North Macedonia · Southwestern Region

Debar Lake

Directions

Дебарско Езеро · Debarsko Ezero · Liqeni i Dibrës

Debar Lake is an artificial lake in the western part of North Macedonia, near the town of Debar after which it is named. A dam at Špilje blocks the Black Drin, the second longest river in the country, and the lake was created in the late 1960s when that dam was raised. It covers about 13.2 km² at an altitude of 580 m, is around 15 km long and up to 3 km wide, and is among the largest lakes in North Macedonia.

How it formed

The dam at Špilje was raised to 102 m between 1966 and 1968, in a major hydroelectric project that created the lake. It links the Black Drin and the Radika, and it lies at the edge of the town of Debar.

Gallery

3 photos

Photo: Dean Lazarevski · CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Elen Schurova · CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: Römert · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Visit

Getting there

Nearest settlement: Debar

Swimming

No reliable information

Tips

The lake is a popular summer place for swimming, water sports and fishing, but services are aimed at local people and there is little information for foreign visitors, so ask in Debar town to arrange anything on the water. Swimming is generally practised in summer near the beaches and recreation areas; be cautious away from them because of the depth and the dam.

A tour operator offers guided kayak trips with secluded swimming coves. May to September is the best window, and a car is the practical way to get around. St Jovan Bigorski monastery is nearby, where modest dress is expected.