Laguna de Paca

Laguna de Paca also known as Paca Lagoon, is a placid lake in Peru. It is located 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) north of the historic town of Jauja, which was once the capital of Peru, before Lima was built as its new capital. The lake precincts is habitat for rich flora and fauna. The lake is sourced to springs.

Geography

Laguna de Paca is one of the three lakes in the Mantaro River Valley in the central highlands of Peru formed by high Cordillera ranges, which has three tributary valleys known as the Masma, the Paca and the Yanamarca. Laguna Paca is the only lake in the Paca valley which has water throughout the year. However, floating mats of rushes and sedges cover the south side of the lake. The lake itself does not drain out, as like the other lakes in the valleys, has been “filled up by interglacial fill, and alluvial and eolian sedimentation.” The river that originates in this valley, is called the Mantaro River. It flows near the Jauja town into a large alluvial plain. Formation of this region and its lake system is attributed to diverse sedimentary, glacial and tectonic activity. The valley formation is dated to the Late Pliocene and early Pleistocene uplift unconformity. Laguna de Paca covers an area of 21.4 square kilometres (8.3 sq mi).