Gatun Lake (Spanish Lago Gatún) is a large artificial lake situated in the Republic of Panama. It forms a major part of the Panama Canal, carrying ships for 33 kilometers (21 miles) of their transit across the narrow Isthmus of Panama.
The lake was created between 1907 and 1913 by the building of the Gatun Dam across the Chagres River. At the time it was created, Gatun Lake was the largest artificial lake in the world, and the dam was the largest dam on earth.
Gatun Lake is also important as a reservoir of water for the operation of the Panama Canal. Each time a ship transits the canal 202,000 m3 (53,400,000 U.S. gallons) of water is passed from the lake into the sea. With over 14,000 vessel transits per year, this represents a very large demand for water. Since rainfall is seasonal in Panama, the lake acts as a water store, allowing the canal to continue operation through the dry season.
Below are a couple of snapshots of a Panama Canal tug boat stationed on the waters of Gatun Lake waiting for a vessel exiting Gaillard Cut or Culebra Cut, on its passage to the Atlantic Ocean. Here we go.
Snapshot of a Panama Canal tug boat waiting for a vessel at Gatun Lake to assist it on its passage from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
A Panama Canal tug boat is anchored at Gatun Lake waiting for a vessel to exit Gaillard Cut and transit the international waterway. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
I like both shots, Omar. Thank you.