Hydrology of the Tikal National Park in Guatemala

The Central Peten region, in northern Guatemala, is dominated by low lying rolling hills of porous Oligocene* limestone. This accounts for the limited amount of permanent surface water, even during the rainy season, there are few surface streams.

Most of the water consumed in Tikal in modern times is brought in to the park by means of cistern trucks and is brought in from Lake Peten Itza, the largest body of water in the Yucatan Peninsula, 33 kilometers or 15 miles south of the park. The lake is the only nearby source of permanent surface water in the neighboring area. Very few collection tanks are in service at Tikal. This is the reason you save water during your stay in Tikal.

Tikal is the largest excavated site in the American continent. It is Guatemala's most famous cultural and natural preserve. Tikal possesses a certain magic... Like all puzzles without answers it fascinates everyone and we dare say... Tikal is so irresistible once you are here, you'll find yourself wanting to stay just a little longer!

This majestic archaeological gem comprises 222 square miles of jungle all around the ceremonial center. It took the University of Pennsylvania 13 years to uncover about 10 square miles of structures at Tikal. However, much of it is still left to be unearthed. So, do take some advice... Don't try to see all of Tikal in one day, even if you are in excellent shape!.

Some people -including archaeologists who conducted the excavations at the park- used the water from the ancient aguadas or water reservoirs. However, these haven’t been maintained and the use of water from these reservoirs for human consumption is forbidden.

We found interesting information regarding the dimensions of the water reservoirs at Tikal so we calculated how many cubic meters and gallons the Maya of Tikal managed at each of their aguadas or water reservoris during the Maya’s Classic Period, at the height of their civilization's development. We are sharing our calculations with you as we believe it is truly amazing to try to grasp and understand the amount and volume of water the ancient Maya of Tikal managed at any given moment during the city's heyday...

*NAME of TIKAL WATER RESERVOIR*	*CUBIC METERS*	*GALONS* *(U.S.)*
Palace Reservoir	38,680	10,220,000
Temple Reservoir	27,140	7,170,000
Tikal	21,060	5,563,000
Corriental	17,380	4,591,000
Inscriptions	11,310	2,988,000
Causeways	14,270	3,770,000
Bejucal	7,380	1,950,000
Madeira	6,340	1,675,000
Perdido	3,070	811,000
Hidden	2,620	692,100
Subin Aguada	400	105,700
Las Chamacas	350	92,460
Pital Aguada	310	81,890
TOTAL	150,220	39,685,283

*Oligocene:

A geologic epoch of the Paleogene Period that extends from about 33.9 million to 23 million years before the present time.

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Hydrology: The scientific study of the properties, distribution and effects of water on the Earth's surface, in the soil and underlying rocks as well as in the atmosphere.

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