This lake was formed in the Pleistocene era, eutrophic lake of glacial origin, 12,000 years old, located at 2,210 meters above sea level, 3 km from Ibarra, capital of the province of Imbabura; has an area of 240.51 hectares and 7 meters deep.
Yahuarcocha is a Kichwa word that in Spanish means lake of blood, in the time of the Caranquis was the scene of the historic battle with the Incas.