Lake Sibinacocha
Dam
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lake Sibinacocha[1][2] (possibly from Quechua siwina whistle, qucha lake, lagoon)[3] is a lake in Peru. It is ranked as the 22nd[4] highest lake in the world. It is located in the Cusco Region, Canchis Province, Pitumarca District.[2] The lake is situated at a height of approximately 4,873 metres (15,988 ft), about 15.19 km long and 2.86 km at its widest point, and drains into the Amazon River.[5] Sibinacocha lies in the Vilcanota Range, south of Chumpe and southwest of Condoriquiña.[1] All five 6000m peaks of the Vilcanota Range are visible from the lake shore; in the other direction, the Quelccaya Ice Cap is visible and -further in the distance- the glaciated Jonorana massif, specifically the peaks of Pomanota and Pomanota Norte[6].
| Lake Sibinacocha | |
|---|---|
Lake Sibinacocha with Chumpe in the background | |
  Lake Sibinacocha Location within Peru | |
| Location | Cusco Region |
| Coordinates | 13°51′24″S 71°01′30″W |
| Basin countries | Peru |
| Max. length | 15.19 km (9.44 mi) |
| Max. width | 2.86 km (1.78 mi) |
Surface elevation | 4,873 m (15,988 ft) |
| Website | The Sibinacocha Watershed Project |
| Sibinacocha Dam | |
|---|---|
| |
Sibinacocha Dam Location within Peru | |
| Opening date | 1996 |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Earthen dam |
| Height | 12 m (39 ft) |
| Length | 357 m (1,171 ft) |
| Reservoir | |
| Total capacity | 110,000,000 m3 (89,000 acre⋅ft) |
| Power Station | |
| Operator | EGEMSA |
| Website Represa de Sibinacocha | |
The lake contains Inca artifacts, some of which have been recovered from the lake.[5] Sacred sites around the lake have been studied as possible locations of the lost Ausangate temple.[7] The area has been studied for its importance to the greater Urubamba-Vilcanota watershed.[7] A high-altitude diver, Geoffrey Belter, died in 2014 while exploring the lake.[7]
An earthen dam was erected at the lake in 1996.[8] It is 357 m (1,171 ft) long and 12 m (39 ft) high.[8] The reservoir has a volume of 50,000 m3 (41 acre⋅ft) and a capacity of 110,000,000 m3 (89,000 acre⋅ft).[8] It is operated by EGEMSA.[8]
