Embalse El Yeso, Mountain reservoir in Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile
The El Yeso reservoir extends across the Andes Mountains at 2,568 meters elevation, containing 250 million cubic meters of turquoise water from glacial minerals.
Construction workers established Refugios del Yeso shelter in the 1950s to build this water infrastructure, which was completed in 1964 to supply Santiago.
The reservoir represents a significant engineering achievement that transformed water management in central Chile while supporting agriculture throughout the Maipo Valley.
Visitors need permits from CONAF and certified guides to access the reservoir, which remains open from October through May depending on weather conditions.
The unpaved 23-kilometer mountain road from San Gabriel to the reservoir climbs 1,300 meters through steep sections and sharp turns along the southern shore.
Location: San José de Maipo
GPS coordinates: -33.65000,-70.06667
Latest update: May 27, 2025 06:45
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