Ships Passing Through The Panama Canal Must Travel Through Lake
The Panama Canal is one of the busiest and most important waterways in the world. It connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and allows ships to avoid the long and treacherous journey around the southern tip of South America. In order to make that journey, however, ships must pass through Lake Gatun, which is located in the middle of Panama.
What is Lake Gatun?
Lake Gatun is a large artificial lake that was created as part of the construction of the Panama Canal. It was formed by damming the Chagres River, which flows through the middle of Panama. The lake is approximately 85 feet above sea level, and covers an area of about 164 square miles. It was created by carving out a valley and flooding it with water from the Chagres River. The lake serves as a crucial part of the canal system, and is used by ships traveling through the canal to help them climb over the hill that separates the two oceans.
Why is Lake Gatun important?
Lake Gatun is a crucial part of the Panama Canal system. It serves as a kind of "elevator" for ships, allowing them to climb over the hill that separates the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. When a ship enters the canal at sea level, it is lifted up by a series of locks until it reaches the level of Lake Gatun. The ship then travels across the lake, which is actually a kind of inland waterway, until it reaches the other side of the hill. It is then lowered down by another set of locks until it reaches sea level once again. Without Lake Gatun, the Panama Canal would not be able to function as it currently does, and ships would have to travel around the southern tip of South America in order to move between the two oceans.
How does Lake Gatun work?
Lake Gatun works by using the water from the Chagres River to lift ships up and over the hill that separates the two oceans. When a ship enters the canal, it is guided into a lock, which is a kind of chamber that can be filled with water or drained of water as needed. The lock is then closed, and the water is either added or removed until the ship is level with the next section of canal. This process is repeated several times until the ship reaches the level of Lake Gatun. Once the ship is in the lake, it is free to travel across the water until it reaches the other side of the hill. To lower the ship down to sea level again, the process is simply reversed.
Conclusion
Lake Gatun is a crucial part of the Panama Canal system, and without it, the canal would not be able to function as it currently does. Its unique design and engineering make it one of the most important waterways in the world, and it serves as a testament to human ingenuity and innovation. Whether you are a ship captain, a tourist, or simply interested in the workings of the world's great waterways, Lake Gatun and the Panama Canal are truly wonders to behold.