Naujan Lake

Lore & Background

Naujan Lake is bounded by the towns of Naujan to the north and northeast, Victoria to the west, Socorro to the south and southeast, and Pola to the east. The lake is also bordered by the Naujan Mountains to the north and east. Mount Naujan, an inactive volcano with an elevation of 1,380 feet (420 m), is situated northeast of the geographic center of the lake. Several thermal springs and solfataras are reported on the eastern border of the lake. The lake's watershed covers about 30,000 hectares, fed by multiple creeks and rivers from the east, west, and south, with only one outlet, the Butas River, which flows north then east to empty into Tablas Strait at Barangay Lumang-bayan, Naujan.

Reader's Guide

Naujan Lake is significant as the centerpiece of the Naujan Lake National Park, a protected area covering 21,655 hectares that was established in 1956. Its designation as a Ramsar Wetland Site in 1999 underscores its international importance for wetland conservation, particularly as the widest breeding place of marsh birds in the region. The park supports recreational activities such as boating, bird watching, and scientific research, and it maintains a quarterly Biodiversity Monitoring System that includes bird counting. The lake's hydrology, with a single outlet and a watershed spanning four municipalities, plays a key role in the local ecosystem and fisheries, as noted in stock assessment studies. Its legacy lies in its role as a vital freshwater resource and a protected habitat for biodiversity in the Philippines.

Did You Know?

• Naujan Lake is the fifth largest lake in the Philippines.
• The lake has only one outlet, the Butas River, which empties into Tablas Strait.
• Mount Naujan, an inactive volcano, is located northeast of the lake's geographic center.
• The Naujan Lake National Park covers 24 barangays across four municipalities.