Laguna Bend

Laguna Bend is a reservoir located to the southeast of Night City, within the Badlands. It was originally a small suburb in the rural outskirts of NC, whose ruins can still be found to this day under the toxic waters of the reservoir.

2044
In 2044 there was a school shooting in Laguna Bend's public school, a study case that is taught in Night City's police academies.

2062
Around mid 2062, the rent prices in the township of Laguna Bend rose drastically to the surprise of its residents. Soon after, they were informed that the land their houses stood on had been bought out by NC Dam Ltd. — a corporation who planed to turn the region into a reservoir.

During the following months, some of its residents relocated to temporary housing the company had built as compensation. However, those who ignored the municipal directives and stayed became victims of a corporate smear campaign which identified them as "agents of public unrest" — people who were preventing necessary construction in order to secure access to clean water for all of Night City. As a result, public opinion quickly turned against the residents of Laguna Bend and few paid attention to the change in police tactics and open violence against them.

The townsfolk of Laguna Bend kept protesting, usually in front of the town's church building, but to no avail. In the meantime, the company had already declared all of their houses as construction areas and ordered their workers to begin work immediately to prevent further financial loses due to delays; all this while the residents were still living in their homes. Things begun to escalate, which eventually led into a fatal accident.

On July of 2062, Friday the 14th, one resident climbed a crane in order to stall construction. Its operator responded by throwing at him objects found in crane's control room. The operator subsequently lost control of the suspended load, which collided into a home and killed a family who were still inside. This incident marked the turning point which the townsfolk had already lost. Eventually, the residents left the town, and the few who still wanted to stay were forced out by the police. They even had to drag out a neighbor — who was hell-bent in staying — moments before the water reached his house. By the time the newly constructed dam was operational, the whole town was already submerged.

Aftermath
The multimillion-eurodollar structure turned Laguna Bend into a reservoir of two million hectoliters, and any memory of the struggle of its former residents was quickly forgotten. Unfortunately, the project didn't work out as planned because the water of the lake turned toxic for unknown reasons. The neighbor who was hell-bent in staying in his home decided to build a small cottage on the lake's shore, as close to his former home as possible. Due to his proximity to the highly toxic water, he got sick and was forced to leave.

By 2077, the ruined town still remained underwater, almost completely undisturbed. Fortunately, the water was not as toxic as it was fifteen years prior, and with a good diving equipment it is possible to safely dive in its depths.

Surface

 * Laguna Bend dam
 * Abandoned lake dwelling
 * Poppy Farm

Flooded

 * Flo's Diner
 * Judy's grandparents' house
 * Gas station
 * Church
 * Public school

Data Terms

 * Dam
 * Lake Farm

Former Residents

 * Anthony Harris
 * Jenni Chapman
 * Judy Álvarez
 * Ainara Álvarez and her husband
 * Numerous Laguna Bend residents

Associated Quests

 * Pyramid Song
 * The Beast in Me: Badlands
 * The Hunt (braindance)