Lake Lanao

Lake Lanao is an ancient freshwater lake on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines, formed by a combination of tectonic and volcanic activity that blocked a river valley. It is estimated to be one of the oldest lakes in the world, with its origins dating back hundreds of thousands of years. The lake covers approximately 340 square kilometers.

Lake Lanao is central to the culture and identity of the Maranao people, whose name translates to 'people of the lake.' The Maranao are one of the largest Muslim ethnolinguistic groups in the Philippines. Legends and oral traditions of the Maranao are deeply tied to the lake's creation.

Yes, Lake Lanao feeds the Agus River system, which powers a cascade of hydroelectric plants that supply a significant portion of Mindanao's electricity. The plants include Agus I through Agus VII. Water level management of the lake has sometimes caused controversy between local communities and power authorities.

Lake Lanao is known for a species flock of endemic freshwater fishes, primarily within the genus Barbodes (formerly Puntius). Several of these species have become extinct or critically endangered due to the introduction of invasive species. The lake has been recognized as an important evolutionary site by conservation biologists.