THE PANAMA CANAL WATERSHED:

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THE PANAMA CANAL WATERSHED PHYSICAL PROCESS AND
HUMAN DIMENSION
Maria Concepcion Donoso Abdiel Adames
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THE PANAMA CANAL WATERSHED
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SURFACE AREA OF THE INTEROCEANIC REGION PANAMA
CANAL WATERSHED CANAL AREA
DISTRIBUTION
LAKES
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OBJECTIVES OF THE REGIONAL PLAN
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THE OFFER OF NATURAL RESOURCES
LOCALIZATION ADVANTAGES
LIMITED AGROECOLOGICAL CAPACITY OF THE SOILS
(225,878 ha)
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ABUNDANT WATER RESOURCES
The average water supply of the watershed is
4,455 hm3, which is enough for
60 DAILY TRANSIST THROUGH THE CANAL
DRINKING WATER FOR 24 MILLION PEOPLE
50 DAILY TRANSISTS DRINKING WATER FOR 4 MILLION
PEOPLE
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84,000 HA OF PRIMARY FOREST
35,000 HA OF SECONDARY FOREST
34 OF THE TOTAL SURFACE IN PROTECTED AREAS
THIRD WORLD RANK IN THE NUMBER OF BIRDS PER KM2
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LOW NATURAL ENVIRONMENTAL RISK
Risk of floodings limited to an small
watershed (Curundu). Low risks of
hurricane-like winds. Low propability of
high intensity earthquakes.
RISK AND ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITATIONS OF HUMAN ORIGEN
5,500 ha with unexploded ordnance
(military ranges). high level risk with
limited uses 2,500 ha of dispose dredging
material excavated from the Canal
operation with no risks but high limitation
uses. Landslide risk at Guillard Cut.
High risk with limited uses.
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PRESENT USES OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES
Panama Canal
13 Urban areas
6 National
parks
34 Extensive cattle breeding
39 Agriculture and reforestation
1 Former US military bases
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PRESENT USED OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES
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PRESENT USED OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES
VEGETATION USES
NON SUSTAINABLE
More than 50 of the watershed has been deforested
SUSTAINABLE
80 of the primary and secondary forests are in
national parks The other 20 was protected in the
former US military basis
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PRESENT USED OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES
BIODIVERSITY USES
NON SUSTAINABLE
Deforestation rate of 300 ha per year during last
decade Poachers
SUSTAINABLE
ECOTURISM Low developed but with high
potential BIOPRODUCTION Low developed with
unknown potential
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DETERIORATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Over 50 has been deforested. The deforestation
rate has decreased to 300 ha per year.
The potential erosion is high (140
ton/ha/year). Its control depends by the
presence of a good vegetation cover.
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DETERIORATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
In the last 80 years, Gatun Lake has lost 8 of
its useful capacity by sedimentation. In 60
years, Alhajuela Lake has lost 6 of its
useful capacity. With the present rates of
erosion in the watershed, both lakes will loss
no more than 5 of its useful capacity in the
next 35 years.
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DETERIORATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
There is good information on water quality in the
watershed and poor information on the sources
of contamination. There is good water quality in
lakes and main rivers. There is less water
quality in rivers along the more urbanized
areas. There is no control and treatment of
effluents.
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HUMAN DIMENSION
Panama has a population of 2.7 million
people. The Panama Canal Watershed has 108,510
people. The population rate of increase in the
watershed is 4.
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HUMAN DIMENSION
HEALTH SERVICES are good in urban areas and
conditions decrease in rural areas of the
watershed. UNDERNOURISHMENT is less frequent in
urban areas and higher in rural areas of the
watershed. HOUSING development is higher in
urban areas and lower in rural areas of the
watershed. FAMILY INCOME in the Interoceanic
Region is the highes of the country. Family
income is low in communities aroun Gatun Lake.
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HUMAN DIMENSION
Illiteracy is less than 10 in Panama. High
levels of education are found in urban areas of
the Interoceanic Region and lower levels are
found in rural communities of the watershed.
Unemployment rates are among the highest in the
región (13.8 in 1995). In urban areas of Panama
and Colón are about 20 and 15 in the Panama
Canal Watershed.
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34 39 0.5 0.5 12 8
40 5 8 20 15 0
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NEW CONSTITUTIONAL TITLE
Article 310
The Panama Canal Authority shall be responsible
for the administration, maintenance, use and
conservation of the water resources of the Panama
Canal Watershed.
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Panama Canal Authority Organic LawArticle 6

• To safeguard Canal Watershed resources the PCA
  shall
• Coordinate its proper management with other
  responsible organizations
• Approve strategies, policies, programs and
  projects that may impact on it.
• The board of directors of the PCA shall appoint
  and regulate the interinstitutional commission on
  the Canal Watershed. (CICH)

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PCA Responsibilities at the Watershed

• Administer, maintain, use and conserve the water
  resource
• Coordinate the administration, conservation and
  use of the natural resources of the watershed
• Approve strategies, policies, programs and public
  and private projects
• Establish and regulate the CICH throughout the
  Board of Directors
• Revise watershed boundaries

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Canal Watershed Interinstitutional Commission
(CICH)

• OBJECTIVES

• Integrate efforts, initiatives and resources
• Promote sustainable development