Gatun Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gatun Lake |
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Ships follow marked channels
among the hilltop islands. |
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 Gatun Lake
Location in Panama
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| Coordinates | 9°11′N 79°53′W / 9.183°N 79.883°W |
| Type | artificial lake |
| Primary inflows | Chagres River |
| Basin countries | Panama |
| Surface area | 425 km2 (164 sq mi) |
| Water volume | 5.2 km3 (4,200,000 acre⋅ft) |
| Surface elevation | 26 m (85 ft) |
| Islands | Isla Barro Colorado, Isla Gatun, Isla Falta Calzado, Isla Tres Perros |
Gatun Lake (which means Lago Gatún in Spanish) is a huge freshwater lake located south of Colón, Panama. It is not a natural lake; it was created by people. This amazing lake is about 26 m (85 ft) above sea level.
Gatun Lake is a very important part of the Panama Canal. It helps ships travel about 33 km (21 mi) across the Isthmus of Panama. The lake was officially created on June 27, 1913. This happened when the gates of the spillway at Gatun Dam were closed. Everyone waited for the lake to fill up. The water level was initially around 14.6 m (48 ft) above sea level. It was expected to reach its full operating level in about six months.
Contents
Building Gatun Lake: A Giant Project
Gatun Lake was formed in 1913 when engineers built a dam across the Chagres River. This dam created the massive lake. Gatun Lake is a key part of the Panama Canal because it provides millions of liters of water. This water is needed to operate the canal's locks every time a ship passes through.
When it was first created, Gatun Lake was the largest human-made lake in the world! The thick rainforest around the lake has protected the Panama Canal for many years. Today, these areas are still mostly untouched by people. They are one of the few places where you can see many native Central American animals and plants living naturally.
Benefits of Gatun Lake: More Than Just a Waterway
Gatun Lake offers many benefits beyond helping ships pass through the canal.
A Home for Science
The biggest island in Gatun Lake is Barro Colorado Island. This island was set aside for scientific study when the lake was formed. Today, the Smithsonian Institution manages it. Many important discoveries about tropical animals and plants have been made here.
Gatun Lake covers about 470 km2 (180 sq mi). This huge area is a tropical ecological zone and part of the Atlantic Forest Corridor. Because of its natural beauty, visiting the lake has become a popular activity for tourists. This is known as ecotourism.
Drinking Water for Cities
Gatun Lake also provides clean drinking water for the cities of Panama City and Colón.
Fishing in the Lake
Fishing is a popular activity on Gatun Lake. Around 1967, a type of fish called non-native peacock bass was accidentally introduced to the lake. These fish are locally called Sargento. They are believed to be the Cichla pleiozona species, which originally came from the Amazon and Orinoco river basins.
Even though peacock bass are popular game fish in their natural homes, their arrival in Gatun Lake had a big impact on the local fish species. A report from the Smithsonian found that native fish populations in the lake have not fully recovered. In 2016, a study found only about a quarter of the native fish species that were there before.
See also
In Spanish: Lago Gatún para niños
