First Building Thermal Calden I - Performance with future Carhué

EPECUEN LAKE HISTORY

In early 1800 the lake was famous for the healing properties of its waters. Chlorides and sulphates, by physicochemical processes, produce optimal results in rheumatic diseases, skin conditions, anemia, diabetes, etc..The first analysis of its waters was conducted in 1886, ten years after Carhué was funded, it was performed by an Italian chemist who was amazed by the mineral wealth of this waters, salinity content was higher than that of the sea in a 10-1 ratio, 340g / L of salts (sea is 32g / L sea), 202g NaCl, 137g of sodium sulfate and 1 g of sodium carbonate. The first settlers and visitors began arriving by carriage from neighboring towns. These people camped in tents on its banks, marveling at the comments from people who knew of these properties. In 1899 comes the Southern Railway and four years later the Western Railway in 1903, stopping at Carhué and Epecuén (2 km from the lake). Some years later, in 1911, comes the Midland Railway of Buenos Aires (Puente Alsina - Carhué), which bases its advertising essentially the benefits of the lake and the speed of their services to attract passengers. The first scientific-medical support to its waters happened in 1909.

The Director of Public Works of the Province of Buenos Aires, Dr. José Tomás Sojo, sent professionals in various specialties: Dr. Silvio Dessy (Prof., Faculty of Medicine and Director of UBA Argentine Biological Institute) , Dr. Fernando Malenchini (Dir. of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires and Prof. Holder UNLP), Dr. Luis Mosna (Prof. of Chemical and UNLP) and Dr. Justo V. Garat (Ex. Chief of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires). "The water mineralization of Epecuén is almost identical to the well known water Salies at Biscours Biarritz (Basses-Pyrenees). The therapeutic properties benefit each year millions of patients. "The waters of Epecuén contain high levels of chlorides and sulfates, ranked first among all mineral water of the world, the chemical composition has been studied and confirmed. In the 1920s people began to envision a great future for Lake Epecuén. Thus, several pioneers and visionaries began several touristic operations to give swimmers from Buenos Aires the best experience possible.

First Spas:

• Sea Epecuén, 1921 by A. Vatteone who set up a fort-museum for tourists
• Spa and Termas de Carhué SA, 1923 on the banks of the lake near Carhué
• Spa and Termas de Epecuén SA, 1924
• Termas Hotel and Spa Bristol Carhué, 1923 SW Arroyo towards Pigüé
• Wellness and Spa "Plage Hotel", 1922
• Wellness and Spa "Las Delicias", 1927, the villa hotel Epecuén precursor, received Antonio Podesta, 1929, Luis Sandrini, 1946
• Wellness and Spa "Epecuén Mine" SA, 1921
• Spa and Hotel "Gorostegui", 1926, had a boat for 35 passengers who enjoyed traveling the lake
• Wellness "Villa Sauri" and Hotel "Clarita", 1926
• Spa Estancia "La Fortuna", 1922

The nearby ruins of “Villa Epecuen”
Near Carhué lies the town that drowned, real life Atlantis that was underwater for 25 years In 1985 a long period of heavy rains sent the lake bursting over its banks, and it swept over this busy resort. “Villa Epecuén” was submerged beneath 10 metres (30 feet) of water and 1,500 residents fled their homes Even when waters receded, the country town, 550 kilometres (340 miles) south of the capital, was never rebuilt It remained a hidden underwater world for nearly 25 years, but slowly the water around Argentina's 'town that drowned' has started to recede, exposing the ruins that nestle below. Once a vibrant spa town south of Buenos Aires, “Villa Epecuén” was flooded nearly three decades ago - the lagoon salt water has left its mark with everything slowly emerging from the flood covered in a silvery-white layer. The town was flooded without warning after a long period of heavy rains finally sent the lagoon bursting over its banks, submerging the small community on 10 November, 1985.