Lake Zirahuén facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Zirahuén |
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Lake Zirahuén
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 Lake Zirahuén
Location in Michoacán
Lake Zirahuén
Location in Mexico
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| Location | Santa Clara del Cobre, Michoacán, Mexico |
| Coordinates | 19°27′N 101°44′W / 19.450°N 101.733°W |
| Type | endorheic lake |
Lake Zirahuén is a beautiful, deep mountain lake. It is located in the Santa Clara del Cobre area of Michoacán, Mexico. This small lake has a sandy bottom. Some parts of the lake bottom are covered with mud. It covers an area of about 970 hectares. This is like 2,400 acres. The lake also holds a large amount of water.
What is an Endorheic Lake?
Lake Zirahuén is a special type of lake. It is called an endorheic lake. This means it is a closed basin. Water flows into the lake from rain and small streams. However, no rivers flow out of it to the ocean. The water leaves the lake mostly through evaporation.
Past Connections to Other Lakes
Long ago, Lake Zirahuén was part of a bigger water system. It was connected to Lake Cuitzeo and Lake Pátzcuaro. All these lakes used to drain into the Lerma River. Today, Lake Zirahuén is a closed basin. This is similar to Lakes Cuitzeo and Pátzcuaro. Even so, scientists still see it as part of the larger Lerma-Chapala basin.
Amazing Wildlife
Lake Zirahuén is home to a unique fish. This fish is called the Zirahuén allotica. Its scientific name is Allotoca meeki. This fish is a type of Goodeid fish. It is special because it is endemic to Lake Zirahuén. This means it lives naturally only in this lake. You cannot find it anywhere else in the world.
See also
In Spanish: Lago de Zirahuén para niños
