Lake Balanan
Encyclopedia
Lake Balanan is a lake situated Siaton
, Negros Oriental
, Philippines
. It is a freshwater lake in the forested mountains of the southern portion of the island of Negros, with a shape resembling a figure of eight, the narrowest point between the two main portions of the lake being only 90 metres wide. The lake is surrounded by mountain ranges, and is fed by three tributaries, all located in the northern end. These are the Lamarao Creek at the northeastern corner with two waterfalls, the Balanan Creek at the middle of the northern end with another waterfall, and the Nasig-id Creek at the northwestern end.
The lake has a humid tropical climate with two pronounced seasons, a dry season from November to April and a wet season for the rest of the year.
The lake was formed by a tectonic earthquake with the magnitude of a 6.8 on the Richter scale that hit the southern portion of the island of Negros, and caused landslides in the southern ends of both the Balanan and Nasig-id ranges in Siaton. The fallen rocks and soil dammed the Balanan River that flowed between these mountain ranges forming a 25-hectare "humerus
" bone-formed lake oriented along the Northwest-Southeast line.
The lake and surrounding forests are currently being managed as a Watershed Area by the Bureau of Forest Development. A proposal has been made to designate the area as a Game Refuge and Wildlife Sanctuary to protect the large population of bats and other wildlife. This proposal was endorsed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
, Region 7, in January 1987.
was hit by an earthquake that registered 6.8 on the Richter Scale. The quake triggered a landslide that created a natural dam. The dam, called Sampong (meaning "to close"), blocked the waters of Balanan River to produce the lake.
Siaton, Negros Oriental
Siaton is a 1st class municipality in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 64,258 people in 12,767 households.-Barangays:Siaton is politically subdivided into 26 barangays.* Albiga* Apoloy...
, Negros Oriental
Negros Oriental
Negros Oriental is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region. It occupies the south-eastern half of the island of Negros, with Negros Occidental comprising the north-western half. It also includes Apo Island — a popular dive site for both local and foreign tourists...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. It is a freshwater lake in the forested mountains of the southern portion of the island of Negros, with a shape resembling a figure of eight, the narrowest point between the two main portions of the lake being only 90 metres wide. The lake is surrounded by mountain ranges, and is fed by three tributaries, all located in the northern end. These are the Lamarao Creek at the northeastern corner with two waterfalls, the Balanan Creek at the middle of the northern end with another waterfall, and the Nasig-id Creek at the northwestern end.
The lake has a humid tropical climate with two pronounced seasons, a dry season from November to April and a wet season for the rest of the year.
The lake was formed by a tectonic earthquake with the magnitude of a 6.8 on the Richter scale that hit the southern portion of the island of Negros, and caused landslides in the southern ends of both the Balanan and Nasig-id ranges in Siaton. The fallen rocks and soil dammed the Balanan River that flowed between these mountain ranges forming a 25-hectare "humerus
Humerus
The humerus is a long bone in the arm or forelimb that runs from the shoulder to the elbow....
" bone-formed lake oriented along the Northwest-Southeast line.
The lake and surrounding forests are currently being managed as a Watershed Area by the Bureau of Forest Development. A proposal has been made to designate the area as a Game Refuge and Wildlife Sanctuary to protect the large population of bats and other wildlife. This proposal was endorsed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Philippines)
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for governing and supervising the exploration, development, utilization, and conservation of the country's natural resources.-History:The Department of Environment and Natural...
, Region 7, in January 1987.
History
At 5 pm on May 5, 1925 the town of Siaton, Negros OrientalSiaton, Negros Oriental
Siaton is a 1st class municipality in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 64,258 people in 12,767 households.-Barangays:Siaton is politically subdivided into 26 barangays.* Albiga* Apoloy...
was hit by an earthquake that registered 6.8 on the Richter Scale. The quake triggered a landslide that created a natural dam. The dam, called Sampong (meaning "to close"), blocked the waters of Balanan River to produce the lake.