Embalse El Yeso

Embalse El Yeso is a reservoir in the Santiago Metropolitan Region of Chile, located at an altitude of 2,568 meters (8,425 feet) in the Andes. The body of water holds 250 million cubic meters and sits between rocky mountain slopes in a narrow valley.

Workers built on-site shelters in the 1950s to construct the reservoir as part of the water infrastructure for Santiago. The dam was completed in 1964 and has since supplied the river valley with water for farming and the city.

The name comes from gypsum deposits found on the slopes and links the reservoir to its mountain setting. Its turquoise hue comes from fine mineral particles suspended in the water and draws visitors into this remote corner of the Andes.

Access requires permits from CONAF and certified guides for the drive into the mountains. The season typically runs from October through May but can shift depending on snowfall and weather.

The access route from the village of San Gabriel up to the water runs 23 kilometers (14 miles) along an unpaved mountain track with tight curves. The road climbs 1,300 meters (4,265 feet) and follows the southern shore of the reservoir.