The most important lakes in the
Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands ( ), or simply the Faroes ( fo, Føroyar ; da, Færøerne ), are a North Atlantic island group and an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.
They are located north-northwest of Scotland, and about halfway bet ...
are
Sørvágsvatn
Sørvágsvatn is the largest lake in the Faroe Islands. It is situated on the island of Vágar between the municipalities of Sørvágur and Vágar. Its area is 3.4 km2, more than three times the size of Fjallavatn, the second largest lake, a ...
on
Vágar
Vágar ( da, Vågø) is one of the 18 islands in the archipelago of the Faroe Islands and the most westerly of the ''large islands''. With a size of , it ranks number three, behind Streymoy and Eysturoy. Vágar region also comprises the island ...
,
Fjallavatn also on
Vágar
Vágar ( da, Vågø) is one of the 18 islands in the archipelago of the Faroe Islands and the most westerly of the ''large islands''. With a size of , it ranks number three, behind Streymoy and Eysturoy. Vágar region also comprises the island ...
, Sandsvatn on
Sandoy
Sandoy ("Sand Island") is the first of the five southern islands that make up the Faroe chain, the fifth biggest of all the Faroe Islands, an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Denmark. It also refers to the region that includes this island alon ...
, Lake Eiði on
Eysturoy
Eysturoy (pronounced estroimeaning 'East Island') is a region and the second-largest of the Faroe Islands, both in size and population.
Description
Eysturoy is separated by a narrow sound from the main island of Streymoy. Eysturoy is extremely ...
and Lake Toftir on
Eysturoy
Eysturoy (pronounced estroimeaning 'East Island') is a region and the second-largest of the Faroe Islands, both in size and population.
Description
Eysturoy is separated by a narrow sound from the main island of Streymoy. Eysturoy is extremely ...
. There are many other smaller lakes across the whole country, most of them used for leisure fishing. Some of the lakes are also used for electricity production, and especially Lake Eiði near
Eiði
Eiði (''Northern Faroese'' ɔiːjɪ) is a village located on the north-west tip of Eysturoy in the Faroe Islands. It is the seat of Eiði Municipality. It is located 4 km north of Ljósá and 6.5 km west of Funningur.
History
Eiði was first ...
and the water systems around
Vestmanna
Vestmanna is a town in the Faroe Islands on the west of the island of Streymoy.
It was formerly a ferry port, until an undersea tunnel, the Vágatunnilin, was built from Vágar to Kvívík and Stykkið further south on Streymoy. The cliffs west ...
are important in this context. Also in
Strond
Strond is a former village in the north of the town of Klaksvík on the sound of Haraldssund in the Faroe Islands.
It is situated on Borðoy on the causeway connecting Borðoy and Kunoy. Since 1930 no people have lived there. There is a power p ...
on
Borðoy
Borðoy ( da, Bordø) is an island in the north-east of the Faroe Islands. Its name means 'headland island'. There are eight settlements: Klaksvík (the second largest town in the Faroes), Norðoyri, Ánir, Árnafjørður, Strond, Norðtoftir, ...
and at
Botnur in
Suðuroy
Suðuroy (literally South Island, da, Suderø) is the southernmost of the Faroe Islands. The island covers 163.7 square kilometres (63.2 sq mi). In 2018 the population was 4,601. Suðuroy region (sýsla) comprises this island and Lítla ...
there are important power-plants.
The 10 largest lakes in the Faroe Islands (natural sizes)
* 1.
Sørvágsvatn
Sørvágsvatn is the largest lake in the Faroe Islands. It is situated on the island of Vágar between the municipalities of Sørvágur and Vágar. Its area is 3.4 km2, more than three times the size of Fjallavatn, the second largest lake, a ...
,
Vágar
Vágar ( da, Vågø) is one of the 18 islands in the archipelago of the Faroe Islands and the most westerly of the ''large islands''. With a size of , it ranks number three, behind Streymoy and Eysturoy. Vágar region also comprises the island ...
, 3.57 km² (This lake has two names, the other name is Leitisvatn)
* 2.
