Gatun Lake

Gatun Lake (Spanish: Lago Gatún) is a mostly freshwater (slightly saline near the locks)^[3] reservoir to the south of Colón, Panama. At approximately 26 m (85 ft) above sea level, it forms a major part of the Panama Canal, carrying ships 33 km (21 mi) of their transit across the Isthmus of Panama. It was created June 27, 1913^[4] when the gates of the spillway at Gatun Dam were closed. The water level was about 14.6 m (48 ft) above sea level and was expected to fill to operating levels in the next six months.^[5]

Gatun Lake
Ships follow marked channels among the hilltop islands.
Gatun Lake
Coordinates	9.2°N 79.9°W / 9.2; -79.9
Type	Artificial lake
Primary inflows	Chagres River
Catchment area	2,313 square kilometres (2.490×1010 sq ft)[1]
Basin countries	Panama
First flooded	June 27, 1913
Surface area	431 km2 (166 sq mi)[1]
Average depth	12.7 metres (42 ft)[1]
Water volume	5.48 km3 (4,440,000 acre⋅ft)[1][2]
Residence time	1 yr[1]
Shore length1	1,750 kilometres (1,090 mi)[1]
Surface elevation	26 m (85 ft)
Islands	Isla Barro Colorado, Isla Gatun, Isla Falta Calzado, Isla Tres Perros
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Construction

USS Missouri (Battleship #11) in Gatun Lake, Panama Canal, 1915.

Created in 1913 by damming the Chagres River, Gatun Lake is a key part of the Panama Canal, providing the millions of litres of water necessary to operate its locks each time a ship passes through.^[6] When constructed, Gatun Lake was the largest artificial lake in the world. The impassable rainforest around the lake has been the best defense of the Panama Canal. Today these areas remain practically unscathed by human interference and are one of the few accessible areas where various native Central American animal and plant species can be observed undisturbed in their natural habitat.^{[citation needed]}

Geography

Gatun Lake covers about 470 km² (180 sq mi). The largest island in the lake is Barro Colorado Island, which was established for scientific study when the lake was formed, and is operated by the Smithsonian Institution. Many important scientific and biological discoveries of the tropical animal and plant kingdom originated here.^{[citation needed]}

Gatun Lake also provides drinking water for Panama City and Colón.^[3]

Fishing

Angling is one of the primary recreational pursuits on Gatun Lake. Non-native peacock bass were accidentally introduced to Gatun Lake around 1967^[7] by a local businessman,^[8] and have since flourished to become the dominant angling game fish in Gatun Lake. Locally called Sargento and believed to be the species Cichla pleiozona,^[9] these peacock bass originate from the Amazon, Rio Negro, and Orinoco river basins. Although considered a premier game fish in their natural range, the introduction of the peacock bass to Gatun Lake had devastating effects on the local species. According to a report by the Smithsonian, native fish populations in the lake still have not recovered.^[10] Only one quarter the number of native fish species were found in a sampling taken in 2016.^[11]