Lake Geneva : Ask Biography

Lake information

Name

Lake Geneva

Location

Switzerland
France

Lake type

Glacial lake

Primary inflows

Rhone, La Venoge, Dranse, Aubonne

Primary outflows

Rhone

Catchment area

7975 km2 (3079.2 sqmi)

Basin countries

Switzerland, France

Geography

Max. length

73 km (45.4 mi)

Max. width

14 km (8.7 mi)

Surface area

580.03 km2 (223.95 mi2)

Average depth

154.4 m (506.6 ft)

Max. depth

310 m (1017.1 ft)

Water volume

89 km3 (292 acre.ft)

Residence time

11.4 years

Surface elevation

372 m (1220.5 ft)

Islands in lakes

Île de Peilz, Château de Chillon, Île de Salagnon, Île de la Harpe, Île Rousseau, Île de Choisi

Settlements

Geneva (CH), Lausanne (CH), Evian (F), Montreux (CH), Thonon (F), Vevey (CH) (see list)

Home | Lake | Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva or Lake Léman ( , ) is a lake in Switzerland and France. It is one of the largest lakes in Western Europe. 59.53 % 345.31 km2 (133.3 sqmi) of it comes under the jurisdiction of Switzerland (cantons of Vaud, Geneva, and Valais), and 40.47 % 234.71 km2 (90.6 sqmi) under France (Haute-Savoie). The average surface elevation of 372 m (1220.5 ft) above sea level is controlled by the Seujet Dam near Geneva.

Lake Geneva, formed by a retreating glacier, has a crescent shape that narrows around Yvoire on the southern shore. It can thus be divided figuratively into the "Grand Lac" (Large Lake) to the east and the "Petit Lac" (Small Lake) to the west. The Chablais Alps border its southern shore, the western Bernese Alps lie over its eastern side. The high summits of Grand Combin and Mont Blanc are visible from some places. Compagnie Générale de Navigation sur le lac Léman (CGN) operates boats on the lake.