Spillway, FW Kent Park, IA

This is where the lake normally drains out, down this concrete spillway. It was still where the stream is draining, but instead of spilling over the top, it was passing through a little gate at the bottom, actuated by the metal bar at the left side.

Cracked-mud lake bed, FW Kent Park, IA

The mud on the bottom of the lake had dried into a spongy surface with massive and deep cracks. While the top was quite solid and dusty, it was still damp beneath, and shifted in an unsettling way under our feet as we walked, especially in the areas where the foliage was much thicker and we could not see our feet. Notice also the freshwater clam dried out between the cracks.

Remnant river, FW Kent Park, IA

Here is the last bit of stream that remained winding through the middle of lake, a mere few inches across.

Mystery crate, FW Kent Park, IA

Also scattered on the lake bed were a number of odd wooden crates, dark, decayed, and irregular in shape. I was unable to figure out what they might have been from or for: maybe they were part of stocking the pond with fish? Note also the monarch butterfly in the foreground.

Lakebed stump, FW Kent Park, IA

One of the hallmarks of artificial lakes is the waterlogged tree stumps that lurk down below on the bottom, left in place when the land was cleared to make the lake. When the lake was drained, these skeletons of its past rise back to view again.

Fishing pier, FW Kent Park, IA

One edge of the lake has this square fishing pier, now standing high and dry above a little muddy puddle. When they first drained the lake, I wonder if they tried to do anything about the fish, or if it all just stank to high heaven for the first few weeks.

Lake under construction, FW Kent Park, IA

Another view onto the empty lake, past the orange safety barriers around construction points upon the shore as well.