In the peaceful town of Los Baños, Laguna, there’s a lake that doesn’t clamor for attention—and maybe that’s what makes it stand out. It goes by many names: Tadlac Lake to locals, Alligator Lake or Crocodile Lake to others. The latter names go way back, tied to old tales from colonial times when crocodiles supposedly roamed the waters. And no, there aren’t any actual alligators here (those only exist in the Americas), but the legends continue to float around—like the early morning fog that drapes the lake.
This body of water isn’t your typical lake—it’s a maar, a type of crater lake formed by a volcanic explosion eons ago. With just around 22.7 hectares of surface area, it’s relatively small, but don’t let that fool you—it reaches depths of 27 meters. For most of the year, the lake’s surface is calm and mirror-like, offering reflections of the skies above, the surrounding hills, and sometimes even moody storm clouds rolling in.
But there’s more going on beneath the surface. Every year, usually during the cooler months, Tadlac Lake goes through something called an overturn—or “langal,” as locals call it. This natural event causes gas built up at the bottom—mostly carbon dioxide—to suddenly rise, which drains the oxygen from the water. When that happens, fish die off in large numbers. It’s dramatic, it’s devastating, and unfortunately, it’s happened more than once.
Back in the ’80s and ’90s, fish farming was booming here. The lake was dotted with fish pens and cages, and the aquaculture business was thriving. But when that overturn hit hard in 1999, it wiped everything out. Fish floated lifeless on the surface, and the lake made national news. That disaster forced local authorities to rethink everything. Eventually, aquaculture was banned, giving the lake space and time to recover. Since then, things have been slowly but surely getting better.
From that point on, the spotlight turned to conservation. Scientists ran studies, agencies monitored water conditions, and policies were updated. The local government of Los Baños, in collaboration with national environmental offices, began prioritizing long-term protection over short-term profit. It’s been a delicate balance—keeping the lake accessible to people without putting too much pressure on its fragile ecosystem.
The lake has also become a go-to site for research and education. With the University of the Philippines Los Baños just nearby, Tadlac Lake has been used as a real-world classroom, especially for those studying environmental science, limnology, and ecology. It’s hands-on, it’s right there, and it gives students a way to directly engage with the natural processes they’re learning about in books.
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For folks looking for a quiet escape, this lake hits the mark. There’s a small park on its eastern side where visitors can simply chill—no big resorts, no loud music, just nature doing its thing. Birdsong, cool breezes, and the occasional splash from a fish are all part of the vibe. And with Los Baños just about an hour and a half away from Manila, it’s not a bad pick for a quick weekend breather.
Tadlac—aka Alligator Lake—isn’t out here trying to be a tourist magnet. It’s not flashy, and it doesn’t need to be. What it offers is quiet authenticity, a deep sense of place, and stories that stretch back through time. It’s the kind of spot that grows on you—the longer you sit by the shore, the more it reveals.
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