This is the view we have out of our RV window right now. Our Lake has been disappearing since the end of September, when the Army Corps of Engineers began draining Fern Ridge Lake (which is really a flood-control reservoir). It's been interesting to watch the progress -- we're usually away from here by the time this annual project starts.
The first picture above is Bill at the docks in mid-August. Middle picture is mid-September; all of the boats had been taken out except for ones the size of this electronically controlled miniature. Some hobbyists who live here in the park really enjoyed having the empty marina area to race their little boats around. The last picture is early this month (November). You could see the bottom -- and now, if you didn't mind muddy shoes, you could walk around without even getting your ankles damp.
In the summer time, when our view looks like this, it's easy to forget that the Lake isn't completely natural.
________________________________________________________
It's still interestng to look at now, in a different -- and kind of eerie -- way. There's been a different view every day since the Lake started to go down. We see more shore birds now. The shallow water -- and mud flats -- provide easy pickings for them.
____________________________________________
Change is always interesting. And this year, for the first time in quite a while, we are experiencing the seasonal changes of Fall without even going on a roadtrip.
Was This in Eugene Oregon?
Posted by: CdcLink | April 30, 2012 at 04:59 AM
Ah, now I understand, Sallie. Super photos of the Fern Ridge [reservoir] no-Lake. Must be fascinating to watch it drain. And I agree, there is an eerie beauty to the drained reservoir and I am among those who'd go out for a walk there... although not in bare feet; I get a creepy feeling walking in mud.
Posted by: Francisca | October 27, 2011 at 05:47 AM
Once, again, an awesome post and great photos!! You rock!
Posted by: BPOTW | November 22, 2009 at 01:25 PM
Those pictures are lovely :)
Posted by: Quasi Serendipita | November 21, 2009 at 02:16 PM
I found this post via BPOTW. I enjoyed seeing all of the photos of Fern Ridge Resevoir!
I used to live in Eugene, and loved seeing Fern Ridge as we drove by on our trips to the coast. Now we live closer to Salem. It's always fun to find a fellow Oregonian online!
Posted by: Alyce | November 21, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Great scenery.
Sydney - City and Suburbs
Posted by: J Bar | November 18, 2009 at 06:22 PM
Okay, so they let it out - snow falls and when it melts - it fills up again?
Posted by: Chatty Crone | November 16, 2009 at 05:56 PM
I'm glad y'all enjoyed visiting our muddy view!
The engineers who are in charge of draining it use long-term weather forecasts (predicted snowfall in the mountains etc) to guess how much water to let out and how fast -- and so there is kind of an art involved on their part, because they can't know for sure. But they are quite accurate. It's always been full in the summer as far as I know.
Some people do muck around out there once the Lake is drained. And I still might, just for the fun of saying I did it. There are signs posted around the edges here and there saying that it's actually against the Antiquities Law to collect Indian artifacts from the area.
Posted by: Sallie (FullTime-Life) | November 16, 2009 at 10:37 AM
This was a very interesting post. I'm not familiar with Fern Ridge Lake and wasn't aware the COE would drain an area so completely. It makes for some interesting photos however.
Posted by: Margot at Joyfully Retired | November 16, 2009 at 09:46 AM
This was a very interesting post. I'd want to put on a pair of rubber boots or throw-away shoes and walk around in that muck and look for treasures.
Posted by: donna | November 16, 2009 at 02:16 AM
That's definitely a different view. So there must be enough rain for the lake to recover each year? I had no idea they drained them so low.
You caught a nice sky reflection in that big puddle.
Posted by: Carletta | November 15, 2009 at 05:26 PM
Amazing transformation when the water recedes. All the views are wonderful. I've shared some photos from my sister this week.
Hugs and blessings,
Posted by: storyteller at Sacred Ruminations | November 15, 2009 at 08:14 AM
Personally I prefer seeing a lake with water but being a birder I love seeing the different birds that the mudflats attract.
Interesting post and photos.
Posted by: Eileen | November 15, 2009 at 04:26 AM
Your pictures are great. It is so nice to see different scenes in the world. Maybe you want to see my pictures of my scenes?
Posted by: Riet | November 15, 2009 at 01:50 AM