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Lake Arenal

Coordinates: 10°30′19″N 84°52′20″W / 10.505167°N 84.872168°W / 10.505167; -84.872168
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Lake Arenal
A view from the southwest side looking across at the north depth 30–60 m (98–197 ft)
Lake Arenal is located in Costa Rica
Lake Arenal
Lake Arenal
Location in Costa Rica
LocationAlajuela and Guanacaste Provinces, Costa Rica
Coordinates10°30′19″N 84°52′20″W / 10.505167°N 84.872168°W / 10.505167; -84.872168
Max. length30 kilometres (19 mi)
Max. width5 kilometres (3.1 mi)
Surface area85 square kilometres (33 sq mi)
Max. depth100 metres (330 ft)
IslandsIsla Arenal
SettlementsNuevo Arenal, Tronadora
Official nameCuenca Embalse Arenal
Designated7 March 2000
Reference no.1022[1]

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

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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

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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

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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]

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Panorama of the area around Arenal Lake.
Lake Arenal windsurf and kite surf beach at the Tico Wind peninsula

References

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  1. ^ "Cuenca Embalse Arenal". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  2. ^ Stater, Adam. "Lake Arenal Depth".
  3. ^ https://www.beatriceco.com/bti/porticus/beatrice/pdf/1972BFar_Complete.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  4. ^ Pérez, Carlos (2006-12-13). "Minutes of the Workshop on Adaptation to Climate Change in Costa Rica. Results of the Event". San José, Costa Rica: Trofcca Central America. Archived from the original (DOC) on 2011-05-18. Retrieved 2019-10-02. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ "Lake Arenal Costa Rica Tico Wind Windsurf Center - Windsurfing Kiteboarding Rentals Lessons". Retrieved 2015-10-07.
  6. ^ "Costa Rica Stand Up Paddling Tours". www.desafiocostarica.com. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  7. ^ Stater, Adam. "Lake Arenal Activities".

lake arenal fishing.https://arenalfishing.com/

[edit]
 https://arenalfishing.com/
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