Lake Miguel Alemán Explained

Lake Miguel Alemán
Location:San Miguel Soyaltepec, Oaxaca, Mexico
Coords:18.2389°N -96.5124°W
Inflow:Tonto River, Santo Domingo River
Basin Countries:Mexico
Pushpin Map:Mexico Oaxaca
Area:47800ha
Volume:6.77km3
Islands:Isabel Maria islands

Lake Miguel Alemán is in the Papaloapan Region of northern Oaxaca state, Mexico.It was formed by the Miguel Alemán Dam on the Tonto River, and is connected by a channel to the reservoir of the Cerro de Oro Dam on the Santo Domingo River. The Tonto and Santo Domingo rivers join downstream of the dams to form the Papaloapan River.The lake is scenic, providing income from fishing and tourism. The northwestern shore and islands have been declared a nature reserve.[1] Commercial fisheries produce approximately 700 tons per year.[2] The hilltops in the area covered by the lake are now the San Miguel Soyaltepec and Isabel Maria Islands.The reservoir contains catfish, tilapia, and carp and other types of fish.Tourist activities include sport fishing, water skiing, rowing and boat tours provided by the local fishermen.Important boat races are sometimes held in May.[3]

In recent years there has been a re-evaluation of the Papaloapan Project's impact on the environment.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Book: 225. Mexico handbook. Patrick Maher. Footprint Travel Guides. 2000. 1-900949-53-9.
  2. Web site: 78. PRESA MIGUEL ALEMÁN - CERRO DE ORO. Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad. 2010-07-02.
  3. Web site: Miguel Aleman Dam. Secretary of Tourism of the State of Oaxaca. 2010-06-30.
  4. Patrick H. Cosby, "Leviathan in the Tropics: A postcolonial environmental history of the Papaloapan Projects in Mexico." PhD diss. University of Florida 2011.