 SchiffenenseeASchiffenensee, Lac de Schiffenen Fribourg Rhine 4.25 1.64532 1,74538 125
26 WägitalerseeAWägitalersee Schwyz Rhine 4.18 1.61900 3,00065 213
27 Lago di LeiALago di Lei Grisons, Italy Rhine 4.12 1.591,931 6,335133 436
28 Lake SilsNSilsersee, Lej da Segl Grisons Danube 4.10 1.581,797 5,89671 233
29 Lac des DixALac des Dix Valais Rhone 3.65 1.412,365 7,759227 745
30 Lake WohlenAWohlensee Berne Rhine 3.65 1.41480 1,57020 66
31 Lac d'EmossonALac d'Emosson Valais Rhone 3.27 10.71,930 6,330161 528
32 KlöntalerseeNRKlöntalersee Glarus Rhine 3.18 1.23847 2,77947 154
33 Lake SilvaplanaNSilvaplanersee, Lej da Silvaplauna Grisons Danube 3.18 1.231,790 5,87077 253
34 PfäffikerseeNPfäffikersee Zurich Rhine 3.06 1.18536 1,75935 115
35 Lake LauerzNLauerzersee Schwyz Rhine 3.00 1.16447 1,46714 46
36 GrimselseeNRGrimselsee Berne Rhine 2.63 1.021,908 6,260100 330
37 Lake LungernNRLungerersee, Lungernsee Obwalden Rhine 2.01 0.78688 2,25768 223
38 Lac de MauvoisinALac de Mauvoisin Valais Rhone 2.08 0.801,961 6,434180 590
39 Lago di PoschiavoNRLago di Poschiavo Grisons Po 1.98 0.76962 3,15685 279
40 Lai da Sontga MariaALai da Sontga Maria Grisons, Ticino Rhine 1.77 5.81,908 6,26086 282
41 MattmarkseeAMattmarksee Valais Rhone 1.76 0.682,197 7,20893 305
42 Lago di VogornoALago di Vogorno Ticino Po 1.68 0.65470 1,540204 669
43 Lac de SalanfeALac de Salanfe Valais Rhone 1.62 0.631,925 6,31648 157
44 ZervreilaseeAZervreilasee Grisons Rhine 1.61 0.621,862 6,109140 460
45 Lac de l'HongrinALac de l'Hongrin Vaud Rhine 1.60 0.621,255 4,117105 344
46 Lago BiancoNRLago Bianco Grisons Po 1.50 0.582,234 7,32953 174
47 Lago RitomNRLago Ritom Ticino Po 1.49 0.581,850 6,07069 226
48 OberaarseeAOberaarsee Berne Rhine 1.47 4.82,303 7,55690 300
49 Lai da MarmoreraALai da Marmorera Grisons Rhine 1.41 0.541,680 5,51065 213
50 Lac de MoiryALac de Moiry Valais Rhone 1.40 0.542,249 7,379120 390
51 LimmernseeALimmernsee Glarus Rhine 1.36 0.531,857 6,093122 400
52 GöscheneralpseeAGöscheneralpsee Uri Rhine 1.32 0.511,792 5,879106 348
53 Lago di LuzzoneALago di Luzzone Ticino Po 1.27 4.21,606 5,269181 594
54 Albigna lakeALago da l'Albigna
Lägh da l'Albigna
Grisons Po 1.26 0.492,163 7,096108 354
55 Oeschinen LakeNOeschinensee Berne Rhine 1.15 0.441,578 5,17756 184
56 Klingnauer StauseeAKlingnauer Stausee Aargau Rhine 1.11 0.43318 1,0438.5 28
57 Lago del SambucoALago del Sambuco Ticino Po 1.11 0.431,461 4,793124 407
58 Lac de VerboisALac de Verbois Geneva Rhone 1.01 0.39369 1,211
59 Lai da NalpsALai da Nalps Grisons Rhine 0.90 0.351,908 6,260122 400
60 Lac de TseuzierALac de Tseuzier Valais Rhone 0.83 0.321,777 5,830140 460
61 SufnerseeASufnersee Grisons Rhine 0.82 0.321,401 4,59651 167
62 Lai da CurneraALai da Curnera Grisons Rhine 0.79 0.311,956 6,417136 446
63 Lake St. MoritzNLej da San Murezzan, St. Moritzersee Grisons Danube 0.75 0.291,768 5,80142 138
64 Lago del NarètNRLago del Narèt Ticino Po 0.73 0.282,310 7,580104 341
65 FlachseeAFlachsee Aargau Rhine 0.71 0.27380 1,2507 23
66 Lac des BrenetsNLac des Brenets Neuchâtel, France Rhone 0.70 0.27750 2,46026 85
67 Alte AareNAlte Aare Berne Rhine 0.70 0.27428 1,404
68 GigerwaldseeAGigerwaldsee St. Gallen Rhine 0.69 0.271,335 4,380135 443
69 Lac de MoronALac de Moron Neuchâtel, France Rhone 0.69 0.27716 2,34959 194
70 Lac de MontsalvensALac de Montsalvens Fribourg Rhine 0.66 0.25801 2,62850 160
71 RäterichsbodenseeARäterichsbodensee Berne Rhine 0.66 0.251,767 5,79777 253
