The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur: A Graphic Novel Based on a True Story

by Allan Wolf, José Pimienta (illustrator)

"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.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Middle Grade, History, Survival, Juvenile, Science

176 pages, Hardcover

First published October 7, 2025

About the author

A versatile writer, Allan Wolf's picture books, poetry collections, young adult novels, and nonfiction celebrate his love of research, history, science, and poetry. He is a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist, two-time winner of the North Carolina Young Adult Book Award, and recipient of New York’s Bank Street College Claudia Lewis Award for Poetry. Booklist placed Allan’s The Watch That Ends the Night, on its list of the 50 Best YA Books of All Time.

Wolf believes in the healing powers of poetry recitation and has committed to memory nearly a thousand poems.

His newest titles include: a historical novel, (Junius Leak and the Spiraling Vortex of Doom); a picture book (The Blanket Where Violet Sits); a poetry collection (The Gift of the Broken Teacup); and a graphic novel (The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur).

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a fascinating look at 1980s event that I've never heard of. It speaks well to the impact that humans have on the land. There were some parts of it that felt repetitive, but I think it will serve as a great recommendations for graphic novel readers who like non-fiction.

[Kary H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to booktalk this to students -- a fascinating account of an unbelievable story.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense, informative, and inclusive

[BooksNCrannies · Rating 4 out of 5]

November 20, 1980, Lake Peingeur, Louisiana — the unexpected is about to happen...

✏️ Review ✏️

What a suspenseful story! I was completely drawn into this thoroughly gripping graphic novel! The Vanishing of Lake Peingeur recounts the events of an obscure historical disaster with an urgent and intense delivery that is maintained right to the very end. Once the action began, I couldn't put this book down. Great delivery!

Further enriching this story's narrative is the unique POV (quite unusual) and the dynamic illustrations. The Vanishing of Lake Peingeur is an exciting graphic novel that will have readers quickly flipping the pages to find out how this tense storyline concludes. And the bonus of reading this story: learning about a virtually unknown yet incredibly unusual and crazy disaster. What an incredible ride. Definitely recommended!

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📊 A Quick Overview 📊

👍🏼 What I Liked:
• The plot — it's lays out a good intro but quickly becomes gripping and suspenseful.
• The illustrations — they're nicely detailed and capture the movement and action of the storyline.
• The unique POV that is used to tell the story.
• The educational value of the story — informs readers about an obscure yet incredible disaster.
• The author's notes — provides further historical details and clarifies a few historical inconsistencies in the story utilized for the sake of pacing.

👎🏼 What I Did Not Like:
• (Can't think of anything in particular.)

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❓ To Read or Not To Read? ❓

— Would I recommend this book? Absolutely!*

— To whom? To those who enjoy gripping and suspenseful graphic novels about intriguing historical events and survival scenarios.

*(Note: I leave it up to each individual to decide the maturity and discernment level required to read the books I recommend, based on my content warnings below [in my Book Breakdown]. My content warnings [if any] should always be considered alongside my recommendations when deciding who these books are best suited for.)

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📖 BOOK BREAKDOWN 📖 (Overall: 4/5)
~Fundamentals {Graphic Novel Version}: (1=worst; 5=best)
— 📈 Plot: 4/5
— 🎨 Illustrations: 4/5
— 📝 Writing: 3.5/5
— 👥 Characters: 3/5

~Content: (0=none; 1=least; 5=most)

— 🤬 Language: 1/5

• One vain use of God's name.

— ⚔️ Violence: 1/5

• Prolonged sequences of mildly intense peril.

— ⚠️ Sexual: 0/5

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📣 Random Comments 📣

• (None)

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💬 Favorite Quotes 💬

• (None)

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent middle grade non-fiction graphic novel. I've never heard of this disaster and was on the edge of my seat the whole story.

[Carleton Lyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

NEVER heard of this. Wow. Amazing read.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This kept me on the edge of my seat! I could not put it down. Hard to believe this is based on true events. Excellent reporting with a captivating delivery!

[Jessica_loves_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting graphic novel told from the POV of the lake. A true story about what happened when a lake reacts after a salt mining incident. The story was a bit technical and complex, but the format helped. In the end, the fact that this story was true and that you’ve never heard of it is fascinating.

[Cindy Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had the pleasure of meeting the author at the Virginia Festival of the Book. This is an amazing story based on a true event from 1980. I was skeptical about the graphic novel format at first but I actually ended up loving it!

[Michele Knott]

NF GN
I think the GN format really worked for this story. It's action packed and a singular event so the illustrations added to the suspense. Had never heard of this event before. I can see readers who enjoy "I Survived" stories would like this one.

[Dara Tinius · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great non fiction graphic novel choice for young fans of I Survived etc.

