The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur

A lake vanishes, swallowing everything above and below. What caused this mysterious disappearance?

4.1/5 Goodreads · 338 ratings

176 pages· 11,843 words· Est. 2 hour read

$19.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

On November 20, 1980, a typical day at Lake Peigneur turns catastrophic as the entire lake vanishes, taking boats, barges, and fish with it. Beneath the surface lies a network of salt mines, a hidden danger that threatens the lives of fishermen, oilmen, and miners. As water and salt collide, the lake's disappearance becomes a gripping mystery. This true tale, told with suspense and vivid illustrations, invites readers to uncover the science and history behind this astonishing event. What secrets lie beneath the lake's surface, and how did it all go so wrong?

From the publisher

“A riveting page-turner that will have readers eager to learn more about the topic.” –Kirkus Reviews (starred review)The strange, true tale of a Louisiana lake that vanished–taking with it every fish below and every boat and barge above–told in a gripping and accessible graphic format. Home to catfish and crawdads, shrimp and spoonbills, even a gator or two, Lake Peigneur–pronounced “your pain,” only backward–bustles also with human life. Each day, the bean-shaped freshwater lake and its shores hum with folks going about their work: a devoted gardener’s apprentice and his dogs, fishermen, oilmen drilling at Well P-20, and the fifty-one miners employed by the Diamond Crystal Salt Mines. For most, November 20, 1980, began as “just another day on the lake.” But as the lake itself reflects, humans had, over time, left behind a honeycomb of salt highways deep beneath its surface, and water and salt mix all too well. Bracing, suspenseful, and packed with dramatic illustrations and dense end matter, this story of a catastrophic accident–narrated with the homespun voice of a “tall” tale, but true nonetheless–will amaze science and history buffs alike.

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