Lake Valencia

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Lake Valencia Lago de Valencia

Coordinates	10°11′N 67°44′WCoordinates: 10°11′N 67°44′W
Lake type	endorheic
Catchment area	2,646 km²
Basin countries	Venezuela
Surface area	350 km²
Average depth	18 m
Max. depth	39 m
Surface elevation	410 m

Lake Valencia (Spanish: Lago de Valencia) is the third largest lake in Venezuela, exceeded in size only by Lake Maracaibo and Lake Guri. It occupies one of the so-called Aragua valleys, enclosed between the parallel mountain ranges of the Cordillera de la Costa, the Maritime Andes. Its surface is 410 m above sea level, is about 30 km long, has an area of 350 km², and a catchment basin of 2,646 km², and lies partly in the state of Aragua (state). The maximum depth is 39 m, the mean depth 18 m.

The lake has a number of small islands, some inhabited, and receives the waters of a score of small streams from the surrounding mountains. The lake is endorheic, as the natural discharge level is at 427 m above sea level; the water level declined below this height about 250 years ago. It was formed approximately 2-3 million years ago due to faulting and subsequent damming of the Valencia River. The lake has been completely dry during several discrete periods of its geologic history. Since 1976 Lake Valencia water levels have risen due to diversion of water from neighboring watersheds—it currently acts as a reservoir for the surrounding urban centers (such as Maracay).

The lake suffers from algal blooms caused by continual influx of untreated wastewater from the surrounding urban, agricultural, and industrial land uses. This contributes to ongoing eutrophication, contamination, and salinization of the lake. Despite its picturesque location between the Cordillera de la Costa to the north and the Serrania del Interior to the south, Lake Valencia's poor water quality limits opportunities for tourism and recreational activities.