Gatun Lake

Gatun Lake is an artificial freshwater lake on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal created in the early 20th century by damming the Chagres River. It was formed as a central element of the Panama Canal project to provide water for the lock system and a navigable transitway for ships.

The lake covers hundreds of square kilometres and is traversed by canal traffic for a significant portion of the canal transit, with ships passing through lock complexes at either end. The lake contains numerous islands and forested shorelines that support birds, mammals and freshwater fish.

Gatun Lake was completed during construction of the Panama Canal and has since operated as part of the canal’s water-management and navigation system, supplying lockage water and serving as a major freshwater reservoir for the canal’s operation.

The lake lies east of Panama City in central Panama and forms part of the canal corridor; many viewpoints and boat tours operate from nearby canal towns and facilities.

• Origin and function: Formed by damming the Chagres River in the early 20th century as part of the Panama Canal project, the lake serves as a freshwater reservoir and transitway for ships crossing the isthmus.
• Navigation and wildlife: The lake is crossed by canal traffic for many kilometres and contains numerous small islands that provide wildlife habitat and shoreline scenery.

What to See #

• Gatun Locks: Gatun Locks, the lock complex that raises and lowers ships between sea level and the water level of the lake on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal.
• Gatun Dam: Gatun Dam, the structure that impounds the Chagres River to form the lake and provides the freshwater reservoir used by the Panama Canal.