Fjallavatn,
Vágar
Vágar ( da, Vågø) is one of the 18 islands in the archipelago of the Faroe Islands and the most westerly of the ''large islands''. With a size of , it ranks number three, behind Streymoy and Eysturoy. Vágar region also comprises the island ...
, 1.03 km²
* 3.
Sandsvatn
The Sandsvatn is the largest lake on the island of Sandoy and the third largest in the Faroe Islands, measuring 0.8 km2 with a depth of 5 metres. It is situated in a valley between Skopun and Sandur, just north of the latter on Road 30. At ...
,
Sandoy
Sandoy ("Sand Island") is the first of the five southern islands that make up the Faroe chain, the fifth biggest of all the Faroe Islands, an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Denmark. It also refers to the region that includes this island alon ...
, 0.82 km²
* 4.
Lake Toftir
Lake Toftir ( fo, Toftavatn) is a lake on the island of Eysturoy in the Faroe Islands.
Lake Toftir is located between the villages of Toftir and Rituvík. It is the fourth-largest natural lake in the Faroe Islands and it measures . The lake is no ...
(''Toftavatn''),
Eysturoy
Eysturoy (pronounced estroimeaning 'East Island') is a region and the second-largest of the Faroe Islands, both in size and population.
Description
Eysturoy is separated by a narrow sound from the main island of Streymoy. Eysturoy is extremely ...
, 0.51 km²
* 5.
Lake Eiði (''Eiðisvatn''),
Eysturoy
Eysturoy (pronounced estroimeaning 'East Island') is a region and the second-largest of the Faroe Islands, both in size and population.
Description
Eysturoy is separated by a narrow sound from the main island of Streymoy. Eysturoy is extremely ...
, 0.47 km² (0.47 is the natural size of the lake before SEV made a dam there for their hydro-power plant; now the lake is 1.14)
* 6.
Lake Leynar
Lake Leynar ( fo, Leynavatn) is a lake on the island of Streymoy in the Faroe Islands.
Lake Leynar is the sixth-largest natural lake in the Faroe Islands and it measures . It lies at an elevation of . The valley and its contents is administered b ...
(''Leynavatn''),
Streymoy
Streymoy ( da, Strømø) is the largest and most populated island of the Faroe Islands. The capital, Tórshavn, is located on its southeast coast. The name means "island of currents". It also refers to the largest region of the country that also i ...
, 0.18 km²
* 7.
Kirkjuvatn
Kirkjuvatn is a lake in Suðuroy, Faroe Islands. The lake is located just north of the village of Fámjin, which is located on the west coast of Suðuroy. Fámjin is the only village on the island which is facing directly west. Only one other vill ...
,
Suðuroy
Suðuroy (literally South Island, da, Suderø) is the southernmost of the Faroe Islands. The island covers 163.7 square kilometres (63.2 sq mi). In 2018 the population was 4,601. Suðuroy region (sýsla) comprises this island and Lítla ...
, 0.17 km²
* 8.
Stóravatn,
Sandoy
Sandoy ("Sand Island") is the first of the five southern islands that make up the Faroe chain, the fifth biggest of all the Faroe Islands, an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Denmark. It also refers to the region that includes this island alon ...
0.15 km²
* 9.
Vatnsnes
Vatnsnes () is a peninsula jutting into Húnaflói in northern Iceland. It is surrounded by waters of Miðfjörður on the west and Húnafjörður on the east. It is home to one of the largest seal colonies in Iceland, among others at Hindisvík ...
,
Suðuroy
Suðuroy (literally South Island, da, Suderø) is the southernmost of the Faroe Islands. The island covers 163.7 square kilometres (63.2 sq mi). In 2018 the population was 4,601. Suðuroy region (sýsla) comprises this island and Lítla ...
, 0.15 km²
* 10.
Gróthúsvatn,
Sandoy
Sandoy ("Sand Island") is the first of the five southern islands that make up the Faroe chain, the fifth biggest of all the Faroe Islands, an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Denmark. It also refers to the region that includes this island alon ...
