WISSEL LAKES

Indonesian Danau-Danau Wissel chain of three highland lakes located in the Sudirman Range of Irian Jaya provinsi (province), Indonesia, western New Guinea. They comprise Paniai, the largest and northernmost; Tage, to its south; and Tigi, the southernmost. Situated at an elevation of about 5,750 feet (1,750 m), they were created by tectonic damming of the Arabu River. The lake shores support one of the densest concentrations of agricultural population in the New Guinea highlands, mostly the pygmoid Kapauku, a Papuan-speaking people. Although the area has been populated since prehistoric times, high densities probably date only from the introduction of the sweet potato in the 16th century. The first European to see the lakes was a Dutch officer, Lieutenant Wissel, in 1937.