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]

Lake Miguel Alemán
Lake Miguel Alemán is located in Oaxaca
Lake Miguel Alemán
Lake Miguel Alemán
LocationSan Miguel Soyaltepec, Oaxaca, Mexico
Coordinates18°14′19.94″N 96°30′44.55″W / 18.2388722°N 96.5123750°W / 18.2388722; -96.5123750
Primary inflowsTonto River, Santo Domingo River
Basin countriesMexico
Surface area47,800 ha (118,000 acres)
Water volume6.77 km3 (1.62 cu mi)
IslandsIsabel Maria islands

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

References

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  1. ^ Patrick Maher (2000). Mexico handbook. Footprint Travel Guides. p. 225. ISBN 1-900949-53-9.
  2. ^ "78. PRESA MIGUEL ALEMÁN - CERRO DE ORO". Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  3. ^ "Miguel Aleman Dam". Secretary of Tourism of the State of Oaxaca. Retrieved 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.