Laguna Catemaco
Laguna Catemaco in Veracruz, Mexico lies 12 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico
bounded by foothills of Volcano San Martín Tuxtla and the Sierra Santa Marta. It is not
a crater lake. The lake was formed eons ago, when lava flow from Volcano San
Martín Tuxtla blocked its current northern end near Coyame, and now stands at 1,115
feet above sea level.
The lake is shallow, averaging 25 feet, with a maximum depth of 72 feet located in
the channel between Isla Agaltepec and the city of Catemaco. The laguna drains via
the Rio Grande de Catemaco towards Alvarado and its water level is controlled by
several dams which replaced historic waterfalls. The Eyipantla waterfall dramatically
drops the river by 200 feet.
bounded by foothills of Volcano San Martín Tuxtla and the Sierra Santa Marta. It is not
a crater lake. The lake was formed eons ago, when lava flow from Volcano San
Martín Tuxtla blocked its current northern end near Coyame, and now stands at 1,115
feet above sea level.
The lake is shallow, averaging 25 feet, with a maximum depth of 72 feet located in
the channel between Isla Agaltepec and the city of Catemaco. The laguna drains via
the Rio Grande de Catemaco towards Alvarado and its water level is controlled by
several dams which replaced historic waterfalls. The Eyipantla waterfall dramatically
drops the river by 200 feet.
The tropical rain forest that once covered the watershed of the
lake has been severely decimated in the last few decades.
Consequently sedimentation has greatly increased and affects
the clarity of its waters.
Prevailing climate is hot and humid with average temperature of
75f. Rainfall varies seasonally with averages of 81 inches
recorded at Catemaco and more than double that at Coyame
(across the laguna). March to early June is the dry season.
Winds from the Gulf of Mexico enter the Catemaco laguna
watershed to the north of the town of Coyame, and cross the
lake in a NE-SW direction, blowing strongly over the lake
throughout the year. From February to October, northeast
winds are dominant. Colder and faster northern winds blow
from November to January.
lake has been severely decimated in the last few decades.
Consequently sedimentation has greatly increased and affects
the clarity of its waters.
Prevailing climate is hot and humid with average temperature of
75f. Rainfall varies seasonally with averages of 81 inches
recorded at Catemaco and more than double that at Coyame
(across the laguna). March to early June is the dry season.
Winds from the Gulf of Mexico enter the Catemaco laguna
watershed to the north of the town of Coyame, and cross the
lake in a NE-SW direction, blowing strongly over the lake
throughout the year. From February to October, northeast
winds are dominant. Colder and faster northern winds blow
from November to January.
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Lake Catemaco has a surface area of 28 square miles, is
almost square with maximum width and axis of a little more than
6.2 miles. The laguna is Mexico´s #18 in size of water bodies,
#7 in size of lakes and lagunas, #3 in size of true lakes.
The shoreline is irregular, with remnants of several volcanic
cones and its perimeter is about 50 kilometers (31 miles) and is
an ideal venue for triathlons.
There are several volcanic islands within the lake. Several of
these islands retain Macaque monkeys, previously imported
from Thailand for an abandoned research project.
The presence of the monkeys has led to almost 100 small boats
(lanchas) scurrying tourists from Catemaco city across the
lake to see these Thai monkeys.
almost square with maximum width and axis of a little more than
6.2 miles. The laguna is Mexico´s #18 in size of water bodies,
#7 in size of lakes and lagunas, #3 in size of true lakes.
The shoreline is irregular, with remnants of several volcanic
cones and its perimeter is about 50 kilometers (31 miles) and is
an ideal venue for triathlons.
There are several volcanic islands within the lake. Several of
these islands retain Macaque monkeys, previously imported
from Thailand for an abandoned research project.
The presence of the monkeys has led to almost 100 small boats
(lanchas) scurrying tourists from Catemaco city across the
lake to see these Thai monkeys.
The University of Veracruz maintains a current research
project of Mexican Howler monkeys on Isla Agaltepec which
is closed to casual visitors.
Laguna Catemaco is one of the more productive lakes in
Mexico. Large netting is prohibited to assure the livelihood of
almost 1000 registered fishermen. A perch like fish
introduced from Africa (Mojarra Tilapia), a sardine like
Topote, and the snail Tegogolo are the most common
catches.
project of Mexican Howler monkeys on Isla Agaltepec which
is closed to casual visitors.
Laguna Catemaco is one of the more productive lakes in
Mexico. Large netting is prohibited to assure the livelihood of
almost 1000 registered fishermen. A perch like fish
introduced from Africa (Mojarra Tilapia), a sardine like
Topote, and the snail Tegogolo are the most common
catches.
Information:
Photos & slideshow of Laguna Catemaco
A trip to the Monkey Islands
Hotels around Laguna Catemaco, including Nanciyaga
tuxtlas.com - Laguna Catemaco - non touristic details
Photos & slideshow of Laguna Catemaco
A trip to the Monkey Islands
Hotels around Laguna Catemaco, including Nanciyaga
tuxtlas.com - Laguna Catemaco - non touristic details
| The world according to Don Gringo, XXI century explorer. |
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