Lake Enriquillo

Lake Enriquillo

Lake Enriquillo is a hypersaline lake located in the southwest of the Dominican Republic. The lake is the biggest lake of the Dominican Republic and Hispaniola, and of the entire Caribbean. Lake Enriquillo has an area of 380 km2, and is the island country's lowest point, at 46 m below sea level. Its drainage area includes ten small river systems, but Lake Enriquillo has no outlet. The water level in the lake varies due to rainfall events caused by storms and the high evaporation rate in the region. The salinity of the lake can vary from 33 parts per thousand, which is similar to sea water, to over 100 parts per thousand, which is hypersaline. The largest population of American Crocodiles in the Caribbean is found in Lake Enriquillo. Three native species of fish live in the lake: the Blackbanded Limia, the Hispaniolan Gambusia and the Hispaniolan Pupfish. Around the lake, and on Cabritos Island, two endangered iguanas endemic to Hispaniola live sympatrically: the Ricord's Iguana and the Rhinoceros Iguana. The Hispaniola Racer, an endemic snake, is also native to the island. American Flamingos are one of the many bird species found on the lake. Flocks of flamingos are concentrated especially on the island of Isla Cabritos and at the eastern end of the lake. The plants that thrive in dry places, like cacti, are to be found here. In 1974, a national park was created to protect the area. In 2002, it was merged with two other parks to form the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve.