Final answer:
Panama is the country with Gatun Lake, Lake Madden, Chagres River, and Lake Bayano. Gatun Lake is a critical part of the Panama Canal system, and maintaining its water levels through rainfall and combating deforestation are essential for the canal's operation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The country that has Gatun Lake, formed by damming the Chagres River, as well as Lake Madden, Chagres River, and Lake Bayano, which is a large lake in the east, is Panama. Gatun Lake is a crucial part of the Panama Canal system, serving as a freshwater channel for the passage of ships across the Isthmus of Panama.
This man-made lake is situated 85 feet above sea level and is integral in the operation of the locks that raise and lower ships to and from sea level. Fresh water from the lake is used by gravity to fill the locks during these transitions.
However, the rainfall in the region is vital to maintaining water levels in Lake Gatun. Deforestation has caused increased siltation in the lake, necessitating reforestation efforts to restore the lake's health and functionality. Apart from its engineering significance, Panama's varied landscape features other notable bodies of water such as Lake Bayano.
Recognizing the country's natural and human-made wonders is essential in understanding its geography and the challenges in maintaining such a crucial waterway as the Panama Canal, which was returned to Panama in 2000 after being managed by the United States since its construction.