[Hanna *Middle School Librarian* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story. Makes me want to read more about it. The art didn't work for me as much.

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had absolutely no idea that this happened. But it was super fascinating. And the fact that it was told by the lake, even cooler.

[AllyP Reads Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book about nature sticking it to man's hubris. I hated the repetition of "could have been scared but there just wasn't time". Also the tug boat guy constantly saying "Daddy" when addressing his dad the captain. He's standing two feet away from you; he's not going to be confused you're talking to someone else and neither is the reader.

I did feel bad for Charlie.

[Dolores · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart-pounding account of a perfect storm of catastrophic events. The day a lake disappeared into a giant sinkhole taking barges, boats, and derrick down into the swirling mass--and the heroism of the many people who raced against time to save all the lives at stake.

[Meggie Ramm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be retelling this story to everyone I know for the foreseeable future. I’m used to nonfiction graphic novels feeling static or slow, but this book felt like neither. It was a literal page turner, with misdirects that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Wolf & Pimenta both did a phenomenal job, turning the three hour draining of a lake into a thrilling tale of rescue and heroism. And yes, I had to spend the hour after reading this down a wikipedia rabbit hole to learn more about this event. Good for folks who like Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales or the I Survived graphic novel series. Also (and most importantly), the dog(s) live!

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Allan Wolf and illustrator Jose Pimenta have taken a crazy true story and brought it fully to life with this graphic nonfiction thriller. The cover itself is a wonderful introduction to the story with an oil rig, barges, and trees swirling around in water as if going down a bathtub drain. I can see many students being excited to pick this book up based on cover appeal alone. Once they learn that the entire book is a graphic novel, they’ll be hooked! The book unfolds over the course of one dramatic day, when a lake in Louisiana drains away into a nearby salt mine. Wolf tells the story from multiple perspectives, but the primary first “person” perspective is that of the lake itself, which is an excellent choice. Readers will also see the action from the perspective of salt miners, oil rig workers, tugboat operators, as well as other individuals on the water and on land. Lives are at risk, particularly the miners who are 1,300 feet below the surface of the earth. Luckily, many individuals rose to the challenge and performed heroic feats to save everyone. That’s right: ZERO fatalities.

Colorful, detailed illustrations help the reader understand the disaster, including visuals from a bird’s eye view and visuals that show the cross-section of the underground salt mine. Truly unbelievable geological events occurred on that day including the sinkhole, a 150 foot “waterfall” of mud, and a water/salt/mud geyser that exploded 400 feet into the air and could be heard for miles. Facial expressions convey the terror and immediacy of the situation, especially for the miners who had to wait to be rescued. Characters are Black, brown, and white. 

Excellent back matter rounds out this incredible book including a five page extensive author’s note that reveals his process, challenges, and even more fascinating information and a selected bibliography. The author’s explanation of the value of first person interviews and the need for further research is appreciated, as is his analysis of the parties to blame. Readers will be inspired to go learn more about this disaster, which may take them down a rabbit hole (sinkhole?) about the dangers of resource extraction, our country’s addiction to petrochemicals, Cancer Alley, and more. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

So the story itself is FASCINATING! like, what the heck?!?! and it all happened in a matter of hours! Like, I don't want to give away what I think is the craziest thing about it, but like the author stated at the end, it's probably unknown precisely because of what makes it amazing!

I did not like that it was told from the perspective of the lake (a lake is not sentient - it just made it seem weird and forced - I have no empathy for a lake), and for a supposed nonfiction book (IMO this is a FICTION title based heavily upon real events) they made up a lot of stuff (combined characters and editing the story to make it flow better? nah bro - that makes it fiction!) and there's no way to know exactly what they said, and he even admitted that the pandemic got in his way when trying to reach and interview survivors and witnesses to the event. And you knew right away he was taking poetic license when everyone in the story kept saying the same thing. It sounded like a rehearsed lie by the end!

That being said, I appreciate the authors notes at the end, and I can't believe that the only place they mention/point out the most amazing thing about the whole story is buried two paragraphs in to the author's note! No BOLD, no underline, just a sentence in the middle of the paragraph. Maybe I find it so jarring since I'm reading this on the 25th anniversary of an event that took so many lives, but huh. ok.

The artwork did a great job of showing the emotions the people were feeling during the event (shellshocked, horrified, stupefied, incredulity, unbelievable) and helped to put into perspective what the lake looked like before, during, and after the event.

All in all - this is a great historical fiction graphic novel (I won't call it nonfiction - but maybe it's just my library that's cataloged it this way...) that might inspire some personal investigations into other disasters and near disasters in recent history. I'd say this has wide appeal and could genuinely be interesting to 5th-8th graders. Read this if you liked the I Survived graphic novels (but this is more sophisticated and doesn't follow the lives of young characters) or if you like History Comics or Hazardous Tales!

