Gatun Lake
| Gatun Lake | |
|---|---|
Ships follow marked channels among the hilltop islands. | |
| Coordinates | 9°12′N 79°54′W / 9.2°N 79.9°W |
| Type | Artificial lake |
| Primary inflows | Chagres River |
| Catchment area | 2,313 square kilometres (2.490×1010 sq ft) |
| Basin countries | Panama |
| First flooded | June 27, 1913 |
| Surface area | 431 km2 (166 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 12.7 metres (42 ft) |
| Water volume | 5.48 km3 (4,440,000 acre⋅ft) |
| Residence time | 1 yr |
| Shore length1 | 1,750 kilometres (1,090 mi) |
| 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. | |
Gatun Lake (Spanish: Lago Gatún) is a mostly freshwater (slightly saline near the locks) 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 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.