Once a shimmering lake nestled 70 kilometers southwest of Santiago de Chile, Laguna Aculeo was a place of light and life. Only a decade ago, its waters — fed by the Andes — embraced an island where families came to swim, sail, and drift through weekends of calm. Today, beneath the old boat docks, thin cows wander the cracked earth, seeking shade where soft waves once touched the shore. Years of relentless drought, a growing population, and thirsty plantations have drained its heart dry. Still, some hold on to hope — whispering that all it needs is rain, and the lake will return to life once more.