[Mandy Lehti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allan Wolf’s The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur brought vividly to life through José Pimienta’s dynamic illustrations turns one of Louisiana’s strangest real life disasters into a captivating visual and narrative experience. The result is a rare blend of factual storytelling and emotional resonance, capturing both the awe and terror of nature’s power when met with human error.

Wolf’s storytelling voice, rich with the cadence of Southern folklore, transforms the 1980 drilling disaster into a cautionary tale that reads as myth yet remains strikingly real. The day the lake “swallowed itself” becomes not just a geological event, but a meditation on human ambition, hubris, and resilience.

Pimienta’s illustrations amplify the tension and wonder of the story layering technical accuracy with expressive detail. Each page immerses the reader in a world of contrasts: beauty and destruction, industry and nature, survival and loss. The pairing of Wolf’s lyrical narration with Pimienta’s art achieves something rare in nonfiction graphic storytelling a balance of education, empathy, and awe.

The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur stands as a model of how history can be reimagined through art. It invites readers of all ages to bear witness to an almost forgotten event while reflecting on humanity’s enduring relationship with the natural world.

[Ayesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It took nature thousands of years to form Lake Peigneur. To destroy the lake took humans just a few hours of drilling.”

I'm not a huge fan of disaster stories but I really liked the way this one was narrated. The circumstances of the catastrophe are so unique that I almost can't believe it happened for real. But what I can believe only too well is that corporate greed and callousness towards humans as well as nature in the never-ending quest to exploit natural resources can have such disastrous and far-reaching consequences.

What I appreciated the most was that the story was told from the lake's perspective - and I love me a good unique PoV.

The storytelling was simple yet riveting and I couldn't help but keep turning the pages out of morbid curiosity to find out how the situation was slowly and progressively worsening, unbeknownst to anyone. Thankfully it did come to light soon enough and prompt action ensured everyone survived, which is again hard to believe given the absurdity of the chaos. It did restore some of my faith in humanity, the heroism shown by people that day to help everyone make it out safely, including the dog.

It's supposed to be a kids' book but I think anyone can read and appreciate it.

[Xanthe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pairs nicely with Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right . Riveting and informative both, I read this all in one sitting while my family watched football. Environmental disaster in Louisiana, yay. I felt a high amount of horror and also disbelief that I'd never heard of this particular event before, but it seems that we're really great at forgetting things that really should be cautionary tales. This book told its story in a way that's really accessible for kids, explaining the backgrounds of the salt mine, the oil drilling platform, the botanical garden, etc., and then sticking with all the players as they watched in fear and disbelief as a lake was sucked away in front of the eyes and beneath their boats. The author resists extrapolating out to preach about corporate greed (beyond stating the incredibly obvious) but lets the events and causes speak for themselves.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one, oddly compelling, is a 3.5 for me! Told from the unique perspective of a body of water--Lake Peigneur--this fascinating story of a lake that literally vanished and then returned is filled with great description and suspense that builds throughout the narrative. Because the story is so visual, the use of the graphic novel format to tell the true tale is particularly effective. It's hard to tell what the images will look like in the final version, though, since this ARC is in black and white. I like some of the digital artwork more than others. It contains references and a discussion of sources as well as nifty facts and an important section on what was learned from this man-made ecological disaster. The beginning is a bit slow, but disaster books tend to have high appeal for pre-teens and teens. This one reads a little on the young side for me. Plus, the author has taken liberties with some of the characters so portions of it are fiction. Still, who wouldn't be on the edge of their seats to learn about Cindy's fate?

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gripping graphic novel tells the story of Lake Peigneur that disappeared and later refilled on November 20, 1980. The lake was flanked by a salt mine and an oil rig. At some point in the morning, there was a large pop. The oil rig stopped and started to tilt finally disappearing from view. At the same time the salt mines began to fill with water causing over thirty miners to scramble to find their way to safety. The novel follows the events as the water drained from the lake into the underground caverns causing a whirlpool and sucked the various boats on the lake into the caverns. The emergency was quick and dangerous but luckily no human lives were lost. This is a great addition to collections with a following for the "I Survived" series. The title also includes further information and details about the event along with a selected bibliography. I would say this title is appropriate for ages 9 and up. This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humans are such a sore spot to Mother Nature, aren't we?

Despite really, really not thinking much of the art style and the premise, and finding a lot of the panels repetitive, which in telling this story, how many hundreds of unique panel concepts and aspects could one dream up, I actually really got caught up in the human drama of this very real, and very dangerous true event. I think had it not been non-fic, it wouldn't have worked, and I think that this really should be a movie. I think telling this story was a huge risk by the publisher because I personally think you need real actors and sound to achieve the immersion here.

