outdoors

Also in this section:
The birds that moved in when they imported snails to eat the canal's weeds
Serving the birdwatching industry, creating economic opportunities in Achiote

Rainy season at the Gatun Spillway

Rainy season at the Gatun Spillway

photo by Eric Jackson

Because increased canal traffic means increased water usage to run the locks, the Panama Canal spills less water from Gatun Lake than they did in decades past.

However, we are having one of the wettest years on record and the forecast is for a relatively rainy dry season ahead of us. Thus the Panama Canal Authority has to open gates in the spillway on Gatun Dam to keep the lake around which the canal is built from overflowing its banks and causing problems.

Also in this section:
The birds that moved in when they imported snails to eat the canal's weeds
Serving the birdwatching industry, creating economic opportunities in Achiote

Rainy season at the Gatun Spillway