Lake Skadar FPL: ZZZZ N421540 E0190748 is the largest lake in the Balkan Peninsula with a surface area that seasonally fluctuates between 370 km2 (140 sq mi) and 530 km2 (200 sq mi).
The lake's water level also varies seasonally from 4.7 to 9.8 m above sea level. The lake extends in the NW-SE direction, and it is approximately 44 km long.[1]
The Bojana River connects the lake with the Adriatic Sea, and the Drin River provides a link with the Ohrid Lake.[1] The lake is a cryptodepression, filled by the river Morača and drained into the Adriatic by the 41 km (25 mi) long Bojana (Albanian: Buna), which forms the international border on the lower half of its length. The largest inflow is from the Morača, which provides about 62% of the lake's water. Total drainage area is 5490 km2.
There are additionally some fresh water sources at the lake bottom. A characteristic feature of Lake Skadar's water balance is the high inflow from a number of temporary and permanent karstic springs, some of which are sublacustrine in cryptodepressians (so called ‘oko’). The Southern and southwestern sides of the lake are rocky, barren and steep, having bays in which the sublacustrine springs, are usually to be found.[1] On the northern side there is an enormous inundated area, the boundaries of which change as water levels fluctuate.
Some small islands like Beška, with two churches on it and Grmožur, a former fortress and prison can be found on the southwestern side of the lake.
The climate type is hot-summer Mediterranean climate with dry summers (Csa), under Köppen climate classification. LocationAlbania–Montenegro border
Coordinates 42°10′N19°19′E Coordinates: 42°10′N19°19′E
Primary outflows Bojana Basin countries Albania, Montenegro
Max. length 44 km (27 mi) Max. width 14 km (8.7 mi) Surface area 370–530 km2 (140–200 sq mi) Average depth 5.01 m (16.4 ft) Max. depth 8.3 m (27 ft) 44 m (144 ft)
Water volume 1,931.62×106 m3 (68.215×109 cu ft)
Shore length 1207 km (129 mi) is total length of coastline (including islands).
Surface elevation 6 m (20 ft)
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