Lake Venado

Lake Venado
Seen from Mount Apo
Location	North Cotabato
Coordinates	7°00′8.34″N 125°16′9.54″E / 7.0023167°N 125.2693167°E / 7.0023167; 125.2693167Coordinates: 7°00′8.34″N 125°16′9.54″E / 7.0023167°N 125.2693167°E / 7.0023167; 125.2693167
Type	Endorheic
Basin countries	Philippines
Max. depth	20 ft (6.10 m)[1]
Surface elevation	2,194.56 m (7,200.00 ft)[2]
Settlements	Kidapawan City
References	[2]

Lake Venado is an endorheic lake located at the foot of Mount Apo in the province of North Cotabato, Mindanao, Philippines.^[3][4] It is the highest lake in the country,^[5] found in coordinates 7°00′8″N 125°16′10″E,^[6][7] with an estimated surface elevation of 7,200 feet (2,194 m above sea level). The lake is fed by local run-off and there is no outflow from the lake. The lake usually loses two-thirds of its size during dry months due to evaporation.

The name of the lake comes from the Spanish word "venado", which means "deer," owing to the deer-like shape of the lake.^[8] However, the local people living in the area called the lake "linaw", a Cebuano term for "clear", because the water of the lake is crystal-clear reflecting the peak of Mount Apo. The lake is believed to be enchanted by spirits living in the lake, according to the local tribes people.^[8]

The vicinity of the lake is a popular camping site for Filipino mountaineers en route to and coming down from the peak of Mount Apo, the Philippines' highest mountain. In 2007, a Filipino mountaineer coming down from the peak of Mount Apo, drowned in the lake.^{[1][5][9][10][11]}

References