Serbia

Radoniq Lake

Directions

Liqeni i Radoniqit · Радоњићко језеро · Radonjićko jezero

Radoniq Lake, Radonjić in Serbian, is a reservoir near Gjakova, in Kosovo, and the second largest lake in Kosovo after Gazivoda. It lies below the Accursed Mountains, with a largely undeveloped shore of road, reeds and water.

How it formed

Built between 1977 and 1986, the scheme began to fill in March 1983, with water from the Lumbardhi i Deçanit and the Përrua i Ratishit. It irrigates the dry Dukagjin plain and supplies drinking water to Gjakova, Rahovec, parts of Prizren and the villages around them.

History

A village called Radoniq stood here before the lake was made. It was cleared and flooded when the dam closed, and the lake took its name.

Gallery

3 photos

Photo: Shkumbin Saneja · CC BY 2.0

Photo: Bleron Çaka · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Visit

Getting there

Nearest settlement: Gjakova

Swimming

No reliable information

Tips

The lake is about 11 km from Gjakova on the road towards Deçan, an easy drive through fields and villages. There are no cafés or promenade on the shore, so bring water and snacks. Late afternoon gives the best views of the mountains.

Because this is a drinking-water reservoir, swimming is not permitted. In 2020 the local water company also banned fishing, staying around the lake and driving to it, with penalties, so ask locally what is allowed before you go down to the water.