Lac d'Espingo, Mountain reservoir in Haute-Garonne, France
Lac d'Espingo is a reservoir located at an elevation of 6,171 feet (1,882 meters) in the Pyrenees, surrounded by alpine peaks and clear waters reflecting the mountain landscape.
In 1836, geologist James David Forbes documented the presence of mica deposits around Lac d'Espingo, contributing to the early understanding of the region's mineral composition and geological characteristics.
The lake and its surroundings appear in regional folklore, with local traditions featuring stories about mountain spirits and natural guardians that are said to protect the waters of the Pyrenees.
The lake is accessible from late spring to early autumn when snow has melted, with hiking trails starting from the village of Oô covering approximately 2.2 miles (3.6 kilometers) through mountain terrain.
In 1940, researcher Henri Gaussen recorded that Lac d'Espingo receives about 59 inches (1.5 meters) of annual rainfall, making it one of the wettest high-altitude sites in the Pyrenees region.
Location: Haute-Garonne
Elevation above the sea: 1,882 m
Address: Lac d'Espingo, 31110 Oô, France 31110 Oô
GPS coordinates: 42.72861,0.49556
Latest update: November 29, 2025 17:10
Occitanie hosts a wide variety of lakes spread between the Pyrenees and the Massif Central. Natural lakes mainly occupy high-altitude zones in the Pyrenees, where glacial erosion has carved out cirques and basins now filled with water. Lake Oô, located at 4,950 feet (1,507 meters) altitude, receives water from a 984-foot (300-meter) waterfall descending from Lake Espingo. The Bastan lakes form a series of three linked water bodies between 7,217 and 8,202 feet (2,200 and 2,500 meters) near Barèges, while Lake Bethmale, at 3,498 feet (1,065 meters) in Couserans, is surrounded by beech forests. Artificial lakes in the region serve various functions, including water storage, hydroelectric power, and recreational activities. Lake Salagou, created in 1969 in Herault, stands out for its distinctive geological setting: red rocks rich in iron give the landscape a reddish-brown hue. Lake Pareloup, covering about 3,485 acres (1,410 hectares) in Aveyron, is one of the largest reservoirs in the area. Lake Saint-Ferréol, built in the 17th century at the foot of the Black Mountain, supplies the Canal du Midi and demonstrates historic hydraulic engineering. These lakes offer opportunities for hiking, sailing, and windsurfing, especially at Lake Ganguise where the wind blows roughly 300 days per year.
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