Lake Bato

Lake Bato
Location Bato, Camarines Sur, Luzon
Primary inflows local run-off and several small streams
Primary outflows a tributary of the Bicol River
Basin countries Philippines
Surface area 2,810 ha
Average depth 8 m
Surface elevation 10 m (33 ft)
Settlements Bato, Camarines Sur

Lake Bato is a freshwater lake and the 7th largest in the Philippines. It is located in the town of Bato, approximately 9 km southwest of Iriga City, Camarines Sur Province, Southeastern Luzon, Philippines. It has extensive marshes and swamp forests. The lake drains into a tributary of the Bicol River which enters the sea near Naga City. Average depth is 8m, and the bottom is muddy clay. The pH value is 6.1, the average dissolved oxygen 10 p.p.m., and the total hardness (SBY) 2.4.[1]

Contents

History

The lake was originally called "Caligno" by natives living around the area and a small settlement was founded on its shores during pre-Spanish times; the early settlers thrived on the lake's rich resources and use it as a primary medium of travel. The settlement flourished on to become the present-day town of Bato, Camarines Sur and the lake came to be named after the town, which was established by a decree of the Superior Government (National Government) on February 15, 1758, [2] when the Philippines was still under the Viceroyalty of New Spain.

The "Sinarapan"

Lake Bato is part of the Rinconada (Bicol) Lakes System, which also includes Lake Buhi and Lake Baao-Bula. It is known that the Sinarapan (Mistichthys luzonensis), the world's smallest commercially-harvested fish in the world, is also found in its waters. "Sinarapan" literally means "caught by sarap" in Buhi in this early historical context. However, the same fish is called "tabios" in Bato, Nabua, Baao and Bula, Camarines Sur. The etymology of "tabios", however, is quite vague. The name is not found in the scientific literature unlike "Sinarapan". It is believed that "Tabios" is only used in the vernacular pertaining to the local fishery.[3] At present, the Sinarapan is threatened by extinction due to overfishing and other factors but efforts to conserve it are ongoing. Such is this specie's importance to the lake's ecosystem since it is endemic only to this region.

Notes

  1. ^ ARBC.org - Philippine Wetlands (retrieved: 3-9-09)
  2. ^ History of Bato, Camarines Sur
  3. ^ Reviving the Sinarapan: The World's Smallest Commercial Fish; Dr. V.S. Soliman; Haring Ibon Magazine (retrieved: 3-9-09)

References

Major
Laguna de Bay · Lake Lanao · Taal Lake · Lake Mainit · Naujan Lake · Lake Buluan · Lake Bato · Lake Pagusi · Lake Labas · Lake Lumao
Minor
Lake Apo · Lake Baao · Lake Balanan · Lake Balinsasayao · Lake Bito · Lake Balukbaluk · Lake Basak · Lake Bulusan · Lake Buhi · Lake Bunot · Cabalian Lake · Lake Calibato · Lake Dagianan · Lake Danao (Albay) · Lake Danao (Cebu) · Lake Danao (Leyte) · Lake Danao (Negros) · Lake Dapao · Lake Dasay · Lake Duminagat · Lake Gunao · Lake Kalanganan · Lake Lahit · Lake Leonard · Lake Manguao · Mapanuepe Lake · Lake Maragang · Lake Maughan · Lake Muhikap · Lake Nabua · Lake Napalit · Lake Palakpakin · Lake Panamao · Lakes Pandin and Yambo · Lake Paoay · Lake Pendo · Lake Pinamaloy · Lake Pinatubo · Lake Putia · Lake Sampaloc · Lake Seit · Lake Sebu · Lake Seloton · Lake Sultan · Lake Tadlac · Lake Talao · Lake Tikub · Lake Venado · Lake Wood · Lake Uyaan
Artificial
Ambuklao Reservoir · Binga Reservoir · Lake Caliraya · Chico Reservoir · La Mesa Reservoir · Labasin Lake · Lumot Lake · Magat Reservoir · Lake Pantabangan · Pulangi IV Reservoir