Colapso del lago Cari Lauquen

Colapso del lago Cari Lauquen is the site where a natural dam holding back a mountain lake gave way, located at the border between Mendoza and Neuquén provinces. The released water rushed through the Barrancas and Colorado River valleys, carving new paths through the terrain.

A natural dam contained the lake for thousands of years until it broke on December 29, 1914. This became one of the largest natural disasters in the region, permanently reshaping both the landscape and people's lives.

The collapse destroyed the settlement of Barrancas, forcing people to rebuild their homes and lives elsewhere. Communities along the Colorado River still remember this event as a turning point in their local story.

The site lies in remote Andean valleys at a provincial border and requires careful planning to visit. The dry season offers better access to the area, making it the most suitable time for a trip.

The water release created waves towering over 30 meters above the normal riverbed that spread across hundreds of kilometers of valley. Scientists still study this location to understand how natural dam failures reshape river systems and surrounding terrain.