It was named by explorer and naturalist Francisco P. Moreno as an homage to his academic mentor Juan María Gutiérrez.

[1] Despite being nowhere near any ocean and being at high altitude, the lake is also home to the kelp gull and the blue-eyed cormorant (Phalacrocorax atriceps), otherwise strictly marine birds.

[2] Archived 2011-01-12 at the Wayback Machine [3] [4] The lake's clear waters are very susceptible to climate change and have an average surface temperature of 45 °F (7 °C).

The lake is located near San Carlos de Bariloche (about 12 km), and it is a popular tourist attraction.

In this village is located the "Dr. Rosendo Pascual" geological and paleothological museum which, although small, exhibits a large collection of rocks and fossils.