The Unintended Gift of Flood: How Barro Colorado Island Transformed Biological Research

In 1913, a flood in central Panama resulted in the unexpected creation of Barro Colorado Island. This flood also led to the formation of Gatun Lake, which was then the largest artificial body of water in the world and served as a critical part of the Panama Canal. As a result of this event, Barro Colorado Island has become one of the most heavily studied tropical rainforest areas on the planet.

The Smithsonian Institution took over the field station on Barro Colorado Island in 1946 and renamed it the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). Under its control, the island, along with some nearby forest areas on the mainland, has developed into a major research facility for biology, comparable to CERN for physics. Despite having only 35 scientists on staff, the STRI hosts around 1,200 visitors each year, many of whom are recurring researchers.

Conservationists typically advocate against flooding species-rich habitats; however, unexpected outcomes can sometimes arise. In 1913, a flood in central Panama resulted in the creation of Barro Colorado Island and formed Gatun Lake, which was then the largest artificial body of water in the world and served as a critical part of the Panama Canal. The island has since become one of