Gatún Dam

This huge (nearly 2.5 kilometers long) earthen dam was built to create Lago Gatún (Gatún Lake), a vital part of the Panama Canal. It was the largest such structure in the world when the canal opened in 1914. The dam controls the flow of the mighty Río Chagres, a major obstacle to canal builders, and supplies electricity used at the locks and the surrounding communities. It’s an impressive sight when the spillway is opened and the water comes roaring out. A small bridge runs right by the spillway, behind which there’s a good view of the canal. To get to the dam, cross over the swing bridge that spans Gatún Locks. Take the first left after the bridge and head up the road for about two kilometers.