I really got sucked in and read it in on sitting which I never do, so I bumped my 3.5 up to a well earned 4 for pacing and word choice and sentence construction. I think in lesser hands, this story would have been a boring disaster. The execution was really needed here, and I think it shines in that department. Still didn't enjoy the artwork, but I did respond emotionally to the tension, visual scope in areas, and the color choices.

[Tess · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur by Allan Wolf (a companion to Junius Leak and the Spiraling Vortex of Doom?)

Plot: The true story of a lake in Louisiana that disappeared and reappeared in alarming fashion told by the lake itself. Watch as oil drillers, salt miners, boat passengers, german shepherds and more race to evacuate the area as the lake transforms from a vortex, to a sinkhole, to the tallest waterfall in the state, to a geyser, to a calm lake once again.

Characters: Mr. Bayless, Mike Richard the gardener, Cindy and the pups, fishermen Speck and Timmy, "Charlie" the tugboat Captain Menard and his son Randy, Tool Pusher Gordon from the oil rig, Master Electrician Junius and Shift Foreman Earl from the salt mine

What I liked: brings awareness to little-known historic disaster, dramatic, suspenseful, dense back matter, meticulously researched (honest acknowledgment of gaps in investigation adds credibility), cautionary tale about industry’s impact on the natural world, budding environmentalists will be captivated, muted bucolic retro-feel colors and strategic panel design, survival story, heroism

Concerns: possibly traumatic depending on sensitivity of audience

[Mary Hanna Wilson | Read with Ms. Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life around Lake Peigneur in Louisiana moves at an easy, everyday pace, shared by fishermen, miners, oil workers, and plenty of wildlife. November 20, 1980, started out as just another normal day, with no hint of what was coming. Beneath the calm surface, though, years of salt mining had left a fragile maze underground, and one mistake set off a chain reaction no one could stop. Told in a lively, almost tall-tale voice, this true story blends science, history, and suspense in a way that’s both fascinating and unforgettable.

I am always on the lookout for non-fiction graphic novels, and I was thrilled to find this one. This story kept me on the edge of my seat. It is hard to believe that it is really true. The graphic format was a great choice because it allowed for plenty of story details without overwhelming the reader.

After reading, I began doing more online research, and for me, that is always the sign of a great non-fiction read!

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. The Lake is narrator, telling us what happened that fateful day
Salt miners, oil rig guys, ferry boat operator, fishing guys, gardeners on the shore, dogs
Worried people might get sucked into the whirlpool
Repeating refrain for the various people, even a dog, that they could have been scared/afraid but there was just wasn’t time.
Cool that there is a frame break for the human chain that pulls up the fishermen
About same urgency as the soccer players in the Thailand caves book
How long did the disaster take? Hours? Mins? Pg 132 gives some time frames
Excellent back matter & research: who was at fault? the main factors humankind need for oil this it allows us to accept disasters as the cost of keeping our lights on and our tanks full.
Section on the dogs
Everyone was a hero that day

[Molly]

So compelling and intense! Like many, I'd never heard of this ecological disaster and the heroes that emerged from that day. I appreciated the alternating perspectives that were constructed using first-hand accounts, as well as how much care Wolf put into the research for this book.

The notes at the end were also enlightening and included a call to action in regards to oil and the consideration of sustainable energy. (Though I wish it would have included photos!) Living in a town that is also still recovering from a human-made disaster regarding oil, I really appreciate that younger generations are being encouraged to rethink energy solutions. Highly recommend!

TW: pet peril and off-page death

"The main factor is humankind's need for oil. This need allows us to accept disasters as the cost of keeping our lights on and our tanks full." (p 167)

[Allison Haehnel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A graphic novel filled with facts, emotions, and fantastical occurrences when a southern Louisiana lake fell victim to human intervention. An entire 1,200 acre lake disappeared into the earth as a result of an unfortunate conflict between oil drilling and salt excavation. Shockingly no human life was lost despite the earth’s ingestion of a 130 foot tall oil derrick, eleven barges, a tugboat, a fishing skiff, 150-year old trees, and much more. Very little composition of characters or events leads to a tense retelling of the drama as dozens watched the lake quickly disappear, slowly refill over days, and then find a new balance. Perfect for middle grade and junior high students who love learning about the unbelievable.

[Glenna Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel tells the true story, with a few compressions, of the vanishing of a shallow lake in Louisiana in 1980. Put a salt mine and an oil rig on a collision course with perhaps some faulty maps, and what happens? Read this fascinating account to discover. As the miners remind us consistently, water dissolves salt. The vanishing of Lake Peigneur demonstrates the large-scale unintended consequences of a simple mistake. Although the novel begins a bit slowly, the action builds as the narrator, the lake itself, alternates between the above- and below-ground dramas happening simultaneously. I would also recommend reading a fiction novel by the same author: Junius Leak and the Spiraling Vortex of Doom, which is based on the same event.