Chad’s landscape spans the Sahel and the central Sahara, where water bodies range from seasonal basins and gueltas to parts of larger transboundary lakes. Local climate, river inflow and underground springs shape where and when water appears, giving each lake a distinct story tied to geography and seasons.
There are 28 Lakes in Chad, ranging from Archei Guelta to Trou au Natron Lake. For each entry you’ll find below Region,Coordinates (lat, long),Notes (max 15 words); you’ll find below.
Are most lakes in Chad permanent or seasonal?
Many are seasonal or ephemeral—rain-fed basins and desert gueltas that swell in the rainy season and shrink or vanish in dry years. A smaller number, including portions of Lake Chad, hold water year-round but still vary significantly with rainfall and river input.
How reliable are the coordinates and short notes in the list?
Coordinates and brief notes are useful starting points but can be approximate; they come from maps, satellite imagery and regional sources. If you need exact locations or conditions for fieldwork, cross-check with up-to-date maps, local authorities or GPS on site.
Lakes in Chad
| Name | Region | Coordinates (lat, long) | Notes (max 15 words) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Chad | Lac, Hadjer-Lamis | 13.06, 14.53 | Vast, shrinking endorheic lake; its size varies from 1,350 to 25,000 km². |
| Lake Fitri | Batha | 12.84, 17.51 | Seasonal freshwater lake, a Ramsar site, area can reach 3,000 km². |
| Lake Iro | Moyen-Chari | 10.09, 19.42 | Permanent freshwater lake of about 100 km², fed by the Salamat River. |
| Lakes of Ounianga | Ennedi-Ouest | 19.05, 20.51 | UNESCO World Heritage site of 18 interconnected Saharan lakes in two groups. |
| Lake Yoa | Ennedi-Ouest | 19.03, 20.51 | Largest of the Ounianga lakes (3.58 km²), hyper-saline, and spectacularly scenic. |
| Lake Katam | Ennedi-Ouest | 19.05, 20.48 | Saline lake in the Ounianga Kébir group, known for its striking colors. |
| Lake Teli | Ennedi-Ouest | 18.69, 21.01 | Largest freshwater lake of the Ounianga Sérir group, mostly covered by reeds. |
| Lake Tikem | Mayo-Kebbi Est | 9.81, 15.97 | Permanent freshwater lake near the Cameroon border, important for local fishing. |
| Lake Fianga | Mayo-Kebbi Est | 9.93, 15.24 | Shallow, seasonal transboundary lake shared with Cameroon, vital for fish production. |
| Lake Kouni | Kanem | 14.25, 14.61 | Small, permanent soda lake north of Lake Chad where spirulina is harvested. |
| Lake Rombou | Kanem | 14.21, 14.60 | Permanent soda lake in the Kanem region, also used for spirulina harvesting. |
| Archei Guelta | Ennedi-Ouest | 16.90, 21.79 | Permanent guelta, home to a relict population of West African crocodiles. |
| Trou au Natron Lake | Tibesti | 23.32, 17.03 | Seasonal, highly alkaline lake within the Trou au Natron volcanic caldera. |
| Gourou Lake | Ennedi-Ouest | 18.99, 20.73 | Small, very saline lake located between the Ounianga Kébir and Ounianga Sérir groups. |
| Lake Oma | Ennedi-Ouest | 19.08, 20.44 | Small, hyper-saline lake in the Ounianga Kébir group. |
| Lake Béver | Ennedi-Ouest | 19.06, 20.51 | Small, saline lake near Lake Yoa in the Ounianga Kébir group. |
| Lake Midji | Ennedi-Ouest | 19.05, 20.54 | Small, saline lake in the Ounianga Kébir depression. |
| Lake Forodom | Ennedi-Ouest | 19.06, 20.56 | Smallest named saline lake in the Ounianga Kébir group. |
| Lake Bokou | Ennedi-Ouest | 18.78, 20.84 | Small freshwater lake in the Ounianga Sérir group, covered in reeds. |
| Lake Ahoita | Ennedi-Ouest | 18.67, 21.03 | Freshwater lake south of Lake Teli in the Ounianga Sérir group. |
| Lake Daléyala | Ennedi-Ouest | 18.66, 21.05 | Small freshwater lake in the Ounianga Sérir group. |
| Mare de Zira | Kanem | 14.28, 14.33 | Small, permanent freshwater natron lake northwest of Lake Chad. |
| Lacs d’Oyo | Ennedi-Est | 17.65, 23.37 | Group of small, remote seasonal lakes in the Ennedi Massif. |
| Lake Mamoun | Sila | 11.75, 20.58 | Seasonal lake, important for local communities and livestock. |
| Lake Bodou | Kanem | 14.32, 14.17 | Small permanent soda lake in the Kanem region. |
| Lake Djikare | Kanem | 14.22, 14.59 | Small permanent soda lake near Lake Kouni, part of the spirulina basin. |
| Mare de Kofia | Logone Occidental | 8.66, 16.03 | Seasonal lake important for local agriculture and pastoralism in southern Chad. |
| Mare de Goulou | Mandoul | 8.37, 17.58 | Seasonal floodplain lake near the border with the Central African Republic. |
Images and Descriptions
Lake Chad
Lake Chad is the largest and most important lake in the region. It lies at the borders of Chad, Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon. It shows wide seasonal and long-term size changes. It supports fisheries, farming and millions of people, so it anchors the list of Chad lakes.
