Gatun Lake is the largest artificial lake in the world, located between the Isthmus of Panama. Formed in 1913 when the Gatun Dam was closed, the lake created the millions of liters of water necessary to operate the locks of the Panama Canal. This man-made freshwater lake covers around 470 square kilometers and provides drinking water for Panama City and Colón. It is also home to a large variety of animals and plants, making it a popular spot for fishing and recreational activities. In particular, the lake is well known for its invasion of peacock bass which were accidentally released into the lake in 1967.