Lake Peigneur, Freshwater lake in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, United States
Lake Peigneur is a lake in Iberia Parish near Vermilion Bay that covers 455 hectares and now reaches a depth of 61 meters (200 feet). The body of water sits entirely on private land along Louisiana Highway 89 and has changed from a shallow freshwater lake into a deep saltwater basin.
In 1980, an oil rig accidentally drilled into a salt mine beneath the lake, creating a massive whirlpool that drained all the water within a few hours. Afterward, seawater flowed backward through Delcambre Canal and refilled the basin with saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico.
The name comes from French settlers who made their home in Louisiana and brought their language and culture to the region. This French influence still shows in many place names and local traditions along the Gulf coast.
The lake can only be viewed through Rip Van Winkle Gardens, since the entire shoreline sits on private property. A visit works well combined with exploring the gardens and the surrounding area along Highway 89.
The 1980 accident swallowed several drilling rigs, barges and even a small truck into the opening chasm as water spiraled down into the mine. Some of the sunken structures still rest at the bottom of the deeper basin today.
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