Lake Arenal

Infobox lake
lake_name = Lake Arenal
image_lake = LagoArenal.jpg
caption_lake = A view from the southwest side looking across at the north
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coords = coord|10.53|N|84.93|W|type:waterbody_region:CR|display=inline,title
type = reservoir
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basin_countries = Costa Rica
length =
width =
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depth = 100-200 ft
max-depth =
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Lake Arenal is a reservoir in Costa Rica, formed by enlarging an existing small lake of the same name by the completion of a dam in 1979. It is located near the Arenal Volcano and the Monteverde cloud forest, at coord|10.53|N|84.93|W|type:waterbody_region:CR. Lake Arenal is the key driver in a nationwide hydroelectric project that currently produces the majority of electricity for the entire country. [ Citation| first=Carlos | last=Pérez| coauthors=| contribution=Results of the Event| title=Minutes of the Workshop on Adaptation to Climate Change in Costa Rica| editor-first=| editor-last=| coeditors=| publisher=Trofcca Central America| place=San José, Costa Rica| pages=| date=2006-12-13| year=2006| id= | contribution-url=http://www.cifor.cgiar.org/trofcca/america/workshops/wrkshp_adapt_costa_rica_Dec_2006.doc| format=DOC| accessdate=2007-10-02 ] . Water depth generally varies between 100 and 200 feet. The communities of "old" Arenal and Tronadora were submerged by the expanded lake.The Arenal National Park created in 1991, is located on Costa Rica’s central northern plains. The Arenal Volcano is the most active volcano in Costa Rica. It stands 1,657 meters ( 5,435 feet) high above the eastern shores of Lake Arenal. Its conical shape typical of a strato volcano is made of successive layers of eruptions, rocks, ashes and lava. The most recent eruptive period began with a major explosive eruption in 1968, after 400 years of being dormant. The land-locked national park is also the home of Costa Rica’s largest artificial lake, which lies west of the volcano. The majestic lake Arenal was enlarged to three times its original size to form a 33 square mile basin that feeds the hydroelectric dam, which produces 70% of Costa Rica’s electricity. Under the water of the lake, lies the abandoned town of Arenal.

From November through April the dependable strong winds attract windsurfers to its western end. [ cite web|url=http://windsurfcostarica.com/ |title=Lake Arenal Costa Rica Tilawa Windsurf Center - Windsuring Kiteboarding Rentals Lessons |accessdate=2007-10-02 ]

Real estate in the Lake Arenal region of Costa Rica is exploding perhaps due to the high prices for beach front and ocean view properties in Costa Rica. Although affordable parcels of land are still available. If one is patient and willing to look around. The town of Nuevo Arenal situated on the bank of Lake Arenal, is a town of contrasts, with many Costa Rican small land owners sharing their town with a ever increasing ex-patriate community lured by the tremendous scenery, unspoiled purity and affordable living that one encounters in the immediate area. [ http://www.redsunsetcr.com/ title=Lake Arenal Rental Home - The Red Sunset of Guanacaste cite web|url=http://moranlakearenal.com/ |title=Lake Arenal Real Estate Costa Rica - Moran Real Estate |accessdate=2007-10-02 ]

Wildlife

Primarily, there are two species of fish in Lake Arenal, the Machaca fish (not to be confused with Machaca food) and Bass. Birds found in the area include the hummingbird and woodpecker, kingfisher, toucan, aricari and a pletheroa of others making the area a bird lovers paradise.

References

External links

* [http://www.redsunsetcr.com}
* [http://www.arenal.net/lake-arenal.htm Lake Arenal information on arenal.net]
* [http://www.sabalito.com Guide and photos of the Northwest area of Lake Arenal]
* [http://www.costaricaiswaitingforyou.com/eng/1060.htm Pictures of Arenal Lake]
* [http://www.zerokarma.com/photoalbum/thumbnails-16-page-2.html Pictures and Photos of Lake Arenal]