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List of lakes of Switzerland

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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), including 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).

This article contains a sortable table listing all major lakes of Switzerland. The table includes all still water bodies located either entirely or partly in Switzerland, both natural and 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).

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, leisure opportunities, as well as suitable habitat for fish-eating birds. 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

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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, Bern, 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
Bern 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

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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 Geneva N Lac Léman, Lac de Genève Geneva, Vaud, Valais, France Rhone 580.03 223.95 372.0 1,220.5 310 1,020
2 Lake Constance (Obersee) N Bodensee St. Gallen, Thurgau, Austria, Germany Rhine 473.00 182.63 396 1,299 252 827
3 Lake Neuchâtel N Lac de Neuchâtel, Neuenburgersee Bern, Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Vaud Rhine 215.20 83.09 429.4 1,409 153 502
4 Lake Maggiore N Verbano, Lago Maggiore Ticino, Italy Po 210.12 81.13 193.5 635 372 1,220
5 Lake Lucerne N Vierwaldstättersee Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schwyz, Uri Rhine 113.72 43.91 433.6 1,423 214 702
6 Lake Zurich N Zürichsee St. Gallen, Schwyz, Zurich Rhine 88.17 34.04 405.9 1,332 136 446
7 Untersee N Untersee Schaffhausen, Thurgau, Germany Rhine 63.00 24.32 396 1,299 37 121
8 Lake Lugano N Ceresio, Lago di Lugano Ticino, Italy Po 48.67 18.79 270.5 887 288 945
9 Lake Thun N Thunersee Bern Rhine 47.74 18.43 557.8 1,830 215 705
10 Lake Bienne N Lac de Bienne, Bielersee Bern, Neuchâtel Rhine 39.51 15.25 429.1 1,408 74 243
11 Lake Zug N Zugersee Lucerne, Schwyz, Zug Rhine 38.41 14.83 413.6 1,357 198 650
12 Lake Brienz N Brienzersee Bern Rhine 29.81 11.51 563.7 1,849 260 850
13 Lake Walen N Walensee Glarus, St. Gallen Rhine 24.16 9.33 419.0 1,374.7 150 490
14 Lake Morat N Lac de Morat (Murtensee) Fribourg, Vaud Rhine 22.80 8.80 429.2 1,408 46 151
15 Lake Sempach N Sempachersee Lucerne Rhine 14.36 5.54 503.8 1,653 87 285
16 Sihlsee A Sihlsee Schwyz Rhine 10.72 4.14 889 2,917 23 75
17 Lake Hallwil N Hallwilersee Aargau, Lucerne Rhine 10.21 3.94 448.7 1,472 47 154
18 Lake Gruyère A Lac de la Gruyère Fribourg Rhine 9.60 3.71 677 2,221 75 246
19 Lac de Joux NR Lac de Joux Vaud Rhine 8.77 3.39 1,004 3,294 34 112
20 Greifensee N Greifensee Zurich Rhine 8.17 26.8 435.1 1,427 34 112
21 Lake Sarnen N Sarnersee Obwalden Rhine 7.38 2.85 468.4 1,537 52 171
22 Ägerisee N Ägerisee Zug Rhine 7.25 2.80 723.9 2,375 82 269
23 Lake Baldegg N Baldeggersee Lucerne Rhine 5.24 2.02 463.0 1,519.0 66 217
24 Lago di Livigno A Lago di Livigno Grisons, Italy Danube 4.71 1.82 1,805 5,922 119 390
