The Town That Disappeared Overnight: The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur

On November 20, 1980, Lake Peigneur in Louisiana experienced one of the most bizarre and catastrophic geological events in history. What started as a routine drilling operation by the Texaco oil company quickly turned into a disaster that would leave the world astounded.

Texaco was drilling for oil beneath Lake Peigneur when their drill accidentally punctured a salt mine owned by the Diamond Crystal Salt Company. The drill bit created a massive hole in the salt dome, and within moments, the lake began to drain rapidly into the mine. The force of the water created a whirlpool that grew larger by the minute, swallowing everything in its path.

The suction was so powerful that it reversed the flow of the Delcambre Canal, which normally flows out into the Gulf of Mexico, causing it to flow back into the lake. Eleven barges, a tugboat, numerous trees, and acres of land were pulled into the vortex. Remarkably, there were no fatalities, as the miners and oil workers managed to escape in time.

As the lake drained, it created a sinkhole that expanded to about 1.2 billion cubic feet. The massive influx of water from the canal and the Gulf eventually refilled the lake, but it was forever changed. The once freshwater lake had become saline due to the influx of seawater.

The event remains a striking example of the power and unpredictability of nature. It also serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of industrial activities intersecting with geological formations. Today, Lake Peigneur is a tranquil body of water, but its history is a testament to the dramatic and sometimes destructive forces that shape our world.