Lake Amatitlán

Infobox lake
lake_name = Lake Amatitlán
image_lake = Pacaya-09.jpg
caption_lake = The lake under Pacaya volcano (in background right)
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = south-central Guatemala
coords = coord|14|28|16|N|90|34|54|W|region:GT_type:waterbody_source:dewiki|display=inline,title
type =
inflow = Villalobos River
outflow = Michatoya River
catchment =
basin_countries = Guatemala
length = 11 km
width = 3 km
area = 15.2 km²
depth = 33 m
max-depth =
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = 1,186 m
islands =
cities = Amatitlán

Lake Amatitlán ("Lago de Amatitlán") is a volcanic lake in south-central Guatemala, fairly close to Guatemala City. It lies in the central highlands, 1,186 m (3890 feet) above sea level.cite web | url=http://www.insivumeh.gob.gt/hidrologia/lagos.htm | publisher= | title=Indice de lagos | author=INSIVUMEH | access=2008 | format=] It's maximum depth is 33 m (108 feet) and an average of 18 m (59 feet). The lake is 11 km (7 miles) long and 3 km (2 miles) wide; with an area of 15.2 square kilometers (6 square miles) and a water volume of 0.286 cubic kilometers.

The lake's primary inflow is the Villalobos River, and the lake is drained by the Michatoya River, an important tributary of the María Linda River. The town of Amatitlán is situated at the head of the Michatoya river. A dam with a railway on top was constructed at the narrowest point, thus effectively dividing the lake in to two water bodies with different physical, chemical and biological characteristics: A northwestern and a southeastern basin.

The lake is used as a water source, for navigation and transportation, sightseeing and tourism(10,000 visitors annually), recreation (swimming, sport-fishing, water skiing, yachting) and fisheries.

Pollution

Amtatitlán lake's catchment area includes Guatemala city. Large quantities of untreated sewage and industrial waste have contributed to the lake's pollution and accelerated eutrophication. [cite web | url=http://www.globalnature.org/docs/02_vorlage.asp?id=21298&sp=E&m1=11089&m2=28219&m3=18849&m4=21298&m5=&domid=1011 | publisher= | title=Lake Amatitlan - Guatemala| author=Global Nature Fund| access=2008 | format=] Siltation damage is deemed as serious.

Notes

References

: cite book |author=aut|Anton, Danilo J. |year=1993 |title=Thirsty Cities: Urban Environments and Water Supply in Latin America |location=Ottawa, Ont. |url=http://web.idrc.ca/openebooks/666-7/ | publisher=International Development Research Centre (IDRC) |isbn=0–88936–666–7 |oclc=: cite book |author=Muñoz, c.; Velasquez, E.; Aragon, Y.R. |year=1978 |title=Estudio de aguas subterráneas en el Valle de la Ciudad de Guatemala |series= |location=Guatemala City|publisher=Ministerio de Comunicaciones y Obras Publicas, Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrológica |isbn= |oclc=

External links

* [http://www.insivumeh.gob.gt/ Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meterología e Hidrolagía (INSIVUMEH)]
* [http://www.globalnature.org/docs/02_vorlage.asp?id=21298&sp=E&m1=11089&m2=28219&m3=18849&m4=21298&m5=&domid=1011 Global Nature Fund - Lake Amatitlan - Guatemala]
* [http://www.ilec.or.jp/database/nam/nam-41.html International Lake Environment Committee (ILEC)