Lake Lugano

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Lake Lugano Lago di Lugano
Lake Lugano with the dam of Melide
Coordinates	45°59′N 8°58′ECoordinates: 45°59′N 8°58′E
Primary sources	Vedeggio, Cassarate, Cuccio, Laveggio, Magliasina, Bolletta, Scairolo
Primary outflows	Tresa
Catchment area	565.6 km²
Basin countries	Switzerland, Italy
Surface area	48.7 km²
Average depth	134 m
Max depth	288 m
Water volume	6.5 km³
Residence time (of lake water)	8.2 years
Surface elevation	271 m
Settlements	Lugano, Melide, Campione d'Italia, Ponte Tresa

Lake Lugano (Italian: Lago di Lugano or Ceresio) is a lake in the south-east of Switzerland, at the border between Switzerland and Italy. The lake, named after the city of Lugano, is situated between Lago Maggiore and Lago di Como, at approx. 45°59′N 8°58′E.

The lake's surface of 48.7 km² is 271 m above sea level with an average depth of 134 m. Its volume is 6,500 million m³ and maximum depth 288 m.

In 1848, the dam of Melide was built on a moraine between Melide and Bissone. The A2 motorway and the Gotthard railways cross the lake there, linking Lugano to Chiasso. The dam separates the northern (27.5 km²) and southern basins (21.4 km²). The lake retention time of the northern (11.9 years) is considerably higher than the one of the southern (2.3 years) (8.2 years on average).

Well known mountains and tourist destinations on the shores of the lake are Monte Brè (925 m) east, Monte San Salvatore (912 m) west of Lugano and Monte Generoso (1701 m) on the south-east shore. The World Heritage Site Monte San Giorgio (1097 m) is situated south of the lake.

Campione d'Italia is an enclave within Ticino, separated through mountains and the lake from Italy.

Fishery in the lake (and Lake Maggiore) is regulated by an agreement between Switzerland and Italy of 1986. The current agreement on navigation dates from 1992.