Lake Engolasters

Lake Engolasters
Lake Engolasters with radio towers
Location	Encamp, Andorra
Coordinates	42°31′11″N 1°34′7″E / 42.51972°N 1.56861°E / 42.51972; 1.56861Coordinates: 42°31′11″N 1°34′7″E / 42.51972°N 1.56861°E / 42.51972; 1.56861
Type	glacial
Basin countries	Andorra
Average depth	10 m
Shore length1	2 km
Surface elevation	1,616 metres (5,302 ft)
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Lake Engolasters, in the Encamp parish of Andorra, is an oblong shaped lake at an elevation of 1,616 m (5,302 ft). formed in a glacial depression. It is located close to Andorra La Vella, the capital of Andorra.

The lake water is deep blue and is drained by a drainage basin formed by the Pyrenees mountain ranges, which are snow-covered. The valley formed by the rivers draining the catchment provides an enchanting view with green meadows and rich forest of pine trees nearer to the lake periphery. The water source to the lake is from the East Valira and Madriu rivers. The stored water in the reservoir is utilized for generating hydroelectric power at the power station located near Encamp village. There is a cable car rope way from Encamp to the lake area, which is a 6.2 kilometres (3.9 mi) line.

A legend related to the history and formation of the lake claims that Engolasters was formed by a sudden gush of water unleashed by divine powers in order to chastise the impiety of a beautiful woman, who was said to be an ancient inhabitant of a village close to the lake shore. According to legend, the woman refused to give a piece of a bread to a starving pilgrim, said to be Christ himself. Legend also tells that all the stars in the sky, illuminated by the beauty of lake, were destined to fall to the lake bed and stay there as prisoners for eternity.

Another interesting legend narrated is of Engolasters Lake as the site of ceremonies held by witches (said to be a common belief in the Pyrenees). These ceremonies were held in the form of naked dances performed by the witches on the precincts of the lake. People were scared to watch these ceremonies as it was believed that anyone watching these performances would be turned into a dog or stone by the witches.

Engolasters Lake lies to the northeast of the Andorran capital of Andorra la Vella in western-central Andorra. The Valira River (Riu Valira) drains into the lake. It has two major tributaries, the North Valira and East Valira, which have created a deep incised valley. The two tributaries' confluence at Escaldes forms the Valira River. This river has provided the only access to Andorra along its course, from Spain and from France along the East Valira.