The tide of collaborative work is rising on Lake Chapala

Edgar Velasco

Anyone standing on the Chapala boardwalk can appreciate the sheer size of the lake. Even more so when, as is the case these days, the water level is good. All that the eye sees can be quantified: the lake's surface area is 1,112 square kilometers, making it the largest in Mexico; its waters touch 11 municipalities, eight in Jalisco and three in Michoacán; and it ranks fifth among the most biodiverse lakes in North America. Lake Chapala is a landscape, an environmental resource, and a symbol of identity. And just as vast as its dimensions are the challenges it faces. For this reason, the surrounding municipalities and the Laboratory of Territory, Heritage, and Landscape (Labter) at ITESO have been working together on initiatives to contribute to its restoration, conservation, and promotion, with two main projects: the creation of Lake Chapala Day and its nomination for the 2027 edition of the World Monuments Watch.

The announcement of the nomination and the creation of the commemorative date for the lake took place at Casa ITESO Clavigero. There, Mónica Solórzano, coordinator of the Labter at the Department of Habitat and Urban Development (DHDU) of ITESO, said that the work carried out with the 11 municipalities along the lake's shore is “an exercise in inter-municipal collaboration and academia; it has been a process of dialogue and collective construction among the various stakeholders of the lake.” The academic stated that Lake Chapala is more than just a shared territory, and therefore “the future [of the lake] depends on the ability to work together, which requires coordination and shared responsibility.”

Solórzano noted that Lake Chapala is the largest lake in Mexico and that it is under constant pressure. Among the greatest threats are climate change, pollution, water hyacinth, invasive species, and declining water levels. Against this backdrop, the project sought nomination for the World Monuments Watch, an initiative promoted by the foundation of the same name, which every two years selects 25 sites worldwide that require protection and where preservation efforts are crucial. The announcement of the selected sites, among which Chapala is expected to be included, will take place in February 2027.

However, for those who have been working on the project, one thing is certain: there is no time to wait to see if the lake is selected or not. That's why preparations are already underway to begin this year's celebration of Lake Chapala Day, planned for the third Sunday of October, which aims to be a vibrant celebration of the shared territorial identity of the lake's inhabitants. "It's a day on which we bring together all the stakeholders involved in the life of the lake," explained Solórzano Gil.

Lake Chapala Day is a day that includes the participation of artists from all eleven municipalities, both national and international, as well as members of indigenous communities and fishermen. There will be music, crafts, a food festival, and many other activities organized into four main events: sunrise over the lake, the day's festivities, sunset, and the creation of a ring of lights at night. In addition, four events will take place simultaneously: the blessing of the lake, the Civic Declaration of the 11 Municipal Councils, the light regatta, and the lighting of the Ring of Lights for Chapala.

“This is much bigger than the nomination [for the World Monuments Watch]. The nomination is important, but what is truly historic is seeing the municipalities united, regardless of political affiliations or differences, working toward a common goal. It demonstrates that it is indeed possible to reach regional agreements to defend what belongs to us all,” said Alejandro Aguirre, mayor of Chapala. According to the mayor, for many years each municipality has made isolated efforts, even though “the lake doesn’t recognize territorial boundaries,” hence the importance of “building, with a regional vision, a common agenda and a model of collaboration between government, academia, and society.”

Aguirre Curiel highlighted Labter's work as a space for building bridges between municipalities and between academia and action. "We have an enormous responsibility, and it's time to decide what we want to bequeath: a living lake or an abandoned one," he added.

Also present at the announcement were Sagrario Delgado Plascencia, representing the municipality of Jocotepec; Sandra Flores Cabrera, representing the municipality of Ocotlán; José Santiago Coronado, mayor of Tizapán el Alto; and Arturo Ascencio Gómez, mayor of Poncitlán. Speaking at the microphone, Flores Cabrera and Ascencio Gómez agreed that the activities aim to promote Lake Chapala as a natural, historical, and cultural heritage site.

Labter has developed two digital resources to strengthen the nomination for the World Monuments Watch: the first, a platform that explains the territorial and cultural characteristics of Lake Chapala , as well as the threats it faces. The second details the work done to establish Lake Chapala Day , along with the agenda and participation of the municipalities.