Lake Alajuela

9°14′04″N 79°34′32″W / 9.23444°N 79.57556°W / 9.23444; -79.57556Lake typeReservoirPrimary outflowsPanama CanalCatchment area1,026 km² (396 sq mi)Basin countriesPanamaSurface area50.2 km² (19.4 sq mi)Water volumeca. 600 hm³ (2.1×10¹⁰ cu ft)^[1])Surface elevation76.8 m (252 ft)

Lake Alajuela (Spanish: Lago Alajuela) is an artificial lake in the Chagres River basin. The lake is bounded by the Madden Dam and linked to the Panama Canal. Lake Alajuela serves as a reservoir for the canal, which lies to the lake's southwest.^[2] It was created in 1935 by damming up the Madden River. The Chagres, Pequení, Boquerón, Salamanca, La Puente, Indio, Piedras, San Cristóbal and Escandaloso rivers flow into the lake. The rivers of Lake Alajuela contribute 45 percent of the total water for the canal.^[3] As of 1987, it provided all of the drinking water for Panama City.^[4]

The reservoir was formerly known as Madden Lake when the Canal Zone was under U.S. administration and was renamed after control of the canal was handed over to Panama.^[2]

In early December 2010, Lake Alajuela reached its highest recorded water level, prompting authorities to close the Panama Canal for 17 hours.^[2] The canal reopened on December 9.

In late August 2023, the lake was reported to be at its lowest levels in recent years, limiting Panama Canal traffic.^[5]

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