Lake Fitri
Lake Fitri is a shallow, seasonal lake in central Chad. It fills from seasonal rivers and floods. It supports local fisheries and wildlife and varies in size by year.
Lake Iro
Lake Iro is a shallow, often seasonal lake in Chad. It appears and grows with seasonal rains. It serves local fishing and bird habitat during wet months.
Lakes of Ounianga
The Lakes of Ounianga are a linked group of permanent desert lakes in northern Chad. They sit in a Saharan depression and are fed by ancient groundwater. UNESCO protects them for their rare hydrology and desert ecology.
Lake Yoa
Lake Yoa is one of the main Ounianga lakes. It is a permanent freshwater lake in the Sahara. It records long-term climate history and supports local plants and wildlife.
Lake Katam
Lake Katam is a small lake or pond in Chad. It appears on regional maps as a local water body. It serves nearby communities and wildlife when present.
Lake Teli
Lake Teli is another principal lake in the Ounianga group. It remains permanent in the desert and contrasts with seasonal ponds elsewhere in Chad. It forms part of the UNESCO site.
Lake Tikem
Lake Tikem is a smaller lake or seasonal pool in Chad. It fills in rainy seasons and shrinks or dries in dry months. It supports local grazing and bird life.
Lake Fianga
Lake Fianga is a lake that forms with seasonal floods in Chad. It provides freshwater for local villages and animals when filled. It is part of Chad’s network of seasonal wetlands.
Lake Kouni
Lake Kouni is a minor lake or pool in Chad. It appears on local maps and serves as a seasonal water source. It supports small-scale fishing and livestock watering.
Lake Rombou
Lake Rombou is a local lake or marsh feature in Chad. It fluctuates with seasonal rains. It functions as habitat for birds and a resource for nearby people.
Archei Guelta
Archei Guelta is a famous rock pool in the Ennedi Plateau. It holds water year-round in a sandstone canyon. It supports isolated biodiversity and has notable rock art nearby.
Trou au Natron Lake
Trou au Natron Lake is a saline or mineral-rich lake in Chad. It forms in an evaporative basin and can concentrate minerals like natron. It is common in arid zones and shows desert hydrology.
Gourou Lake
Gourou Lake is a smaller lake or seasonal water body in Chad. It fills with seasonal rains and serves local wildlife and communities. It appears on regional hydrographic lists.
Lake Oma
Lake Oma is a local lake in Chad that varies with the seasons. It provides seasonal habitat and local water supply. It is included among Chad’s mapped lakes and ponds.
Lake Béver
Lake Béver is a named lake or pond in Chad. It functions as a seasonal water source for nearby settlements and grazing lands. It appears on national and regional lists.
Lake Midji
Lake Midji is a small lake in Chad that responds to rainfall. It supports local fishing and animals during wet periods. It forms part of Chad’s seasonal wetland system.
Lake Forodom
Lake Forodom is a lake or shallow pond in Chad. It shows seasonal fluctuation and local importance for water and wildlife. It appears in regional inventories of lakes.
Lake Bokou
Lake Bokou is a minor lake or pool in Chad. It fills with seasonal rains and provides habitat for birds. It is one of many small water bodies on the national list.
Lake Ahoita
Lake Ahoita is a seasonal or permanent lake in Chad, noted on local maps. It supports nearby communities and wildlife when water is present. It contributes to Chad’s lake diversity.
Lake Daléyala
Lake Daléyala is a regional lake or marsh feature in Chad. It varies by season and serves local grazing and bird populations. It is included among Chad’s named water bodies.
Mare de Zira
Mare de Zira is a seasonal pond (mare) in Chad. It fills in the rainy season and dries in the dry season. It provides important watering spots for livestock and wildlife.
Lacs d’Oyo
Lacs d’Oyo refers to a group of lakes near Oyo in Chad. These are local wetlands that vary seasonally. They support fishing, farming and local biodiversity.
Lake Mamoun
Lake Mamoun is a named lake in Chad that fluctuates with rainfall. It serves as a seasonal water source and habitat. It appears in regional hydrographic records.
Lake Bodou
Lake Bodou is a small lake or pond in Chad. It forms part of local wetland networks. It supports nearby communities and wildlife when present.
Lake Djikare
Lake Djikare is a lake or marsh in Chad that changes with seasons. It provides habitat for birds and water for local uses. It is listed among Chad’s lakes.
Mare de Kofia
Mare de Kofia is a seasonal pond in Chad. It fills during rains and dries later. It serves grazing animals and migratory birds.
Mare de Goulou
Mare de Goulou is a temporary pond (mare) found in Chad. It appears with seasonal rains and supports local livestock and wetlands. It is part of Chad’s network of ephemeral water bodies.
