Gatún Dam

dam, Panama

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June 29, 2026

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The Gatún Dam, completed in 1912, is a crucial component of the Panama Canal system in Panama. It was built across the Chagres River to create Gatún Lake, which was once the largest artificial lake in the world. This dam and spillway regulate water levels between 82 and 87 feet above sea level. The lake's primary purpose is to supply water for the canal's locks, especially during dry periods, and to maintain water levels in the Gaillard Cut. The dam's construction was essential for controlling the Chagres River's flow and enabling the lock-type canal design favored by engineers.12

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Chagres River
…Gatún Lake, created by the Gatún Dam (1912) with which are associated locks and a hydroelectric plant. The Chagres there leaves the canal and flows into the Caribbean Sea west of Limón Bay. Originally characterized by rapids throughout, the river is navigable only in its canalized portions. The river supplies…
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…Gatún Lake, created by the Gatún Dam (1912) with which are associated locks and a hydroelectric plant. The Chagres there leaves the canal and flows into the Caribbean Sea west of Limón Bay. Originally characterized by rapids throughout, the river is navigable only in its canalized portions. The river supplies…
Read More