25 Schiffenensee A Schiffenensee, Lac de Schiffenen Fribourg Rhine 4.25 1.64 532 1,745 38 125
26 Wägitalersee A Wägitalersee Schwyz Rhine 4.18 1.61 900 3,000 65 213
27 Lago di Lei A Lago di Lei Grisons, Italy Rhine 4.12 1.59 1,931 6,335 133 436
28 Lake Sils N Silsersee, Lej da Segl Grisons Danube 4.10 1.58 1,797 5,896 71 233
29 Lac des Dix A Lac des Dix Valais Rhone 3.65 1.41 2,365 7,759 227 745
30 Lake Wohlen A Wohlensee Bern Rhine 3.65 1.41 480 1,570 20 66
31 Lac d'Emosson A Lac d'Emosson Valais Rhone 3.27 10.7 1,930 6,330 161 528
32 Klöntalersee NR Klöntalersee Glarus Rhine 3.18 1.23 847 2,779 47 154
33 Lake Silvaplana N Silvaplanersee, Lej da Silvaplauna Grisons Danube 3.18 1.23 1,790 5,870 77 253
34 Pfäffikersee N Pfäffikersee Zurich Rhine 3.06 1.18 536 1,759 35 115
35 Lake Lauerz N Lauerzersee Schwyz Rhine 3.00 1.16 447 1,467 14 46
36 Grimselsee NR Grimselsee Bern Rhine 2.63 1.02 1,908 6,260 100 330
37 Lake Lungern NR Lungerersee, Lungernsee Obwalden Rhine 2.01 0.78 688 2,257 68 223
38 Lac de Mauvoisin A Lac de Mauvoisin Valais Rhone 2.08 0.80 1,961 6,434 180 590
39 Lago di Poschiavo NR Lago di Poschiavo Grisons Po 1.98 0.76 962 3,156 85 279
40 Lai da Sontga Maria A Lai da Sontga Maria Grisons, Ticino Rhine 1.77 5.8 1,908 6,260 86 282
41 Mattmarksee A Mattmarksee Valais Rhone 1.76 0.68 2,197 7,208 93 305
42 Lago di Vogorno A Lago di Vogorno Ticino Po 1.68 0.65 470 1,540 204 669
43 Lac de Salanfe A Lac de Salanfe Valais Rhone 1.62 0.63 1,925 6,316 48 157
44 Zervreilasee A Zervreilasee Grisons Rhine 1.61 0.62 1,862 6,109 140 460
45 Lac de l'Hongrin A Lac de l'Hongrin Vaud Rhine 1.60 0.62 1,255 4,117 105 344
46 Lago Bianco NR Lago Bianco Grisons Po 1.50 0.58 2,234 7,329 53 174
47 Lago Ritom NR Lago Ritom Ticino Po 1.49 0.58 1,850 6,070 69 226
48 Oberaarsee A Oberaarsee Bern Rhine 1.47 4.8 2,303 7,556 90 300
49 Lai da Marmorera A Lai da Marmorera Grisons Rhine 1.41 0.54 1,680 5,510 65 213
50 Lac de Moiry A Lac de Moiry Valais Rhone 1.40 0.54 2,249 7,379 120 390
51 Limmernsee A Limmernsee Glarus Rhine 1.36 0.53 1,857 6,093 122 400
52 Göscheneralpsee A Göscheneralpsee Uri Rhine 1.32 0.51 1,792 5,879 106 348
53 Lago di Luzzone A Lago di Luzzone Ticino Po 1.27 4.2 1,606 5,269 181 594
54 Albigna lake A Lago da l'Albigna
Lägh da l'Albigna 		Grisons Po 1.26 0.49 2,163 7,096 108 354
55 Oeschinen Lake N Oeschinensee Bern Rhine 1.15 0.44 1,578 5,177 56 184
56 Klingnauer Stausee A Klingnauer Stausee Aargau Rhine 1.11 0.43 318 1,043 8.5 28
57 Lago del Sambuco A Lago del Sambuco Ticino Po 1.11 0.43 1,461 4,793 124 407
58 Lac de Verbois A Lac de Verbois Geneva Rhone 1.01 0.39 369 1,211
59 Lai da Nalps A Lai da Nalps Grisons Rhine 0.90 0.35 1,908 6,260 122 400
60 Lac de Tseuzier A Lac de Tseuzier Valais Rhone 0.83 0.32 1,777 5,830 140 460
61 Sufnersee A Sufnersee Grisons Rhine 0.82 0.32 1,401 4,596 51 167
62 Lai da Curnera A Lai da Curnera Grisons Rhine 0.79 0.31 1,956 6,417 136 446
63 Lake St. Moritz N Lej da San Murezzan, St. Moritzersee Grisons Danube 0.75 0.29 1,768 5,801 42 138
64 Lago del Narèt NR Lago del Narèt Ticino Po 0.73 0.28 2,310 7,580 104 341
65 Flachsee A Flachsee Aargau Rhine 0.71 0.27 380 1,250 7 23
