Gamboa is located on a sharp bend of the Chagres River at the point
which feeds Lake Gatun. Just south of Gamboa, Lake Gatun and the Chagres meet
the Gaillard Cut where the Canal cuts through the Continental Divide. Thus,
though Gamboa is closer to the Pacific side of Panama, its watershed is on the
Atlantic side. A single lane iron and wood bridge crosses the Chagres and is
the only road access to Gamboa. This bridge is still in use today. Vehicles
waiting to pass over the bridge must wait for a stoplight to enter the bridge,
since it is only capable of providing space for one lane of traffic at a time.
In December
