Maihue Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maihue LakeLago Maihue (Spanish) |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 Maihue Lake
Location in Chile
|
|
| Coordinates | 40°17′S 72°03′W / 40.283°S 72.050°W |
| Primary inflows | Pillanleufú River, Hueinahue River |
| Primary outflows | Calcurrupe River |
| Basin countries | Chile |
| Max. width | 6 km (3.7 mi) |
| Surface area | 49 km2 (19 sq mi) |
| Settlements | Chabranco |
Maihue Lake (which means Wooden glass in the Mapudungun language, and is called Lago Maihue in Spanish) is a beautiful lake found in the southern part of Chile. It is located in the Andes mountains, which are very tall and impressive.
About Maihue Lake
Maihue Lake is a special place because of how it was formed. It's what we call a glacial lake. This means it was carved out by huge, slow-moving rivers of ice called glaciers many, many years ago. As the glaciers moved, they dug out the land, creating the deep basin where the lake now sits.
Where is it?
This lake is nestled among the mountains of the Andes. It is completely surrounded by these tall peaks. If you look on a map, you'll find it just east of another large lake called Ranco Lake. The nearest town to Maihue Lake is Chabranco.
How was it formed?
The story of Maihue Lake began during the last Ice age. Giant glaciers moved through the valleys, slowly grinding away at the rock. When the climate warmed up, these glaciers melted, and their water filled the deep hollows they had created. This is how Maihue Lake, and many other lakes in the Andes, came to be.
Water flow
Maihue Lake is part of a larger water system. Several rivers flow into it, bringing fresh water from the surrounding mountains. The two main rivers that feed Maihue Lake are the Pillanleufú River and the Hueinahue River. The water then flows out of Maihue Lake through the Calcurrupe River, which carries it westward into Ranco Lake. This constant flow keeps the lake's water fresh and clean.
Lake size
Maihue Lake is a good-sized body of water. It covers an area of about 49 square kilometers (which is about 19 square miles). At its widest point, the lake stretches about 6 kilometers (or nearly 4 miles) across. Even though it's not the biggest lake in Chile, its stunning mountain setting makes it a truly memorable place.
See also
In Spanish: Lago Maihue para niños
