Lake Arenal
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| Lake Arenal | |
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| A view from the southwest side looking across at the north | |
| Coordinates | 10°32′N 84°56′W / 10.53°N 84.93°WCoordinates: 10°32′N 84°56′W / 10.53°N 84.93°W |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | Costa Rica |
| Average depth | 100-200 ft |
Lake Arenal is a reservoir in Costa Rica, formed by enlarging an existing small lake of the same name by the completion of a dam in 1979. It is located near the Arenal Volcano and the Monteverde cloud forest. Lake Arenal is the key driver in a nationwide hydroelectric project that currently produces the majority of electricity for the entire country.[1]. Water depth generally varies between 100 and 200 feet (61 m). The communities of "old" Arenal and Tronadora were submerged by the expanded lake.The Arenal National Park created in 1991, is located on Costa Rica’s central northern plains. The Arenal Volcano is the most active volcano in Costa Rica. It stands 1,657 meters ( 5,435 feet) high above the eastern shores of Lake Arenal. Its conical shape typical of a strato volcano is made of successive layers of eruptions, rocks, ashes and lava. The most recent eruptive period began with a major explosive eruption in 1968, after 400 years of being dormant. The land-locked national park is also the home of Costa Rica’s largest artificial lake, which lies west of the volcano. The majestic lake Arenal was enlarged to three times its original size to form a 33-square-mile (85 km2) basin that feeds the hydroelectric dam, which produces 70% of Costa Rica’s electricity. Under the water of the lake, lies the abandoned town of Arenal.
From November through April the dependable strong winds attract windsurfers to its western end.[2] Many consider Lake Arenal the world's foremost windsurfing area.
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[edit] Wildlife
Primarily, there are two species of fish in Lake Arenal, the Machaca fish (not to be confused with Machaca food) and Bass. Birds found in the area include the hummingbird and woodpecker, kingfisher, toucan, aricari and a pletheroa of others making the area a bird lovers paradise.
[edit] Gallery
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 hydro-electricity on Lake Arenal. |
 Wind power plant of Tierras Morenas, around Lake Arenal. |
[edit] References
- ^ Pérez, Carlos (2006-12-13), "Results of the Event" (DOC), Minutes of the Workshop on Adaptation to Climate Change in Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica: Trofcca Central America, http://www.cifor.cgiar.org/trofcca/america/workshops/wrkshp_adapt_costa_rica_Dec_2006.doc, retrieved 2007-10-02
- ^ "Lake Arenal Costa Rica Tilawa Windsurf Center - Windsuring Kiteboarding Rentals Lessons". http://windsurfcostarica.com/. Retrieved 2007-10-02.
[edit] External links
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