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Norway · Lakes

Largest Lakes in Norway

Mhisa is the largest of the 8 lakes recorded for Norway, at 391 km², ahead of Foxen at 273 km². The full list follows.

How this list is built: Ranked by mapped surface area. A lake on a border is listed under each country it lies in, with the area of the whole lake. It covers the lakes indexed in YearMaps, drawn from open geospatial data, and is not an exhaustive national register.

Lakes Listed
8
Top Ranked
391 km²
Mhisa
Second
273 km²
Foxen
Profiled Below
6
Photo, encyclopedia text and figures
Largest Lakes in Norway
#NameSurface Area
1Mhisa391 km²
2Foxen273 km²
3Røssvatnet233 km²
4Tyrifjorden134 km²
5Snåsavatnet125 km²
6Yeren96 km²
7Aursund49 km²
8Femunden30 km²

The Lakes of Norway in Detail

The 6 lakes above that have an encyclopedia article, in the same order, each with its photograph, figures and the places around it.

Foxen
Image via Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on the file page).

Foxen

Lake · 273 km²

Foxen is a lake in Sweden and Norway, with a mapped surface area of about 273 km². About 5% of its surface lies in Norway, and the rest in Sweden.

Stora Le or Lesjön in Swedish and Store Le in Norwegian is a lake in Dalsland, Sweden, the northern end of which proceeds into Norway and into Värmland, where it continues as Lake Foxen.

The lake stretches approximately 70 km (43.5 Mi) from Ed in the south past Nössemark to Töcksfors in the north, on Lake Foxen. It is a narrow lake, rarely measuring more than 2 to 3 km (1.2 to 1.9 mi) across, apart from a stretch forming part of Lake Foxen, where it reaches a full 5 km (3.1 mi). Stora Le and Lake Foxen combined cover 131 km2 (51 sq mi). This makes Stora Le the 19th largest lake in Sweden. Its greatest depth is 99 metres (325 ft) to the south of Västra Fågelvik in the Lake Foxen part.

The lake system's level has been controlled since 1945 when the level was raised by 6 dm (2 ft) to 102.1 m (335 ft) above sea level. Lake levels are allowed to vary within a 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) bandwidth. The maximum allowed outtake of water is 80 cubic metres (2,800 cu ft) per second. The lake is reachable by boat through the Dalsland Canal. The lake's shores are mountainous and the forest nearly grows down to the water line. Dalsland's provincial fish the fourhorn sculpin is also found in Stora Le.

Adapted from Wikipedia: Stora Le (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Surface area
273 km²
Area rank
#433 of 756 indexed
Type
Lake
Countries
Sweden, Norway
Coordinates
59.3747°, 11.8692°

Among the 756 water bodies with a mapped extent in YearMaps, Foxen ranks #433 by surface area, after Langa Co (273 km²) and ahead of Koitere (272 km²). Areas are computed from the mapped outline and are approximate.

Settlements on the shore:
Moss (64 km), Bærum (71 km), Tønsberg (77 km)
Watercourses:
Glomma (River), Dalälven (River)
Other water nearby:
Tyrifjorden (134 km²), Femunden (30 km²)

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More about Foxen

Foxen: Key Facts

Key facts about Foxen
Surface area136 km²
Maximum depth99 m
Volume0.95 km³
Surface elevation103 m
InflowsUpperudsälven, Engselva
OutflowsUpperudsälven, Dalsland Canal
Drainage systemUpperudsälven basin

Facts from Wikidata Q126109 (CC0).

Røssvatnet
Image via Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on the file page).

Røssvatnet

Lake · 233 km²

Røssvatnet is a lake in Norway, with a mapped surface area of about 233 km².

Røsvatnet (Norwegian) or Reevhtse (Southern Sami) is a lake and reservoir in Hattfjelldal Municipality and Hemnes Municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It has been the site of human occupation since the Stone Age. Its area of 219 square kilometres (85 sq mi) makes it the second largest lake in Norway by surface area. Without the dam which has regulated the lake since 1957, it would be 190 square kilometres (73 sq mi) and the third largest lake in Norway. Its depth is 240 metres (790 ft), its volume is estimated at 15 cubic kilometres (3.6 cu mi), and its surface elevation is 374 metres (1,227 ft) above sea level.

Adapted from Wikipedia: Røsvatnet (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Surface area
233 km²
Area rank
#465 of 756 indexed
Type
Lake
Country
Norway
Coordinates
65.6996°, 14.0281°

Among the 756 water bodies with a mapped extent in YearMaps, Røssvatnet ranks #465 by surface area, after Ossokmanuan Lake (233 km²) and ahead of Ozero Teletskoye (232 km²). Areas are computed from the mapped outline and are approximate.

