Lakes - Atlas Obscura
Just Released! The second edition of our bestselling book.
What's near me?

216 Items Tagged

Lakes

Share Tweet
story
mounds

The Glittery Legacy of Lead at a Historic Native American Site

A shiny mineral called galena, once prized by the Mississippian people, left its mark on the soil.
November 7, 2019
Coron, Philippines

Barracuda Lake

This curious fresh and salt water lake holds a secret that draws in deep divers from around the world.
Amber C Snider Added by Amber C Snider
Hunza Nagar, Pakistan

Attabad Lake

This dazzlingly turquoise mountain lake was created in the wake of a natural disaster.
Tony Dunnell Added by Tony Dunnell
Bolivia

Laguna Verde

This lake’s emerald green waters are a spectacular sight, but it’s not a great place for a swim.
Tony Dunnell Added by Tony Dunnell
story
evolution

California’s Saltiest Lake Is Chock-Full of Bizarre Roundworms

Life finds a way.
September 27, 2019
story
algae

The 'Dead Sea of Senegal' Is a Shocking Shade of Pink

Colored by algae and beloved by bathers, Lake Retba is a prime source of salt—and backbreaking labor.
September 23, 2019
Libya

Waw an Namus

Surrounded by a smudge of dark earth, this isolated volcano sits in stark contrast to the surrounding Sahara.
Tony Dunnell Added by Tony Dunnell
Tozeur, Tunisia

Chott el Djerid

The largest salt lake in the Sahara is mysteriously alluring.
Nate Robert Added by Nate Robert
Carpello, Italy

Lake Posta Fibreno

This serene, turquoise lake in an extraordinary nature reserve showcases a rare natural phenomenon.
LatiumMirabile Added by LatiumMirabile
Castel di Tora, Italy

Ruins of Antuni

A semi-abandoned village destroyed by U.S. bombings during World War II dominates the valley of Turano.
LatiumMirabile Added by LatiumMirabile
Varenna, Italy

Varenna Cemetery

An unusual resting place built into the hill with an amazing view of Lake Como.
bq Added by bq
Alberta

Lake Abraham

The frozen bubbles that form on the icy surface of this Canadian lake contain enough methane to create a small explosion.
Tony Dunnell Added by Tony Dunnell
Nixon, Nevada

Winnemucca Lake

This dry lake bed contains the oldest known petroglyphs in North America.
DannyBoy Added by DannyBoy
Nong Bua, Thailand

Wat Nong Bua Yai

An underwater temple submerged for 20 years has resurfaced with an extreme drought.
Dax Ward Added by Dax Ward
Soap Lake, Washington

Soap Lake

People come from across the globe to swim in this lake believed to have healing properties.
Added by gnstrong420
story
environment

Meet the Scientists Who Pollute Lakes on Purpose

For half a century, researchers have been spilling chemicals in the waters of northwestern Ontario.
July 30, 2019
story
construction

Oakland's Favorite Monster Is Back—and Greener Than Ever

A restoration project has given a once-iconic sculpture a new lease on life.
July 25, 2019
Afar Zone 2, Ethiopia

Gaet’ale Pond

The Earth's saltiest natural body of water belches toxic gas.
Tony Dunnell Added by Tony Dunnell