Guajataca Lake, Reservoir between San Sebastián, Quebradillas, and Isabela, Puerto Rico
Guajataca Lake is a reservoir in northwestern Puerto Rico that stretches across San Sebastián, Quebradillas, and Isabela. Water flows into it from the Guajataca River and Río Chiquito de Cibao.
The Guajataca Dam was built in 1928 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers to support irrigation and water supply for the region. This large infrastructure project transformed how water was managed in northwestern Puerto Rico.
The name Guajataca comes from the Taíno people who lived here before Europeans arrived, and local businesses and organizations still use this designation today. This connection to the indigenous past matters to people in the region.
The reservoir is accessible for fishing, kayaking, and observing wildlife, with landing areas easy to reach from the main road. It is best to visit early in the day for calmer water and fewer visitors.
The water here runs about 10 degrees Fahrenheit (5.5 degrees Celsius) cooler than the surrounding region, which creates conditions for freshwater fish like peacock bass and largemouth bass. This unusual temperature allows fish species to thrive that are rare in tropical areas.
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