Settlements on the shore:
Mo i Rana (69 km), Bodø (173 km), Östersund (281 km)
Watercourses:
Indalsälven (River), Kalix (River)
Other water nearby:
Storuman (234 km²), Hornavan (167 km²)

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More about Røssvatnet

Røssvatnet: Key Facts

Key facts about Røssvatnet
Surface area218 km²
Maximum depth231 m
Surface elevation383 m
OutflowsRøssåga
Drainage systemRøssågavassdraget

Facts from Wikidata Q1352298 (CC0).

Tyrifjorden
Image via Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on the file page).

Tyrifjorden

Lake · 134 km²

Tyrifjorden is a lake in Norway, with a mapped surface area of about 134 km².

Tyrifjorden (Lake Tyri) is a lake in Norway. It lies 40 kilometres (25 mi) northwest of Oslo and is the nation's fifth largest lake with an area of 138.56 km2. It has a volume of 13 km3, is 295 meters deep at its deepest, and lies 63 meters above sea level. The lake's primary source is the Begna river, which discharges into Tyrifjorden at Hønefoss where the river forms the waterfall of Hønefossen. Its primary outlet is at Vikersund near the lake's southwest corner, where Tyrifjorden discharges into the Drammenselva river.

Adapted from Wikipedia: Tyrifjorden (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Surface area
134 km²
Area rank
#575 of 756 indexed
Type
Lake
Country
Norway
Coordinates
60.0461°, 10.1244°

Among the 756 water bodies with a mapped extent in YearMaps, Tyrifjorden ranks #575 by surface area, after Ozero Sobachye (135 km²) and ahead of Ozero Gusinoye (132 km²). Areas are computed from the mapped outline and are approximate.

Settlements on the shore:
Drammen (32 km), Oslo (37 km), Bærum (70 km)
Watercourses:
Vorma (River), Glomma (River)
Other water nearby:
Foxen (273 km²), Vänern (5,856 km²)

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More about Tyrifjorden

Location

Tyrifjorden is located in the county of Buskerud and borders the municipalities of Hole, Lier, Modum, and Ringerike. Tyrifjorden is a landlocked fjord. It consists of a main body, Storfjorden, along with the Holsfjorden, Nordfjorden, and Steinsfjorden branches.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Tyrifjorden (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Tyrifjorden: Key Facts

Key facts about Tyrifjorden
Surface area139 km²
Maximum depth295 m
Surface elevation63 m
InflowsHenåa, Skjærdalselva, Storelva, Sogna
OutflowsDrammenselva

Facts from Wikidata Q696445 (CC0).

Snåsavatnet
Image via Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on the file page).

Snåsavatnet

Lake · 125 km²

Snåsavatnet is a lake in Norway, with a mapped surface area of about 125 km².

Snåsavatnet (Urban East Norwegian: [ˈsnòːsɑˌvɑtnə]; English: Lake Snåsa) is Norway's sixth-largest lake. The 126-square-kilometre (49 sq mi) lake is located in Steinkjer Municipality and Snåsa Municipality in Trøndelag county, Norway. The villages of Følling and Sunnan lie at the southwestern end of the lake and the village of Snåsa lies at the northeastern end of the lake. European route E6 runs along the northern shore of the lake and the Nordland Line railway runs along the southern shore.

The lake is approximately 40 km (25 mi) long and on average about 3 km (1.9 mi) wide. The surface of the lake is only 22 m (72 ft) above sea level, and it reaches depths of up to 186 m (610 ft). Its deepest area reaches; 164 m (538 ft) below sea level. The lake was created by glacial erosion. As it is seen on a map, the lake looks like an extension of the Trondheim Fjord. The outlet is the river Byaelva, which empties into the Beitstadfjorden (an arm of the Trondheim Fjord) in the city of Steinkjer.

Adapted from Wikipedia: Snåsavatnet (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Surface area
125 km²
Area rank
#584 of 756 indexed
Type
Lake
Country
Norway
Coordinates
64.1980°, 12.1316°

Among the 756 water bodies with a mapped extent in YearMaps, Snåsavatnet ranks #584 by surface area, after Lake Louise (126 km²) and ahead of Lac du Bonnet (124 km²). Areas are computed from the mapped outline and are approximate.

Settlements on the shore:
Trondheim (121 km), Östersund (168 km), Mo i Rana (254 km)
Watercourses:
Indalsälven (River), Glomma (River)
Other water nearby:
Storsjön (506 km²), Aursund (49 km²)

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More about Snåsavatnet

Snåsavatnet: Key Facts

Key facts about Snåsavatnet
Surface area122 km²
Maximum depth121 m
Surface elevation22 m

Facts from Wikidata Q1777782 (CC0).

