The Sunken City Of Old Arenal

This shows Old Arenal in the pink area which is now flooded

In The 1970,s The Government Electricity Company known as ICI developed a plan to build an earthen dam on what is now the eastern end of Lake Arenal to create and hydro electrical project and produce much needed electricity for Costa Rica.  The Lake would be increased to 3 times its original size in the process. The only problem other than the cost was that there was a fair sized town called Arenal in a spot that would be one of the deepest parts of the expanded lake. Another town Tronadora would also be partially sub merged as well as a number of farms and homes.

            

So the work commenced, at the same time personel from ICI negotiated with the residnets of Arenal, Tronadora and elsewhere to relocate. In the case of Arenal, an entire new town was planned called Nuevo (New) Arenal, with new commercial areas, church, school clinic and the many homes necessary to accomodate all the residents. This plan was not popular with all the people required to move, some had lived in the same homes for generations and in fact refused to move. In some cases families refused to vacate their homes until the water lapped onto their doorsteps.

Old Arenal, as it is now called lies under 200 feet of water. The steeple of the old church, which is closer to the shore sometimes pops up above the water when the lake is low.

Some of the old timers who now live in Nuevo Arenal pine for the good old days in their old town.

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Over one year ago a Doctor from Chicago surfing the web for information on Real Estate In Costa Rica came upon our web site  moranlakearenal.com and was enthralled by what he saw. We began to correspond, him doing his due dilligence asking a million questions, especially since he had never been to Costa Rica. The real estate questions I answered as completely and thoroughly as possible. When the questions regarded legal I introduced him to our super attorney Gonzalo Viquez (Junior), for construction to Luc Charette. All responded quickly and efficiently to his every inquiry. He was drawn to the Real Estate development Turtle Cove Yacht Club. He asked my opinion as to what lot I thought was the best buy. I responded and he bought it cash sight unseen.
He then asked Luc Charette to recommend an architect to design a home for the lot. Luc gave him a name and a plan was created, with Luc,s input about the site, topography and the views. The Doctor approved the plans and construction commenced. He had still never come to Costa Rica. As the construction progressed Luc would send him regular photos and comments, questions about the construction. He would call me regularly to ask my opinion about colors, tiles, windows. The house was completed just a  month ago and is now being furnished by Luc. The Doctor has still to this day never stepped foot on Costa Rica and I would like to include an e mail I just received from him today as a testament to our team work, trust and professionalism.

Hi Terry, Just wanted to let you know how much I like the house, and how much I appreciate all the help you and Luc and Jr. have been. I am just starting to work with Luc on the furniture and look forward to seeing it finished. But most of all I want to say thank you and wish you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year! Talk to you in 2010. Regards, John

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