Is there a threat of running out of water used from Gatun Lake and shutting down the Canal Locks?

Question

Is there a threat of running out of water used from Gatun Lake and shutting down the Canal Locks?

Answer 1

Panamanians know what will happen if they cannot maintain an adequate supply of water for the canal. In the drought winter of 1990-91, lack of water forced canal operators to curtail lockages to fewer than 30 a day.

Gatún Lake is fed chiefly by the Chagres River, which was dammed during the construction of the canal. It straddles the isthmus at the canal's highest elevation, and part of the canal runs through it.

So the answers is yes, there is a threat.  However, it is a complicated problem with deforestation involved.

To get more info, go to:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/24/scienc...