On November 10, 1985, a heavy rainstorm followed a series of wet winters leading to the lake overflowing its banks and putting the city under 30 feet. The lake had a very high concentration of saltwater (10x more than the ocean) and so everything was soon corroded.
As the lake swelled over the city's banks, everyone in the town evacuated Epecuen, permanently leaving behind their former lives and starting anew. Everyone except for the now-82-year-old Pablo Novak, that is.
"Until about four or five years after the flood, when the waters were still high, nobody came around here at all," Mr. Novak explained. "I was totally alone. All day, every day."
Eventually people did start finding their way back to the lakeside town, though only to marvel at the view. The town is still empty, but its barren wasteland gives an eerily apocalyptic feel that is starting to draw attention.
"Whoever passes nearby cannot go without coming to visit here," Novak said while showing The Associated Press around. "It's getting more people to the area, as they come to see the ruins."
Many of those who fled Epecuen after the flood went to nearby Carhue, which has taken on the role of a resort destination that Epecuen once had. Now with the allure of the ruins paired with Carhue's spa, visitors seem to be getting the best of both worlds.
"Not only do we have Epecuen with the ruins and its natural wealth, but we also can increasingly offer other alternatives," said Javier Andres, the local tourism director.
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