Lake Chapala

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Lake Chapala from space, April 1994

Lake Chapala (Spanish: Lago de Chapala) is Mexico's largest freshwater lake.

It is centred around 20°20′N, 103°00′W, 45 km southeast of Guadalajara, Jalisco, and stands on the border between the states of Jalisco and Michoacán, at 1,524 metres above sea level. Its approximate dimensions are 80 km from east to west and 18 km from north to south, and it covers a total of some 1100 km². It is a shallow lake, with a mean depth of 4.5 metres and a maximum of 10.5.

It is fed by the Río Lerma, Río Zula, Río Huaracha, and Río Duero rivers, and drained by the Río Santiago. The water then flows northwest into the Pacific Ocean. The lake also contains two small islands.

Lake Chapala's water levels and water quality are threatened due to over-exploitation of its waters and of the surrounding land. The over-exploitation of this lake has been a result of Guadalajara's growing demand for fresh water. The water level drop has uncovered political issues that had been hidden for many years. Its fast decay has raised concern in the surrounding areas and in the scientific community. It was the Global Nature Fund's "Threatened Lake of the Year" in 2004. In 2003 and 2004, however, there were reports that water levels in Lake Chapala had risen dramatically. [1] This has led to an even bigger problem as there are gigantic 'islands' of seaweed that at times cover most of the lake. The rapid rise in Lake levels is due in part to an exceptually rainy season and the removal of numerous unauthorized dams upstream.

Real estate values fluctuate with the level of the Lake although there is some year or two lag time before lake levels are reflected in real estate prices.

The lake is also a critical habitat for several species of migratory birds, such as the White Pelican, and home to thousands of indigenous plants and animals. Untreated industrial and agricultural runoff threaten the health of this critical lake. The rapid development of the Lake Chapala region has spurred grassroots conservation programs to maintain the natural habitats of the lake and maintain a healthy ecotourism industry.

In recent years, because of the benign prevailing climate and attractive scenery, a numerous colony of retirees, including many from the United States and Canada, has established itself on the lake's shore, particularly in the town of Ajijic, Jalisco, located just west of the city of Chapala.