66 Lac des Brenets N Lac des Brenets Neuchâtel, France Rhone 0.70 0.27 750 2,460 26 85
67 Alte Aare N Alte Aare Bern Rhine 0.70 0.27 428 1,404
68 Gigerwaldsee A Gigerwaldsee St. Gallen Rhine 0.69 0.27 1,335 4,380 135 443
69 Lac de Moron A Lac de Moron Neuchâtel, France Rhone 0.69 0.27 716 2,349 59 194
70 Lac de Montsalvens A Lac de Montsalvens Fribourg Rhine 0.66 0.25 801 2,628 50 160
71 Räterichsbodensee A Räterichsbodensee Bern Rhine 0.66 0.25 1,767 5,797 77 253
72 Lac Brenet NR Lac Brenet Vaud Rhine 0.65 0.25 1,002 3,287 18 59
73 Daubensee N Daubensee Valais Rhine 0.64 0.25 2,205 7,234
74 Griessee A Griessee Valais Rhone 0.64 0.25 2,386 7,828 66 217
75 Gelmersee NR Gelmersee Bern Rhine 0.62 0.24 1,850 6,070 42 138
76 Lac des Toules A Lac des Toules Valais Rhone 0.60 0.23 1,810 5,940 75 246
77 Lake Davos NR Davosersee Grisons Rhine 0.57 1.9 1,560 5,120 52 171
78 Lac du Vieux Emosson A Lac du Vieux Emosson Valais Rhone 0.55 0.21 2,205 7,234 42 138
79 Lago di Lucendro NR Lago di Lucendro Ticino Rhine 0.54 0.21 2,135 7,005 96 315
80 Mauensee N Mauensee Lucerne Rhine 0.54 0.21 503 1,650 9 30
81 Melchsee NR Melchsee Obwalden Rhine 0.51 0.20 1,891 6,204 18 59
82 Niederriedsee A Niederriedsee Bern Rhine 0.49 0.19 461 1,512 8 26
83 Türlersee N Türlersee Zurich Rhine 0.49 0.19 643 2,110 22 72
84 Lac de Cleuson A Lac de Cleuson Valais Rhone 0.48 0.19 2,186 7,172 76 249
85 Lac de Bret NR Lac de Bret Vaud Rhone 0.48 0.19 674 2,211 20 66
86 Lago dei Cavagnöö A Lago dei Cavagnöö, Lago di Cavagnoli Ticino Po 0.48 0.19 2,310 7,580 100 330
87 Rotsee N Rotsee Lucerne Rhine 0.47 1.5 419 1,375 16 52
88 Engstlensee NR Engstlensee Bern Rhine 0.46 0.18 1,851 6,073 49 161
89 Lac des Taillères NR Lac des Taillères Neuchâtel Rhine 0.46 0.18 1,040 3,410 7 23
90 Schwarzsee N Schwarzsee Fribourg Rhine 0.45 0.17 1,046 3,432 10 33
91 Lago della Sella NR Lago della Sella Ticino Po 0.45 0.17 2,256 7,402 30 98
92 Arnensee NR Arnensee Bern Rhine 0.45 0.17 1,542 5,059 50 160
93 Lej da Vadret N Laj da Vadret Grisons Danube 0.43 0.17 2,160 7,090
94 Muttsee NR Muttsee Glarus Rhine 0.41 0.16 2,446 8,025 68 223
95 Lac de Biaufond A Lac de Biaufond Jura, Neuchâtel, France Rhone 0.40 0.15 606 1,988 10 33
96 Lago Tremorgio NR Lago Tremorgio Ticino Po 0.40 0.15 1,851 6,073 57 187
97 Lag da Pigniu A Lag da Pigniu, Panixersee Grisons Rhine 0.39 0.15 1,450 4,760 42 138
98 Amsoldingersee N Amsoldingersee Bern Rhine 0.38 0.15 641 2,103 14 46
99 Lago d'Isola A Lago d'Isola Grisons Po 0.36 0.14 1,604 5,262 39 128
100 Lai da Ova Spin A Lai da Ova Spin Grisons Danube 0.35 0.14 1,630 5,350 64 210
101 Hüttwilersee N Hüttwilersee Thurgau Rhine 0.35 0.14 434 1,424 15 49
102 Tannensee NR Tannensee Obwalden Rhine 0.34 0.13 1,976 6,483 21 69
103 Moossee N Moossee Bern Rhine 0.30 0.12 521 1,709 21 69

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

See also

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Notes

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  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

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  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).
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