Lake Danao (Leyte)
Lake Danao is a guitar-shaped lake on the island of Leyte in the Philippines.
| Lake Danao | |
|---|---|
Lake Danao Location within the Philippines | |
| Location | Leyte |
| Coordinates | 11°4′16″N 124°41′38″E |
| Basin countries | Philippines |
| Surface area | 148 ha (370 acres) |
| Average depth | 80 m (260 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 650 m (2,130 ft) |
| Settlements | Ormoc |
The lake is covering an area of 148 hectares (370 acres). It is situated in the 2,193 hectares (5,420 acres) Lake Danao Natural Park, which also includes the Amandiwin mountain range. The lake is 18 kilometres (11 mi) northeast of Ormoc, half an hour drive along the San Pablo -Tongonan and Milagro - Lake Danao roads.
It was originally named Lake Imelda and was declared a national park on June 2, 1972 by virtue of presidential memorandum issued by then President Ferdinand Marcos. Later it was renamed and declared as Lake Danao National Park on February 3, 1998 through Proclamation No. 1155 and is now protected by Republic Act No. 7586 otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) Act of 1992. The lake supplies potable water to at least seven towns in Eastern Leyte including Tacloban as well as the source of irrigation for ricelands in some municipalities like Dagami, Burauen, Pastrana and Tabontabon.
At 650 metres (2,130 ft) above sea level, Lake Danao lies on an altitude similar to Tagaytay, making the area cooler than the average Philippine temperature.