, 0.14 km²
List of lakes in the Faroe Islands
Lakes referred to on the islands of
Suðuroy
Suðuroy (literally South Island, da, Suderø) is the southernmost of the Faroe Islands. The island covers 163.7 square kilometres (63.2 sq mi). In 2018 the population was 4,601. Suðuroy region (sýsla) comprises this island and Lítla ...
,
Sandoy
Sandoy ("Sand Island") is the first of the five southern islands that make up the Faroe chain, the fifth biggest of all the Faroe Islands, an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Denmark. It also refers to the region that includes this island alon ...
,
Vágoy,
Nólsoy Nólsoy (previously also ''Nölsoy''; da, Nolsø; non, Norsey) is an island and village in central Faroe Islands, 4 km east of the capital Tórshavn in Streymoy.
Description
Nólsoy is the lowest of the Faroes; the highest point is Eggjark ...
,
Eysturoy
Eysturoy (pronounced estroimeaning 'East Island') is a region and the second-largest of the Faroe Islands, both in size and population.
Description
Eysturoy is separated by a narrow sound from the main island of Streymoy. Eysturoy is extremely ...
,
Streymoy
Streymoy ( da, Strømø) is the largest and most populated island of the Faroe Islands. The capital, Tórshavn, is located on its southeast coast. The name means "island of currents". It also refers to the largest region of the country that also i ...
and
Hestur
Hestur ( da, Hestø) is an island in the central Faroe Islands, to the west of Streymoy and the south of Koltur. ''Hestur'' means ''horse'' in Faroese.
On the west coast is a guillemot colony. In the north there is moorland with four small lakes ...
:
Jardfeingi.fo
, Faroese lake bibliography, selected references
*Pollur in Saksun
Saksun is a village near the northwest coast of the Faroese island of Streymoy, in Sunda Municipality.
Geography
Saksun lies in the bottom of what used to be an inlet of the sea, surrounded by high mountains.
The inlet formed a good deep natur ...
*Saksunarvatn
*Sandsvatn
The Sandsvatn is the largest lake on the island of Sandoy and the third largest in the Faroe Islands, measuring 0.8 km2 with a depth of 5 metres. It is situated in a valley between Skopun and Sandur, just north of the latter on Road 30. At ...
on Sandoy
Sandoy ("Sand Island") is the first of the five southern islands that make up the Faroe chain, the fifth biggest of all the Faroe Islands, an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Denmark. It also refers to the region that includes this island alon ...
, 0.82 km²
* Norðbergsvatn, between Hvalba
Hvalba ( da, Kvalbø) is a village and a municipality in the Faroe Islands, which consists of Hvalba, Nes-Hvalba and Sandvík.
The village spreads around the bottom of a deep inlet, Hvalbiarfjørður, in the northeast of Suðuroy.
Population
Hv ...
and Norðbergseiði in Suðuroy
Suðuroy (literally South Island, da, Suderø) is the southernmost of the Faroe Islands. The island covers 163.7 square kilometres (63.2 sq mi). In 2018 the population was 4,601. Suðuroy region (sýsla) comprises this island and Lítla ...
* Heygsvatn, between Hvalbiareiði
Hvalbiareiði is also called Fiskieiði, it is located on the west coast of Suðuroy, west of the village Hvalba.
History
Hvalbiareiði has been an important harbour for Hvalba in Suðuroy. Hvalba is located on an isthmus in the northern part ...
and Hvalba
Hvalba ( da, Kvalbø) is a village and a municipality in the Faroe Islands, which consists of Hvalba, Nes-Hvalba and Sandvík.
The village spreads around the bottom of a deep inlet, Hvalbiarfjørður, in the northeast of Suðuroy.
Population
Hv ...
in Suðuroy
Suðuroy (literally South Island, da, Suderø) is the southernmost of the Faroe Islands. The island covers 163.7 square kilometres (63.2 sq mi). In 2018 the population was 4,601. Suðuroy region (sýsla) comprises this island and Lítla ...
