Gatun Lake

Gatun Lake
Ships follow marked channels
among the hilltop islands.
Gatun Lake is located in Panama
Gatun Lake
Gatun Lake
Coordinates9°12′N 79°54′W / 9.2°N 79.9°W / 9.2; -79.9
Typeartificial lake
Primary inflowsChagres River
Basin countriesPanama
Surface area425 km2 (164 sq mi)
Water volume5.2 km3 (4,200,000 acre⋅ft)[1]
Surface elevation26 m (85 ft)
IslandsIsla Barro Colorado, Isla Gatun, Isla Falta Calzado, Isla Tres Perros

Gatun Lake (Spanish: Lago Gatún) is a freshwater artificial lake 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 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.[2]

  1. ^ Hulman, Lewis G. (1972). "System Relationships a Panama Canal Water Supply Study". Water Resources Research. 8 (3): 774–778. doi:10.1029/WR008i003p00769. hdl:2027/uc1.31210024723247.
  2. ^ "Canal Virtually Finished- July 14,1913". Boston Evening Transcript. 1913. Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2022.

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