Lake Junín
Encyclopedia
Lake Junín, known as Lago Junín in Spanish
and Chinchaycocha ("Northern Lake") in Quechua, is the largest lake entirely within Peru
. Even though Lake Titicaca
has a much larger area, its eastern half is located on Bolivia
n territory. Located at approximately 4082 metres (13,392.4 ft) above sea level, Lake Junín is an important birdwatching
destination in the country.
Most of the lake is located in the Junín Province
of the Junín Region
, its northwestern tip belongs to the Pasco Province
, which is in the Pasco Region
.
Lake Junín is surrounded by emergent vegetation
, which in some places can reach 6 km wide and become so dense that it is impenetrable. The fish fauna is abundant but includes several introduced species
. The introduced trout
have been implicated in the decline of some native species.
The lake is within the Amazon
catchment. There is a hydroelectric power station, which regulates the water level of the lake at the outflow of the lake, through the Upamayo river. In years of abundant rains, fluctuations in the water level are moderate, but in years of drought water level may drop 1.5–2 m (4.9–6.6 ft) leaving extensive areas exposed.
Since 1933 there has been an inflow of mining residues into the lake, which has adversely affected the fish and bird fauna in parts of the lake. Sewage coming from the cities of Junín
and Carhuamayo also pollutes the lake. These types of pollution are contributing to the natural eutrophication
process of this wetland
.
Lake Junín has two endemic birds: The critically endangered Junín Flightless Grebe (Podiceps taczanowskii) and the endangered Junín Rail
(Laterallus tuerosi). The two endangered species of frogs in the genus Batrachophrynus
are restricted to the vicinity of the lake, although only one of these, the entirely aquatic Lake Junín Giant Frog
(B. macrostomus), is found in the lake itself.
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
and Chinchaycocha ("Northern Lake") in Quechua, is the largest lake entirely within Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
. Even though Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is a lake located on the border of Peru and Bolivia. It sits 3,811 m above sea level, making it the highest commercially navigable lake in the world...
has a much larger area, its eastern half is located on Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
n territory. Located at approximately 4082 metres (13,392.4 ft) above sea level, Lake Junín is an important birdwatching
Birdwatching
Birdwatching or birding is the observation of birds as a recreational activity. It can be done with the naked eye, through a visual enhancement device like binoculars and telescopes, or by listening for bird sounds. Birding often involves a significant auditory component, as many bird species are...
destination in the country.
Most of the lake is located in the Junín Province
Junín Province
Junín Province is a province in northwestern Junín Region, in the central highlands of Peru. Its capital is the city of Junín.-Geography:thumb|left|200px|Junín Lake, Perú...
of the Junín Region
Junín Region
Junín is a region in the central highlands and westernmost Amazonia of Peru. Its capital is Huancayo.-Geography:The region has a very heterogeneous topography. The western cordillera located near the border with the Lima Region, has snowy and ice covered peaks. On the east, there are high glacier...
, its northwestern tip belongs to the Pasco Province
Pasco Province
The Pasco Province is one of the three provinces that make up the Pasco Region in Peru.- Boundaries :*North: Huánuco Region*East: Oxapampa Province*South: Junín Region*West: Lima Region, Daniel A...
, which is in the Pasco Region
Pasco Region
Pasco is a region in central Peru. Its capital is Cerro de Pasco.-Political division:The region is divided into 3 provinces , which are composed of 28 districts .-Provinces:...
.
Lake Junín is surrounded by emergent vegetation
Emergent plant
An emergent plant is one which grows in water but which pierces the surface so that it is partially in air. Collectively, such plants are emergent vegetation....
, which in some places can reach 6 km wide and become so dense that it is impenetrable. The fish fauna is abundant but includes several introduced species
Introduced species
An introduced species — or neozoon, alien, exotic, non-indigenous, or non-native species, or simply an introduction, is a species living outside its indigenous or native distributional range, and has arrived in an ecosystem or plant community by human activity, either deliberate or accidental...
. The introduced trout
Trout
Trout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
have been implicated in the decline of some native species.
The lake is within the Amazon
Amazon Basin
The Amazon Basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries that drains an area of about , or roughly 40 percent of South America. The basin is located in the countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela...
catchment. There is a hydroelectric power station, which regulates the water level of the lake at the outflow of the lake, through the Upamayo river. In years of abundant rains, fluctuations in the water level are moderate, but in years of drought water level may drop 1.5–2 m (4.9–6.6 ft) leaving extensive areas exposed.
Since 1933 there has been an inflow of mining residues into the lake, which has adversely affected the fish and bird fauna in parts of the lake. Sewage coming from the cities of Junín
Junín, Peru
Junín is a town in Central Peru, capital of the province Junín in the region Junín....
and Carhuamayo also pollutes the lake. These types of pollution are contributing to the natural eutrophication
Eutrophication
Eutrophication or more precisely hypertrophication, is the movement of a body of water′s trophic status in the direction of increasing plant biomass, by the addition of artificial or natural substances, such as nitrates and phosphates, through fertilizers or sewage, to an aquatic system...
process of this wetland
Wetland
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
.
Lake Junín has two endemic birds: The critically endangered Junín Flightless Grebe (Podiceps taczanowskii) and the endangered Junín Rail
Junín Rail
The Junin Crake or Junin Rail is a species of bird in the Rallidae family. It has sometimes considered a distinctive subspecies of the Black Rail ....
(Laterallus tuerosi). The two endangered species of frogs in the genus Batrachophrynus
Batrachophrynus
Batrachophrynus is a genus of leptodactylid frogs. They live at altitudes of in the Andes of Junín and Pasco in central Peru. The genus includes one completely aquatic and one semi-aquatic species. Both have declined in recent years and are now considered endangered mainly due to capture for human...
are restricted to the vicinity of the lake, although only one of these, the entirely aquatic Lake Junín Giant Frog
Lake Junin (Giant) Frog
The Lake Junin Giant Frog or Lake Junin Frog is a very large and endangered species of frog in the Leptodactylidae family. It is endemic to altitudes of in the Andes of Junín and Pasco in central Peru...
(B. macrostomus), is found in the lake itself.