*Vatnið í Hvannhaga (The Lake in Hvannhagi) in Suðuroy
Suðuroy (literally South Island, da, Suderø) is the southernmost of the Faroe Islands. The island covers 163.7 square kilometres (63.2 sq mi). In 2018 the population was 4,601. Suðuroy region (sýsla) comprises this island and Lítla ...
*Vágsvatn in Suðuroy.
*Hamravatn
*Rættarvatn
*Bláfossvatn
*Nykarvatn, near Øravík
Øravík (also spelled Ørðavík, da, Ørdevig) is a village on the east coast of the island of Suðuroy in the Faroe Islands.
The village is located in the center of the island on a crossroad where the road to Fámjin goes towards west over t ...
in Suðuroy
Suðuroy (literally South Island, da, Suderø) is the southernmost of the Faroe Islands. The island covers 163.7 square kilometres (63.2 sq mi). In 2018 the population was 4,601. Suðuroy region (sýsla) comprises this island and Lítla ...
*Mjáuvøtn
*Hviltavatn
*Kirkjuvatn
Kirkjuvatn is a lake in Suðuroy, Faroe Islands. The lake is located just north of the village of Fámjin, which is located on the west coast of Suðuroy. Fámjin is the only village on the island which is facing directly west. Only one other vill ...
near Fámjin
Fámjin ( da, Famien) is a village located on the western side of Suðuroy, the southernmost island in Faroe Islands. Fámjin is looking directly out to the North Atlantic Ocean. Name
Geography
The village of Fámjin faces the ocean, althoug ...
in Suðuroy
Suðuroy (literally South Island, da, Suderø) is the southernmost of the Faroe Islands. The island covers 163.7 square kilometres (63.2 sq mi). In 2018 the population was 4,601. Suðuroy region (sýsla) comprises this island and Lítla ...
, 0.17 km²
* Vatnið við Vágseiði (Lake near Vágseiði)
*Tindarlíðarvatn in Suðuroy
*Miðvatn in Suðuroy
* Ryskivatn in Suðuroy
*Bessavatn
*Lakes of Hovsdalur, Suðuroy
Suðuroy (literally South Island, da, Suderø) is the southernmost of the Faroe Islands. The island covers 163.7 square kilometres (63.2 sq mi). In 2018 the population was 4,601. Suðuroy region (sýsla) comprises this island and Lítla ...
*Lakes of Hamrahagi
* Gróthúsvatn, Sandoy
Sandoy ("Sand Island") is the first of the five southern islands that make up the Faroe chain, the fifth biggest of all the Faroe Islands, an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Denmark. It also refers to the region that includes this island alon ...
, 0.14 km²
*Stóravatn
*Lítlavatn
*Norðara Hálsavatn
*Heimara Hálsavatn
*Vatndalsvatn
*Lómatjørn
*Lykkjuvøtn
*Fossavatn
*Múlbergsvatn
*Núpsvatn
*Ørguvatn
*Dunjavatn
*Hólmavatn
*Gásdalsvatn on Sandoy
*Stóratjørn
*Sørvágsvatn
Sørvágsvatn is the largest lake in the Faroe Islands. It is situated on the island of Vágar between the municipalities of Sørvágur and Vágar. Its area is 3.4 km2, more than three times the size of Fjallavatn, the second largest lake, a ...
(also called Leitisvatn) in Vágar
Vágar ( da, Vågø) is one of the 18 islands in the archipelago of the Faroe Islands and the most westerly of the ''large islands''. With a size of , it ranks number three, behind Streymoy and Eysturoy. Vágar region also comprises the island ...
, 3.57 km²
*Fjallavatn in Vágar, 1.03 km²
*Hviltkinnavatn
*Breiðavatn
*Álkuðarvatn
*Halavatn
*Reyðastígavatn
*Steinavatn
*Lake Toftir
Lake Toftir ( fo, Toftavatn) is a lake on the island of Eysturoy in the Faroe Islands.
Lake Toftir is located between the villages of Toftir and Rituvík. It is the fourth-largest natural lake in the Faroe Islands and it measures . The lake is no ...
