Drought @ Lake Conroe

[mclawson]

Took a few shots this past weekend - nothing great or profound, just documenting, really. It's strange to think that where I was walking would have been water a bit over my head not too long ago. This is next to the bridge I drive across to get into and out of my neighborhood.

Dry docks.


Cracks.






No kidding No Wake Zone.

[Rick4003]

I feel kinda bad, we're getting nothing but rain here in the Chicago area, as well as mid October temps. I enjoy the irony of the "No wake zone" shots.

[Todd Lambert]

Well, at least it affords the opportunity to clean up the lake a lot easier.

Love the textures you got, those are great.

[wondershots]

Unreal! Your shots seem to really document the situation well. I've not been to Lake Conroe since 5/09 so I'm sure I'd be blown away by the low water conditions. Sad. Come on rain!

[TxPhotoShooter]

Very nice documentary shots. I drive quite often on Fm 1097 and just shake my head in disbelief.

[mclawson]

Originally Posted by TxPhotoShooter

Very nice documentary shots. I drive quite often on Fm 1097 and just shake my head in disbelief.

Thanks.

It's pretty bad. This is the same spot (on 1097, just past Gemstone as you're heading from Montgomery to Willis) from a slightly lower perspective and with a wider lens on the bottom. It's amazing how much the whole area has changed due to lack of rain. I'd guess it's down 8-10 feet and maybe more, now and dropping quickly. That's a lot for a lake that's only 4-5 feet deep in spots like this.

I used to photograph lake birds in this spot. I wish I had more before shots from other locations since it's pretty drastic in places.

Some quick and dirty panos...

Click for larger images.
Late October 2009:


July 2011 (there's no water there now at all, of course):

[mclawson]

Originally Posted by Rick4003

I feel kinda bad, we're getting nothing but rain here in the Chicago area, as well as mid October temps. I enjoy the irony of the "No wake zone" shots.

Thanks. We actually got a big, but brief, thunderstorm today. It won't impact the lake at all, but it was nice to just see rain for a bit.

[mclawson]

Originally Posted by Todd Lambert

Well, at least it affords the opportunity to clean up the lake a lot easier.

Love the textures you got, those are great.

Thanks!

True, but I doubt it happens. The shore is littered with trash and nobody seems to do anything about it. It's interesting to see the stuff that used to be underwater, from anchors to buckets. I need to find my metal detector and poke around a bit.

[mclawson]

Originally Posted by wondershots

Unreal! Your shots seem to really document the situation well. I've not been to Lake Conroe since 5/09 so I'm sure I'd be blown away by the low water conditions. Sad. Come on rain!

Thanks! You probably wouldn't even recognize some spots. It's surreal.

[auddii]

I'm a fan of cracked soil, so I like these. #3 is my favorite.

[iCe]

Wow... that is amazing.

You did a nice job on these. I really like the no wake zone buoy's

[catfish]

Nice job documenting the damage.