Chagres National Park is a nature park and protected area that was established in 1986. It is located in the Panamá and Colón provinces, in the eastern part of the Panama Canal. The park covers an area of 129,000 hectares (320,000 acres).
The park spans the Chagres Highlands, which are a group of low mountains that are fed by the beginning parts of the Chagres River. The southern part of these mountains is called the Serranía Piedras-Pacora, and it is part of the Continental Divide of the Americas.
Chagres National Park is next to Portobelo National Park to the northwest and the Narganá Wilderness Area to the east.
Environment
The park includes tropical rainforests and rivers that provide enough water to keep Gatun Lake full and working properly. Gatun Lake is the main lake of the Panama Canal. The rivers that supply water to the lake are the Chagres River and the Gatun River. The highest point in the park is Cerro Jefe, which is 1,007 meters above sea level. The park is considered a Key Biodiversity Area, meaning it is very important for many plant and animal species worldwide. It has also been named an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. The frog Ectopoglossus isthminus is nearly endemic to the national park, meaning it is found almost only there.
Panama Canal Watershed
The park was established in 1985 to protect the natural forest that makes up the area.
- To provide enough water of good quality to ensure the Panama Canal operates properly
- To supply drinking water for the cities of Panama, Colon, and La Chorrera
- To produce electricity for the cities of Panama and Colon