72 Lac BrenetNRLac Brenet Vaud Rhine 0.65 0.251,002 3,28718 59
73 DaubenseeNDaubensee Valais Rhine 0.64 0.252,205 7,234
74 GriesseeAGriessee Valais Rhone 0.64 0.252,386 7,82866 217
75 GelmerseeNRGelmersee Berne Rhine 0.62 0.241,850 6,07042 138
76 Lac des ToulesALac des Toules Valais Rhone 0.60 0.231,810 5,94075 246
77 Lake DavosNRDavosersee Grisons Rhine 0.57 1.91,560 5,12052 171
78 Lac du Vieux EmossonALac du Vieux Emosson Valais Rhone 0.55 0.212,205 7,23442 138
79 Lago di LucendroNRLago di Lucendro Ticino Rhine 0.54 0.212,135 7,00596 315
80 MauenseeNMauensee Lucerne Rhine 0.54 0.21503 1,6509 30
81 MelchseeNRMelchsee Obwalden Rhine 0.51 0.201,891 6,20418 59
82 NiederriedseeANiederriedsee Berne Rhine 0.49 0.19461 1,5128 26
83 TürlerseeNTürlersee Zurich Rhine 0.49 0.19643 2,11022 72
84 Lac de CleusonALac de Cleuson Valais Rhone 0.48 0.192,186 7,17276 249
85 Lac de BretNRLac de Bret Vaud Rhone 0.48 0.19674 2,21120 66
86 Lago dei CavagnööALago dei Cavagnöö, Lago di Cavagnoli Ticino Po 0.48 0.192,310 7,580100 330
87 RotseeNRotsee Lucerne Rhine 0.47 1.5419 1,37516 52
88 EngstlenseeNREngstlensee Berne Rhine 0.46 0.181,851 6,07349 161
89 Lac des TaillèresNRLac des Taillères Neuchâtel Rhine 0.46 0.181,040 3,4107 23
90 SchwarzseeNSchwarzsee Fribourg Rhine 0.45 0.171,046 3,43210 33
91 Lago della SellaNRLago della Sella Ticino Po 0.45 0.172,256 7,40230 98
92 ArnenseeNRArnensee Berne Rhine 0.45 0.171,542 5,05950 160
93 Lej da VadretNLaj da Vadret Grisons Danube 0.43 0.172,160 7,090
94 MuttseeNRMuttsee Glarus Rhine 0.41 0.162,446 8,02568 223
95 Lac de BiaufondALac de Biaufond Jura, Neuchâtel, France Rhone 0.40 0.15606 1,98810 33
96 Lago TremorgioNRLago Tremorgio Ticino Po 0.40 0.151,851 6,07357 187
97 Lag da PigniuALag da Pigniu, Panixersee Grisons Rhine 0.39 0.151,450 4,76042 138
98 AmsoldingerseeNAmsoldingersee Berne Rhine 0.38 0.15641 2,10314 46
99 Lago d'IsolaALago d'Isola Grisons Po 0.36 0.141,604 5,26239 128
100 Lai da Ova SpinALai da Ova Spin Grisons Danube 0.35 0.141,630 5,35064 210
101 HüttwilerseeNHüttwilersee Thurgau Rhine 0.35 0.14434 1,42415 49
102 TannenseeNRTannensee Obwalden Rhine 0.34 0.131,976 6,48321 69
103 MoosseeNMoossee Berne Rhine 0.30 0.12521 1,70921 69

* Types: N = natural; NR = natural but used as reservoirs; A = fully artificial

See also

Notes

  1. Approximately (see coastline paradox) 1,000 km (620 mi) counting only the 17 lakes over 10 square kilometres (3.9 sq mi) (length retrieved from the Google Earth geographical information program).
  2. The remaining basin (the Adige) being marginal and comporting only small lakes (of which the largest is Lai da Rims).
  3. For example, the Blausee ("blue lake"), the Märjelensee ("Märjelen lake"), and the Schwarzsee ("black lake") are smaller than one hectare in surface area.
  4. The cantons of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, and Solothun do not appear in this list.
  5. See List of mountain lakes of Switzerland for a more detailed distribution.

References

  1. Block, Klaus-Dieter (2014). Ach du liebe Schweiz: Ein sonderbares Land – Berichte aus der Schweiz. Steffen Verlag. ISBN 978-3-942477-87-1.
  2. "Speicherseen in der Schweiz" (PDF) (in German). Bundesamt für Energie BFE (Swiss Federal Office of Energy SFOE).
  3. "Maps of Switzerland – Swiss Confederation – map.geo.admin.ch: Primary surfaces VECTOR25". Federal Office of Topography (Swisstopo).
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.