Colbun Lake

Colbun was built in the 1980s by damming the Maule for irrigation and hydroelectric generation, flooding a valley to create a reservoir of nearly sixty square kilometres, and it now does double duty as central Chile's inland summer resort - swimming, sailing, camping and holiday houses along the shore, busy in January and February. Because it is a working reservoir the level changes considerably through the year and between years, and in drought periods the drawdown exposes wide margins of bare ground and stumps, which is both unattractive and a plain indicator of how the central Chilean water situation is going.

What's there

• A reservoir of nearly sixty square kilometres - dammed in the 1980s.
• Central Chile's inland resort - swimming, sailing and camping.
• Levels that swing with the year - and further in drought.
• Exposed margins in dry years - bare ground and stumps around the shore.

When to go

December to March. A full day.

Good to know

In drought years the lake is well down and the shoreline is unappealing. It is crowded in January and February. The circuit road is partly gravel. Facilities are camping and holiday development rather than towns.

Nearby

Linares is west; Termas de Panimavida is nearby in the foothills.

Key facts