Lake Alajuela, reservoir in Panama
Lake Alajuela is a large reservoir in Panama created in 1935 when the Madden Dam was built on the river Chagres. The lake features a wide water surface surrounded by green hills and contains small tree-covered islands within its expanse.
The lake was created in 1935 to store and manage water for the Panama Canal system. Originally called Lake Madden by American administrators, it was renamed when Panama regained control of the canal zone.
The lake's name reflects Panama's sovereignty after taking control of the canal zone from American administrators. Local fishing communities shape daily life along the shore, where traditional practices with hand nets and small boats remain central to how people interact with the water.
The lake has no major tourist facilities, so it is best experienced as part of the local landscape where you can observe the simple work of fishing communities. Visitors should be aware of boat safety concerns and respect local practices, especially when fishermen are working along the shore.
Many local residents still call it Lake Madden despite the official name change, reflecting how deeply the American colonial period remains part of everyday speech. The lake's water storage is so critical that its water levels have actually caused temporary closures of the nearby Panama Canal, as happened in 2010.
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