Lake Calima

The lake was created in 1965 by damming the Calima river for hydroelectricity, flooding a valley that held significant pre-Hispanic archaeology - the Calima cultures worked gold and made distinctive ceramics, and a museum at Darien holds material recovered before and since. What draws people now is wind: a gap in the Western Cordillera channels air off the Pacific across the lake almost every afternoon, reliably enough that the conditions are cited among the most consistent in South America, and kitesurfing, windsurfing and sailing all operate here. Mornings are usually calm and the wind builds after midday. The altitude is around 1,500 metres so the climate is temperate rather than hot, and the lake gets cold.

History

The lake is a reservoir, part of a hydroelectric project to supply power to the Valle del Cauca; the regional corporation CVC began building it in 1961. Covering 19.34 square kilometres at about 1,500 metres above sea level, it is the largest artificial lake in Colombia, and holiday centres, restaurants and campsites have grown up along its shores (Wikipedia, Calima Lake).

Highlights

• Reliable afternoon wind - funnelled through a gap in the cordillera.
• Kitesurfing and windsurfing - with schools on the shore.
• The Calima archaeology museum - gold and ceramics from the flooded valley.
• Calm mornings, windy afternoons - the daily pattern.

When to go

June to September for the strongest wind. A full day or several.

Things to know

Wind builds in the afternoon - mornings are for other things. The water is cold at this altitude. Weekend crowds come from Cali. Water quality in the reservoir has had algae problems in some years.

Nearby

Darien is on the shore; Cali is south-east.

Key facts