Lake Sausacocha
| Lake Sausacocha Sawsaqucha |
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| Location | Huamachuco, Sánchez Carrión Province, La Libertad Region |
| Coordinates | 7°47′42″S 77°59′24″W / 7.79500°S 77.99000°WCoordinates: 7°47′42″S 77°59′24″W / 7.79500°S 77.99000°W |
| Basin countries | Peru |
| Surface area | 5.74 km2 (2.22 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 12 m (39 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 3,290 m (10,790 ft) |
Lake Sausacocha (Spanish: Laguna Sausacocha, Quechua: Sawsaqucha) is a lake in Peru, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) to the northeast of Huamachuco in Huamachuco District, Sánchez Carrión Province. Literal meaning of Sausacocha is “lagoon that never dries.” Overgrazed hillsides surround the lake and there are also Inca ruins nearby.
The lake covers 4 square kilometres (1.5 sq mi) surrounded by low hills. It is located at the relatively low altitude of 4 metres (13 ft). The depth of water in the lake is 12 metres (39 ft) and this permits navigation by small river craft for commercial and recreational purposes. The road from Huamachuco to Cajabamba passes by Lake Sausacocha where there are a variety of lodges and restaurants (trout ceviche is a speciality).
The lake is a breeding ground for trout and carp.
Bird watchers have sighted the yellow-billed pintail (Anas georgica) in the lake area.
Sausacocha is one of the rare Andean lakes with acidic waters. The chemical properties of the Lake Sausacocha waters, such as acidic pH, low conductivity, low hardness, low calcium and low alkalinity values have resulted in rich desmids (green algae) growth. The lake is said to have comparatively low levels of ionic concentrations at 78 µS/cm as compared to the highest reading of 1028 µS/cm in Lake Titicaca.
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Wikipedia