PHILIPPINES, ASIA
Lake Sampaloc
Lake Sampaloc is one of seven interconnected crater lakes in the Province of Laguna, 70 kilometer southeast of Metro Manila. Lake Sampaloc is the biggest and the most famous of the seven lakes, with an area of 104 ha and located in the heart of San Pablo City known as “City of Seven Lakes” - Bunot, Palakpakin, Mohicap, Yambo, Pandin, Calibato and Sampaloc. Lake Sampaloc has a maximum depth of 27 m, the average depth is 20 m. Its width is 1.2 km.
What makes it special
Sampaloc Lake is the largest among San Pablo's Seven Crater Lakes. It is considered one of the prime tourist spots in the country.
Biodiversity
There is a variety of freshwater fish such as Catfish, Mudfish, Tilapia, Shrimp, Ayungin, Dulong and also snails. There are also many fish ponds here, which are one of the sources of income for the inhabitants of San Pablo City, Laguna, where they breed many different types of tilapia and shrimp.
Local Communities
Approx. 260.000 people live in the city region of San Pablo City, causing huge impact on the lake and its surroundings.
Threats
Excessive fish feed has raised nutrient levels in Lake Sampaloc, while the proliferation of farmed fish and growing algae has led to a decline in dissolved oxygen content. This has caused a significant deterioration in water quality over recent years. As a standing water body, Lake Sampaloc lacks the capacity to counteract this ongoing pollution. Additionally, human activities, including the construction of illegal buildings along the shore (such as restaurants and nightclubs), have contributed to increased pollution, as waste and untreated wastewater are discharged directly into the lake.
The Living Lakes Network awarded Lake Sampaloc as Threatened Lake of the Year in 2014.
