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List of lakes of Iceland

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Iceland has over 20 lakes larger than 10 km2 (4 sq mi), and at least 40 others varying between 2.5 and 10 km2 (1 to 4 sq mi) in size. This list also includes a few smaller lakes and ponds that are considered notable (for example Tjörnin in Reykjavik). The figures for many of the smaller lakes are unreliable. Also, some larger lakes vary considerably in size between years or seasons or, for the reservoirs, according to the needs of power plants. Some power plant reservoirs may not be present despite being larger than listed lakes.

Larger lakes (>10 km2)

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Name Volume Area Depth Notes
Gigalitres Billion cu ft km2 mi2 m ft
Þórisvatn 330 12 83–86 32–33 109 358 Hydroelectric reservoir, south central Iceland
Þingvallavatn 286 10.1 84 32 114 374 Named for Þingvellir, site of ancient parliament
Hálslón 210 7.4 57 22 180 590 Reservoir for the Kárahnjúkar Hydropower Plant. [1][2] The maximum depth of 180 m is reached in late summer when the reservoir fills up and excess water starts to flow over through the spillway. In winter, the surface elevation, and thus the maximum depth, of the lake drops by approximately 45 m. In a very dry year a further drop of 20 m is expected, meaning that the depth of the lake at its deepest point can vary between 115 m and 180 m.[1]
Blöndulón 50 1.8 57 22 39 128 Hydroelectric reservoir, N Iceland, named for R Blanda
Lagarfljót (Lögurinn) 53 20 112 367 Hydroelectric reservoir, largest lake in E Iceland and the largest longitudinal lake in Iceland
in a valley probably arising from a geological fault;
fed by meltwater from Vatnajökull
Hágöngulón 37 14 [3] 16 52 [4] Natural lake in Highlands, again fed by meltwater from Vatnajökull
Mývatn 37 14 4.5 15 Tourist and ornithological honeypot, N Iceland
Hóp 29–44 11–17 8.5 28 Tidal lagoon on the bay Húnaflói in N Iceland (area varies tidally)
Hvítárvatn 30 12 84 276 Natural lake in the Highlands, fed by meltwater from Langjökull to which it is adjacent
Langisjór 26 10 75 246 Another longitudinal lake fed by meltwater from Vatnajökull
Kvíslavatn 150 5.3 20 7.7 Another lake in the Highlands, but unusual in that it is in a low-lying flat area and is marshy in nature. One of the sources of the Þjórsá.
Sultartangalón 116 4.1 19 7.3 Reservoir further down the Þjórsá valley
Jökulsárlón 18 6.9 248 814[2] (Iceland's deepest)(1999 estimate - size and depth increasing because of glacier melting)
Glacial lagoon
Grænalón 18 6.9
Skorradalsvatn 15 5.8 48 157
Sigöldulón 195 6.9 14 5.4 (also known as "Krókslón")
Apavatn 13–14 5.0–5.4
Heiðarlón 13.5 5.2 51 167 [5] This is a planned hydroelectric reservoir near the mouth of the Þjórsá.
Svínavatn 12 4.6 39 128
Öskjuvatn 11 4.2 220 720
Vesturhópsvatn 10 3.9 28 92 In N Iceland near Hóp (see above)
Höfðavatn 10 3.9 6 20 Coastal lagoon in N Iceland
Grímsvötn A lake that forms in the caldera of the subglacial volcano of the same name. On one theory, the meaning of the name is "Odin’s lake", although several other explanations are possible, given that Grímur is a common man's name in Iceland.[3]
Hestvatn Small reservoir in SW Iceland (6 km2)


("Horse lake")

Smaller lakes (<10 km2)

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Guðrún Jóhannesdóttir, ed. (2011). "Hálslón". Áhættuskoðun almannavarna, Lögreglustjórinn á Seyðisfirði (PDF) (in Icelandic) (1.0 ed.). Ríkislögreglustjórinn, Almannavarnadeild. p. 10. Archived from the original (pdf) on 16 March 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  2. ^ "Jökulsárlón orðið dýpsta vatn landsins". July 1, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  3. ^ Svavar Sigmundsson (27 May 2011). "Hvaðan kemur heitið á Grímsvötnum og Grímsfjalli?" [What is the origin of the names of Grímsvötn and Grímsfjall?]. Vísindavefurinn. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
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