Lake Arenal

Lake Arenal
Lake Arenal
	A view from the southwest side looking across at the north depth 30–60 m (98–197 ft)
	Lake Arenal Location in Costa Rica
Location	Alajuela and Guanacaste Provinces, Costa Rica
Coordinates	10°30′19″N 84°52′20″W / 10.505167°N 84.872168°W
Max. length	30 kilometres (19 mi)
Max. width	5 kilometres (3.1 mi)
Surface area	85 square kilometres (33 sq mi)
Max. depth	100 metres (330 ft)
Islands	Isla Arenal
Settlements	Nuevo Arenal, Tronadora
Ramsar Wetland
Official name	Cuenca Embalse Arenal
Designated	7 March 2000
Reference no.	1022

Lake Arenal (Spanish: Lago Arenal) is a lake in the northern highlands of Costa Rica. It is the largest lake in Costa Rica at 85-square-kilometre (33 sq mi). Its depth varies between 30 and 60 meters (100–200 feet) seasonally.^[2]

Originally a natural lake, Lake Arenal was tripled in size with the 1979 construction of the Presa Sangregado Dam at its northern end. All land below the 550-meter level was expropriated by the Costa Rican government. The old towns of Arenal and Tronadora now lie at the bottom of the lake; their residents were resettled in the new town of Arenal to the northeast. The dam also displaced a large cattle operation, Hacienda La Rosita, which was owned and operated by P. Eckrich & Sons, a subsidiary of the U.S. corporation Beatrice Foods.^[3] Hacienda La Rosita occupied most of the land that is now Lake Arenal as well as additional land surrounding the lake.

Hydroelectricity

The Presa Sangregado Dam hydroelectric project at the western end of the lake is strategically important to Costa Rica. It initially generated 70% of the country's electricity, though now it generates closer to 17%. It was a driving force behind Costa Rica's green energy policy.^[4]

Wildlife

Fish species in Lake Arenal include the machaca and the rainbow bass. There are also many species of plants, 120 of mammals (including jaguar and tapir), and 300 of birds (including quetzal).

Recreation

From November through April the strong, dependable winds attract windsurfers and kite surfers to its western end.^[5] Many consider Lake Arenal one of the world's foremost windsurfing and kite surfing areas. Wakeboarding is gaining popularity in Costa Rica, with Lake Arenal being the center of this activity. Stand up paddling^[6] and kayaking are also popular activities for tourists visiting the lake's Eastern part near the earthen dam. There is much good fishing (primarily for rainbow bass) and now kayak fishing opportunities in the shallow and secluded coves. The area surrounding the lake has good hiking, biking, bird watching, and horseback riding opportunities.^[7]

Gallery

hydro-electricity on Lake Arenal.
Wind power plant of Tierras Morenas, around Lake Arenal.
Horse grazing on the shore of the Lake with the Arenal Volcano in the background.
View of the lake from the village of El Fosforo, on the southeastern shore.