Fierza Reservoir, Reservoir in northeastern Albania and Kosovo

Fierza Reservoir is a long, winding body of water in northeastern Albania that stretches into Kosovo, formed by damming the Drin River. It sits between steep mountain slopes and deep gorges, giving it a narrow, branching shape with small inlets and islands scattered along its length.

The reservoir was created in 1978 when the Albanian government built the Fierza Hydroelectric Power Station dam on the Drin River. The 167-metre dam also regulates water supply for the downstream Vau i Dejës and Koman plants in the Drin cascade. In 2014 the Kukës County Council declared the lake a Regional Nature Park.

Small villages dot the shoreline, where fishing and farming still shape everyday life much as they have for generations. Wooden boats tied along the banks are a common sight, giving the place a rural character that feels far removed from city life.

The roads along the shore are winding and sometimes narrow, so a sturdy vehicle is helpful when exploring the area. Mornings tend to offer the calmest conditions on the water, which is useful if you plan to take a boat trip or walk along the banks.

In March 2022, low snowfall and rain cut the reservoir's level from its 296 m maximum to about 259 m, 17 m above the point where the water stops flowing out. The lake's operators expect such drawdowns roughly every ten years, but climate change is shortening that cycle, which reduces electricity production in Albania.