Information
Landmark: Komani lakeCity: Prizren
Country: Kosovo
Continent: Europe
Komani lake, Prizren, Kosovo, Europe
Overview
Koman Lake (Albanian: Liqeni i Komanit) is a striking man‑made lake set deep in the Albanian Alps of northern Albania, in the rugged Shkodra region where the water glints a bright, glassy green.The Koman Dam rose on the Drin River in the 1980s, flooding the valley as part of an ambitious hydroelectric project.Steep mountains rise around the lake’s clear turquoise waters, a view so striking it’s earned a reputation as one of Albania’s hidden gems.The Koman Dam, finished in 1986, created the lake, its steel gates holding back a wide sweep of deep green water.The dam’s main roles are generating hydroelectric power and supplying water for irrigation, and it’s part of a chain of dams along the Drin River-along with Vau i Dejës and Fierza-that help control the river’s flow and keep the region’s lights on.As a vital piece of Albania’s energy network, it feeds a significant share of the country’s electricity.Koman Lake, resting in the northern Albanian Alps at the base of the jagged Accursed Mountains, spreads over roughly 35 square kilometers and runs about 20 kilometers through the Drin River’s basin.Sheer limestone cliffs rise above its brilliant turquoise water, while steep valleys and dense green forests frame views that glow gold at sunrise.Scattered islands, sheltered bays, and winding inlets dot the lake, attracting birdlife, fish, wild plants, and anyone with a camera or a love for wild places.The Albanian Alps lie within a protected national park and rank among Europe’s richest havens for wildlife.On Koman Lake, one of the top draws is a boat tour, where the water glints like glass under the morning sun.Most tours set out from the Koman Dam, winding through the lake’s tight, green-lined channels and opening onto sweeping views of jagged cliffs and towering mountains.Boats also link the lake to towns like Shkodra and Fierza, serving as a lifeline for travel in northern Albania.The rough, untamed terrain around Koman Lake makes it perfect for hiking and trekking.Several trails wind through the hills, opening up to sweeping views of the lake and the jagged mountain ranges beyond.Theth and Valbona Valley National Parks sit close by, offering even more ways to explore the outdoors.You can swim in the lake’s crystal-clear water, though it’s icy in spring and autumn, and anglers often cast lines for trout and other local fish.Around Koman Lake, small rural communities still follow traditional Albanian mountain ways, their stone houses tucked into the quiet landscape.The lake and its shores play a key role in local farming, providing water for irrigation and routes for transporting crops.Scattered nearby are weathered stone bridges and old temples that speak to the area’s deep cultural and historical roots.For instance, the nearby village of Vermosh showcases classic Albanian stone houses, while Theth and Valbona reveal the past through weathered churches and centuries-old buildings.You can reach Koman Lake by road from Shkodra, the closest major city, though the steep, winding mountain route makes the trip a demanding one.From Shkodra, you can head to Koman Village and hop on a boat to glide across the lake, where the water shimmers like glass in the morning light.Ferries here aren’t just for sightseeing-they’re a lifeline for locals getting from one shore to the other.They link remote villages with bustling towns and cities, turning Koman Lake into a vital artery in northern Albania’s transport network.Often called “the Albanian fjords” for its steep, green cliffs that plunge into blue water, the lake has been drawing growing interest from travelers and filmmakers captivated by its striking beauty.Featured in travel documentaries and news reports as one of Albania’s must-see spots, Koman Lake carries the legacy of the massive Koman Dam project-built during the communist era to drive industrial growth and power the nation.Its glassy turquoise waters draw visitors from around the world, but increased tourism brings worries about waste and harm to fragile local ecosystems.In response, Albania has been working to promote sustainable tourism, protecting the lake’s striking scenery, rugged hillsides, and cultural treasures so they endure for generations.Glide across Koman Lake’s turquoise waters, trek the rugged mountain trails, or pause to breathe in the crisp, pine-scented air-whatever you choose, the place leaves nature lovers and thrill seekers with memories they won’t forget.
