Gatún Dam was the largest earth dam in the world when it was completed in 1913, and the lake it created — Gatún Lake — was the largest artificial lake on earth at the time, flooding over 400 square kilometres of jungle to form the central waterway of the Panama Canal. The dam itself includes a spillway capable of impressive discharge, and the surrounding lake is rich in wildlife: crocodiles, monkeys, toucans, and hundreds of bird species live along the forested shores. Boat tours onto the lake are available from operators near the Gatún Locks and offer a different perspective on canal transit — watching container ships glide through what looks like open jungle.