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Due to favorable weather conditions, significant tectonic subsidence, karst development, and coastal dynamics, Albania boasts numerous natural and human-made lakes, with varying geographical characteristics, from altitude to water flow, geology, and climate. These features contribute to the specific morphometric elements, water balance, hydrochemical and optical regime of each lake, making classification challenging. Lakes are typically classified based on the origin of the lake basin which plays a crucial role in determining its fundamental geographical characteristics. The country is home to 247 natural lakes and more than 800 artificial lakes. The natural lakes, mostly formed as a result of karstic or glacial processes,^[2] are classified as follows: 4 tectonic, 134 proglacial, 94 karst and 15 oxbow. Lagoons are present along the coastal region, covering an area of 150 km² (58 sq mi).^[3]

Natural lakes

Ramsar wetland or a marine protected area

Part of a national park

Tectonic lakes

No.	Lake	Surface area	Max. depth
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)

Lagoons

No.	Lagoon	Surface area	Max. depth
1	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	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 include Lura Lakes, Lake Sheep, Lake Gistova, Lake Gramë, Lake Buni Jezercë, Lake Dash, Lake Sylbicë, Lake Dhënve, Lake Sope and Lake Malik, which was drained by government's decision.

Artificial lakes

Part of a nature park or nature reserve

No.	Lake	Surface area	Max. depth
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)