List of 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 Template:Convert, 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 Template:Convert of shores within the country.<ref group="Nb">Approximately (see coastline paradox) Template:Convert counting only the 17 lakes over Template:Convert (length retrieved from the Google Earth geographical information program).</ref> 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 Template:Convert are Lake Maggiore and Lake Lucerne. In total 103 lakes exist that are more than Template:Convert 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,<ref group="Nb">The remaining basin (the Adige) being marginal and comporting only small lakes (of which the largest is Lai da Rims).</ref> at almost all elevations below the permanent snow line.

Many lakes are navigable and include recreational boat lines, such as Lake Constance (URh), Lake Geneva (CGN), Lake Lucerne (SGV), Lake Lugano (SNL), Lake Walen (Schiffsbetrieb Walensee) and Lake Zurich (ZSG).

Distribution

There are several thousand lakes in Switzerland, with estimations up to 7000,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> although those include very small water bodies, traditionally referred to as "lakes".<ref group="Nb">For example, the Blausee ("blue lake"), the Märjelensee ("Märjelen lake"), and the Schwarzsee ("black lake") are smaller than one hectare in surface area.</ref> 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.<ref group="Nb">The cantons of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, and Solothun do not appear in this list.</ref> 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<ref group="Nb">See List of mountain lakes of Switzerland for a more detailed distribution.</ref>			By max. depth				Total	Lakes per Template:Convert
	<Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	>Template:Convert	<Template:Convert	Template:Convert	>Template:Convert	<Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	>Template:Convert
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