, Eysturoy
Eysturoy (pronounced estroimeaning 'East Island') is a region and the second-largest of the Faroe Islands, both in size and population.
Description
Eysturoy is separated by a narrow sound from the main island of Streymoy. Eysturoy is extremely ...
, 0.51 km²
* Lake Eiði, Eysturoy
Eysturoy (pronounced estroimeaning 'East Island') is a region and the second-largest of the Faroe Islands, both in size and population.
Description
Eysturoy is separated by a narrow sound from the main island of Streymoy. Eysturoy is extremely ...
, 0.47 km²
*Mølinvatn
*Kornvatn
*Starvatn
*Vørðuvatn
*Kvíandalsvatn, Eysturoy
*Trælavatn, Eysturoy
*Heiðavatn
*Lake Leynar
Lake Leynar ( fo, Leynavatn) is a lake on the island of Streymoy in the Faroe Islands.
Lake Leynar is the sixth-largest natural lake in the Faroe Islands and it measures . It lies at an elevation of . The valley and its contents is administered b ...
in Streymoy
Streymoy ( da, Strømø) is the largest and most populated island of the Faroe Islands. The capital, Tórshavn, is located on its southeast coast. The name means "island of currents". It also refers to the largest region of the country that also i ...
, 0,18 km²
* Saksunarvatn in Streymoy
*Pollur í Saksun
Saksun is a village near the northwest coast of the Faroese island of Streymoy, in Sunda Municipality.
Geography
Saksun lies in the bottom of what used to be an inlet of the sea, surrounded by high mountains.
The inlet formed a good deep natur ...
*Mýrarnar
*Mjáuvøtn
*Vatnið
* Stóravatn
*Gásafjallavatn
*Brúnavatn
*Gásavatn in Streymoy
*Áarstíggjavatn
*Porkerisvatn in Streymoy
*Fagradalsvatn in Hestur
Hestur ( da, Hestø) is an island in the central Faroe Islands, to the west of Streymoy and the south of Koltur. ''Hestur'' means ''horse'' in Faroese.
On the west coast is a guillemot colony. In the north there is moorland with four small lakes ...
*Hálsvatn in Hestur
Hestur ( da, Hestø) is an island in the central Faroe Islands, to the west of Streymoy and the south of Koltur. ''Hestur'' means ''horse'' in Faroese.
On the west coast is a guillemot colony. In the north there is moorland with four small lakes ...
See also
*
Further reading
* AMSINCK, SUSANNE LILDAL, AGNIESZKA STRZELCZAK, RIKKE BJERRING, FRANK LANDKILDEHUS, TORBEN L. LAURIDSEN, KIRSTEN CHRISTOFFERSEN, and ERIK JEPPESEN. 2006. "APPLIED ISSUES: Lake Depth Rather Than Fish Planktivory Determines Cladoceran Community Structure in Faroese Lakes - Evidence from Contemporary Data and Sediments". ''Freshwater Biology''. 51, no. 11: 2124-2142.
* ''Five Faroese Lakes Physico-Chemical and Biological Aspects''. Annales Societatis Scientiarum Faeroensis, 36. Tórshavn, Faroe Islands: Føroya fróðskaparfelag, 2002.
* P̐ưALSSON, CARINA, EMMA S. KRITZBERG, KIRSTEN CHRISTOFFERSEN, and WILHELM GRAN̐ưELI. 2005. "Net Heterotrophy in Faroe Islands Clear-Water Lakes: Causes and Consequences for Bacterioplankton and Phytoplankton". ''Freshwater Biology''. 50, no. 12: 2011-2020.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lakes Of The Faroe Islands, List Of
*
Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands ( ), or simply the Faroes ( fo, Føroyar ; da, Færøerne ), are a North Atlantic island group and an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.
They are located north-northwest of Scotland, and about halfway bet ...
Lakes
A lake is an area filled with water, localized in a basin, surrounded by land, and distinct from any river or other outlet that serves to feed or drain the lake. Lakes lie on land and are not part of the ocean, although, like the much larger ...