Lake Sibinacocha
Lake Sibinacocha (possibly from Quechua siwina whistle, qucha lake, lagoon) is a lake in Peru. It is ranked as the 22nd highest lake in the world. It is located in the Cusco Region, Canchis Province, Pitumarca District. 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. Sibinacocha lies in the Vilcanota Range, south of Chumpe and southwest of Condoriquiña.
| Lake Sibinacocha | |
|---|---|
Lake Sibinacocha with Chumpe in the background | |
Lake Sibinacocha | |
| 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 | |
|---|---|
Location of Sibinacocha Dam in 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(s) | EGEMSA |
| Website Represa de Sibinacocha | |
The lake contains Inca artifact, some of which have been recovered from the lake. Sacred sites around the lake have been studied as possible locations of the lost Ausangate temple. The area has been studied for its importance to the greater Urubamba-Vilcanota watershed. A high-altitude diver, Geoffrey Belter, died in 2014 while exploring the lake.
An earthen dam was erected at the lake in 1996. It is 357 m (1,171 ft) long and 12 m (39 ft) high. The reservoir has a volume of 50,000 m3 (41 acre⋅ft) and a capacity of 110,000,000 m3 (89,000 acre⋅ft). It is operated by EGEMSA.