Rank	Name	Type* <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Local names	Canton(s), neighboring countries	River basin	Area		Elevation		Max. depth
			km2<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation				CitationClass=web }}</ref>	mi2	m	ft	m	ft
1	Template:Sort	N	Lac Léman, Lac de Genève	Geneva, Vaud, Valais, France	Rhone	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
2	Template:Sort	N	Bodensee	St. Gallen, Thurgau, Austria, Germany	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
3	Template:Sort	N	Lac de Neuchâtel, Neuenburgersee	Bern, Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Vaud	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
4	Template:Sort	N	Verbano, Lago Maggiore	Ticino, Italy	Po	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
5	Template:Sort	N	Vierwaldstättersee	Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schwyz, Uri	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
6	Template:Sort	N	Zürichsee	St. Gallen, Schwyz, Zurich	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
7	Untersee	N	Untersee	Schaffhausen, Thurgau, Germany	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
8	Template:Sort	N	Ceresio, Lago di Lugano	Ticino, Italy	Po	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
9	Template:Sort	N	Thunersee	Bern	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
10	Template:Sort	N	Lac de Bienne, Bielersee	Bern, Neuchâtel	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
11	Template:Sort	N	Zugersee	Lucerne, Schwyz, Zug	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
12	Template:Sort	N	Brienzersee	Bern	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
13	Template:Sort	N	Walensee	Glarus, St. Gallen	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
14	Template:Sort	N	Lac de Morat (Murtensee)	Fribourg, Vaud	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
15	Template:Sort	N	Sempachersee	Lucerne	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
16	Sihlsee	A	Sihlsee	Schwyz	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
17	Template:Sort	N	Hallwilersee	Aargau, Lucerne	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
18	Template:Sort	A	Lac de la Gruyère	Fribourg	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
19	Template:Sort	NR	Lac de Joux	Vaud	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
20	Greifensee	N	Greifensee	Zurich	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
21	Template:Sort	N	Sarnersee	Obwalden	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
22	Template:Sort	N	Ägerisee	Zug	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
23	Template:Sort	N	Baldeggersee	Lucerne	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
24	Template:Sort	A	Lago di Livigno	Grisons, Italy	Danube	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
25	Schiffenensee	A	Schiffenensee, Lac de Schiffenen	Fribourg	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
26	Wägitalersee	A	Wägitalersee	Schwyz	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
27	Template:Sort	A	Lago di Lei	Grisons, Italy	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
28	Template:Sort	N	Silsersee, Lej da Segl	Grisons	Danube	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
29	Template:Sort	A	Lac des Dix	Valais	Rhone	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
30	Template:Sort	A	Wohlensee	Bern	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
31	Template:Sort	A	Lac d'Emosson	Valais	Rhone	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
32	Klöntalersee	NR	Klöntalersee	Glarus	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
33	Template:Sort	N	Silvaplanersee, Lej da Silvaplauna	Grisons	Danube	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
34	Pfäffikersee	N	Pfäffikersee	Zurich	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
35	Template:Sort	N	Lauerzersee	Schwyz	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
36	Grimselsee	NR	Grimselsee	Bern	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
37	Template:Sort	NR	Lungerersee, Lungernsee	Obwalden	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
38	Template:Sort	A	Lac de Mauvoisin	Valais	Rhone	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
39	Template:Sort	NR	Lago di Poschiavo	Grisons	Po	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
40	Template:Sort	A	Lai da Sontga Maria	Grisons, Ticino	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
41	Mattmarksee	A	Mattmarksee	Valais	Rhone	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
42	Template:Sort	A	Lago di Vogorno	Ticino	Po	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
43	Template:Sort	A	Lac de Salanfe	Valais	Rhone	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
44	Zervreilasee	A	Zervreilasee	Grisons	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
45	Template:Sort	A	Lac de l'Hongrin	Vaud	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
46	Template:Sort	NR	Lago Bianco	Grisons	Po	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
47	Template:Sort	NR	Lago Ritom	Ticino	Po	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
48	Oberaarsee	A	Oberaarsee	Bern	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
49	Template:Sort	A	Lai da Marmorera	Grisons	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
50	Template:Sort	A	Lac de Moiry	Valais	Rhone	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
51	Limmernsee	A	Limmernsee	Glarus	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
52	Göscheneralpsee	A	Göscheneralpsee	Uri	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
53	Template:Sort	A	Lago di Luzzone	Ticino	Po	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
54	Albigna lake	A	Lago da l'Albigna Lägh da l'Albigna	Grisons	Po	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
55	Oeschinen Lake	N	Oeschinensee	Bern	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
56	Klingnauer Stausee	A	Klingnauer Stausee	Aargau	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
57	Template:Sort	A	Lago del Sambuco	Ticino	Po	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
58	Template:Sort	A	Lac de Verbois	Geneva	Rhone	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
59	Template:Sort	A	Lai da Nalps	Grisons	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
60	Template:Sort	A	Lac de Tseuzier	Valais	Rhone	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
61	Sufnersee	A	Sufnersee	Grisons	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
62	Template:Sort	A	Lai da Curnera	Grisons	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
63	Template:Sort	N	Lej da San Murezzan, St. Moritzersee	Grisons	Danube	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
64	Template:Sort	NR	Lago del Narèt	Ticino	Po	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
65	Flachsee	A	Flachsee	Aargau	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
66	Template:Sort	N	Lac des Brenets	Neuchâtel, France	Rhone	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
67	Alte Aare	N	Alte Aare	Bern	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
68	Gigerwaldsee	A	Gigerwaldsee	St. Gallen	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
69	Template:Sort	A	Lac de Moron	Neuchâtel, France	Rhone	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
70	Template:Sort	A	Lac de Montsalvens	Fribourg	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
71	Räterichsbodensee	A	Räterichsbodensee	Bern	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
72	Template:Sort	NR	Lac Brenet	Vaud	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
73	Daubensee	N	Daubensee	Valais	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
74	Griessee	A	Griessee	Valais	Rhone	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
75	Gelmersee	NR	Gelmersee	Bern	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
76	Template:Sort	A	Lac des Toules	Valais	Rhone	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
77	Template:Sort	NR	Davosersee	Grisons	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
78	Template:Sort	A	Lac du Vieux Emosson	Valais	Rhone	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
79	Template:Sort	NR	Lago di Lucendro	Ticino	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
80	Mauensee	N	Mauensee	Lucerne	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
81	Melchsee	NR	Melchsee	Obwalden	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
82	Niederriedsee	A	Niederriedsee	Bern	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
83	Türlersee	N	Türlersee	Zurich	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
84	Template:Sort	A	Lac de Cleuson	Valais	Rhone	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
85	Template:Sort	NR	Lac de Bret	Vaud	Rhone	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
86	Template:Sort	A	Lago dei Cavagnöö, Lago di Cavagnoli	Ticino	Po	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
87	Rotsee	N	Rotsee	Lucerne	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
88	Engstlensee	NR	Engstlensee	Bern	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
89	Template:Sort	NR	Lac des Taillères	Neuchâtel	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
90	Schwarzsee	N	Schwarzsee	Fribourg	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
91	Template:Sort	NR	Lago della Sella	Ticino	Po	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
92	Arnensee	NR	Arnensee	Bern	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
93	Template:Sort	N	Laj da Vadret	Grisons	Danube	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
94	Muttsee	NR	Muttsee	Glarus	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
95	Template:Sort	A	Lac de Biaufond	Jura, Neuchâtel, France	Rhone	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
96	Template:Sort	NR	Lago Tremorgio	Ticino	Po	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
97	Template:Sort	A	Lag da Pigniu, Panixersee	Grisons	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
98	Amsoldingersee	N	Amsoldingersee	Bern	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
99	Template:Sort	A	Lago d'Isola	Grisons	Po	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
100	Template:Sort	A	Lai da Ova Spin	Grisons	Danube	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
101	Hüttwilersee	N	Hüttwilersee	Thurgau	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
102	Tannensee	NR	Tannensee	Obwalden	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
103	Moossee	N	Moossee	Bern	Rhine	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert

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

See also

• Hydrology of Switzerland
• List of rivers of Switzerland
• List of glaciers of Switzerland
• List of islands of Switzerland
• Fishing industry in Switzerland
• Category:Lakes of Switzerland by canton
• Italian Lakes – group of lakes on the Italian border

External links

• Template:Commons category-inline
• Lakes, MySwitzerland.com