Lake Lauricocha


Lake Lauricocha is a lake in the Andes mountains of central Peru, within Huánuco Region.

Geography

The lake is located near Raura mountain range and has a surface elevation of 3,845 m and has an eastern-western orientation. It has of length, of width and an average depth of 75 m. The lake is part of the basin of the Lauricocha River, A Jesuit priest named Samuel Fritz drew a map in 1707 which showed the Marañón River as the main stream of the Amazon River. He identified Lake Lauricocha as the source of the Amazon. Several additional places have since been proposed as sources of the Amazon.

Ecology

Certain parts on the lake shores are covered with reeds. The predominant species in the lake is the introduced trout. Among the fauna present around the lake are birds like ducks, tinamous and hawks; and mammals like tarucas, vizcachas, foxes and skunks.