Albania possesses a dense hydrographic network of 152 principal rivers. Its drainage system is dominated by ten major rivers flowing from southeast to northwest, mainly discharging towards the Adriatic Sea and partly into the Ionian coast. Combined, they produce a total annual flow rate of .

In the mountainous regions, the rivers meander through narrow valleys with steep banks and great depth, collecting streams and silt during heavy rains. Their beds become erosive, causing frequent changes in their paths.

The rivers are mainly fed by atmospheric precipitation (65-92%) and underground water (8-35%), with an average rainfall layer of 1,494 mm and a runoff layer of 945 mm. Water flow varies by season, with winter having the largest annual flow (40%), followed by spring, autumn and summer. The rivers contain an average mineralization of 150 to 500 mg/L and an average annual volume of suspended solids of 60 million tons, with greater erosion occurring in the catchment basins of Osum, Devoll and Erzen. Temperatures in the winter months fall to 3.5-8.9°C, and in the summer months reach 17.8-24.6°C.

Drainage basins

Adriatic Sea Buna Drin Kir Valbona Bushtricë Gashi Curraj Pejë Shala Theth Sapaç Gjadër Gjeden Vomës White Drin Luma Krumë Skatinë Vlahëna Black Drin Bushtricë Molla e Lurës Veleshticë Seta Zalli i Bulqizës Okshtun Borova Moglicë Mat Fan Fan i Madh Fan i Vogël Zmeja e Madhe Dibri Kurvaj Uraka Shulrejë Zalli i Melihit Stana Ishmi Budullë Gjolë Zeza Tërkuza Lumi i Tiranës Lana Shupal Zall-Bastar Selitë Erzen Qafëmollë Murdhar Zhullimë Pezë Shkumbin Llëngë Dunshë Radicinë Bushtricë Rapuni Zalli i Gjurait Shmili Zalli i Kostenjës Shkenbini Gostimë Lumi i Qershive Papri Lesticë Rumli Seman Devoll Zalli i Gostimës Holli Tomorricë Vërça Lumi i Malsisë Strelcë Selca Verba Velçan Lumi i Thellë Osnat Niçë Janishtë Moçan Lumi i Dardhës Dëshmirë Lumi i Tufës Grendë e Gomarit Çajkovicë Naguraji Plevisht Gjyras Bickë Lum i Madh Pejkas Beras Goçë Regë Novoselë Dunavec Kloçë Lumi i Vjetër Bozdovec Voskop Stenë Radë Shallër Guritzi Stershoi Voskop Osum Lapardha Bardhaj Lumas Pëllumbas Belesovë Velabisht Gjeroven Molisht Plashnik Zagorë Lagjas Vodicë Novë Bovë Roshnik Dukovë Karkanjoz Vërtop Tomori Vokopolë Çorovodë Osojë Vlushë Malind Staraveckë Treskë Kallovesh Zharkan Gostivisht Lum i Madh Mulliri Arapë Elmicë Konopishtë Karavidhë Gjanica Lumarë Metoh Vjosa Sarantaporos Voidomatis Çarçovë Darsi Lengaricë Gostivisht Ani Piskal Rodom Dedovë Peshtanicë Osnat Barmash Podë Lumicë Lum i Turbullt Leminjiza Shlikë Dishnicë Zagorie Drino Gjarakar Kardhiq Kollopanas Cullunarët Piriu Panja Gugash Gjoshnikosh Valet Vexhisht Nimicë Suha Gryka e Selckës Selckë Bënça Gura Shushicë Smokthina Kaur Shuri i Kuçit

Ionian Sea Bistricë Vrisi Kardhikaq Navaricë Buazë Kalasa Delvinë Galisht Pavlla Bërkuç Leshnicë Barrçi

Other rivers Danube → Black Sea Lim Vermosh

Mainstream rivers Cem ↝ Cemi i Selcës , Gomsiqe, Drojë, Darçi, Çërravë, Izvori ↝ Dukat, Borsh, Gurra e Vërgoit, Gjovarakë.

Gallery

See also

Protected areas of Albania Biodiversity of Albania

References