Lake Gatun


Gatun is the largest artificial lake in Panama . It is located on the Isthmus of Panama and was established in 1907 - 1913 during the construction of the Panama Canal . The area of ​​the lake reaches 425 square kilometers. km, and the height of the surface above sea level is 26 m. The total volume of water is almost 5.2 cubic meters. m.

Construction of the Gatun Dam on the Chagres River led to the emergence of a large artificial reservoir, during the filling of which a whole number of islands were formed. The largest of these is the Barro-Colorado , on which the Smithsonian Institute for Tropical Research is located. Among the small, densely forested islands, which can be seen on the surface of the lake, tourists are attracted from a distance by Isla Gatun.

Inhabitants of the lake

From the shore, Gatun looks endless. In its waters settled snow-white herons and pelicans. Wooded beaches are inhabited by wild monkeys - howler and capuchin, three-toed sloths and various kinds of birds. Flocks of kites often flutter in the sky above the lake. There is an abundance of large tuna and an interesting fish "sergeant", named so in memory of the US military.

Leisure for tourists

Very exciting is the journey on the lake by boat. During it you can admire the exotic vegetation, hanging over the steep red cliffs. In addition to lovers of rest and ecotourism, Lake Gatun attracts a large number of divers. Here and on Lake Alajuela there are excellent places to dive. There, under the water, are the remains of the railway and a large number of construction equipment.

Very often tourist groups go to one more sight of Lake Gatun - the restored old pier. From here along the trail you can go up to the destroyed military base, which used to be a secret object. In addition, excellent fishing is guaranteed on the island of Gatun. It is only 100 m from the mainland, so there will be no problems with electricity and mobile communications.

Incredibly, but the island of Gatun in the lake of the same name, which has an area of ​​3000 square meters. m, can be purchased at auction. The starting price is 26 thousand euros.

How to get to Lake Gatun?

The easiest way to get to Lake Gatun is by car along the Carr. Panamericana. For example, from the city of Penonomé on this route without traffic jams, the journey time will be about two hours.