Aursund
Image via Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on the file page).

Aursund

Lake · 49 km²

Aursund is a lake in Norway, with a mapped surface area of about 49 km².

Aursunden is a lake in Røros Municipality in Trøndelag county, Norway. The village of Brekken lies along the eastern shore and the village of Glåmos lies along the western shore.

There are several inflows to the 46-square-kilometre (18 sq mi) lake including the lakes Rien, Riasten, and Bolagen. The outflow is regulated by a hydropower dam through which water passes into the river Glomma. The lake is about 22 kilometres (14 mi) long and about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) wide. The deepest part of the lake reaches a depth of 52 metres (171 ft).

Aursunden is often cited as the source of the river Glomma, the longest and largest river in Norway. The actual headwaters are near Aursunden near the start of the Glommadal valley. The locals claim that the headwater of the Glomma river is Mustjønna, a tiny lake about 30 kilometres (19 mi) north of Aursunden.

Adapted from Wikipedia: Aursunden (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Surface area
49 km²
Area rank
#713 of 756 indexed
Type
Lake
Country
Norway
Coordinates
62.6780°, 11.6600°

Among the 756 water bodies with a mapped extent in YearMaps, Aursund ranks #713 by surface area, after Mitchell Lake (50 km²) and ahead of Ozero Bolshoy Shishkarym (49 km²). Areas are computed from the mapped outline and are approximate.

Settlements on the shore:
Trondheim (103 km), Östersund (161 km), Hamar (209 km)
Watercourses:
Glomma (River), Vorma (River)
Other water nearby:
Femunden (30 km²), Storsjön (506 km²)

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More about Aursund

Aursund: Key Facts

Key facts about Aursund
Surface area46.4 km²
Maximum depth60 m
Surface elevation691 m
InflowsGlomma
OutflowsGlomma
Drainage systemGlomma basin

Facts from Wikidata Q777416 (CC0).

Femunden
Image via Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on the file page).

Femunden

Lake · 30 km²

Femunden is a lake in Norway, with a mapped surface area of about 30 km².

Femunden is Norway's third largest lake and the second largest natural lake in Norway. It is located in Innlandet and Trøndelag counties in Norway, just 13 km (8.1 mi) west of the border with Sweden. The lake lies primarily in Engerdal Municipality (in Innlandet) and also smaller parts are located in Os Municipality (Innlandet) and Røros Municipality (Trøndelag). Femundsmarka National Park borders the northeastern part of the lake.

The 203.4-square-kilometre (78.5 sq mi) lake holds about 6 km3 (1.4 cu mi) of water and reaches a maximum depth of 150 m (490 ft). The surface of the lake sits about 662 m (2,172 ft) above sea level.

Adapted from Wikipedia: Femunden (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Surface area
30 km²
Area rank
#738 of 756 indexed
Type
Lake
Country
Norway
Coordinates
62.0187°, 11.7642°

Among the 756 water bodies with a mapped extent in YearMaps, Femunden ranks #738 by surface area, after Lauwerszee (31 km²) and ahead of Ozero Isinginskoye (29 km²). Areas are computed from the mapped outline and are approximate.

Settlements on the shore:
Hamar (138 km), Gjøvik (147 km), Trondheim (170 km)
Watercourses:
Glomma (River), Vorma (River)
Other water nearby:
Aursund (49 km²), Storsjön (506 km²)

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More about Femunden

History

After Sweden had conquered the parishes of Idre and Särna in 1644, the lake Femunden was considered to be part of the border between Norway and Sweden. But this was never officially recognised by the Dano-Norwegian government (since Norway was ruled from Copenhagen in the early modern age), and during border adjustments in 1751 the Femundsmarka area east of the lake was granted to Norway from Sweden.

The new (and current) border from 1751 is quite special: For a length of 61 kilometres (38 mi), it makes a completely straight line between the summits of the 1,002-metre (3,287 ft) tall mountain Våndsjögusten and the 1,185-metre (3,888 ft) tall mountain Østerhogna. Straight-line national borders are very unusual in Scandinavia, except in the very northernmost parts.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Femunden (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Femunden: Key Facts

Key facts about Femunden
Surface area203 km²
Maximum depth132 m
Volume6 km³
Surface elevation664 m
InflowsRøa
Drainage systemTrysilelva basin

Facts from Wikidata Q1324437 (CC0).

More on Norway

Quick Answers

What is the largest lake in Norway?
Mhisa, at 391 km². Foxen is second at 273 km². Rankings cover the lakes indexed in YearMaps.
How many lakes are there in Norway?
YearMaps lists 8 lakes for Norway. This is the number mapped in the atlas, not an official national count.