Unexpected Flood in Panama Leads to Creation of World-Famous Research Facility

In 1913, a flood in central Panama resulted in the creation of Barro Colorado Island. This unexpected outcome has led to the formation of Gatun Lake, which was then the largest artificial body of water in the world and served as a critical part of the Panama Canal. The island has since become one of the most heavily studied tropical rainforest areas on the planet.

The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) established its field station on Barro Colorado Island in 1924 and took it over from there in 1946. The island, along with some nearby forest areas on the mainland under STRI’s control, has developed into a major research facility for biology, comparable to CERN for physics. Despite having only 35 scientists on staff, the STRI hosts around 1,200 visitors each year, many of whom are recurring researchers.

Conservationists typically advocate against flooding species-rich habitats but sometimes unexpected outcomes arise like this one that led to creation of an artificial lake and a world-renowned research facility.