Where's the water gone?

Our local conservation area, Burns, has a small lake and a 2 KM trail where I often walk our dogs since it's so close to our home.  We've been visiting this conservation area for over 25 years and lived near it for 24 years.  I avoided it this summer largely due to the mosquitoes (despite the fact that we had a drought, there were still plenty of mosquitoes).  Now that it's turned cool(er), I ventured there with Miska, Tyro and Diva yesterday and was shocked to see what remains of the lake which might be better called a puddle or mudflats.   The water level is down at least 5 feet, which in a small lake, makes a huge difference.  I have pictures here going back 7 years and this is the lowest water level I ever recall seeing in 25+ years.

Burns Lake, October 6, 2012

No dock diving for the dogs!! The water is usually right up to the grassy area to the R of the boardwalk

Dogs started barking at the tree stumps since they (dogs) aren't used to seeing them there

Contrast this with the similar view (below) in 2008

Overflow channel; water in spring is usually up to the top of this structure

Tree stumps now visible in the middle of the lake.

View looking back at the dock area; all this mud is usually covered with water

The 'mud flats'

 Burns Lake, May 2005

The water table is always higher in spring due to melting snow and spring rain although it wasn't as high in May as some years,

Sasha in Burns Lake, May 31, 2005

 Burns Lake, October 2, 2008 (below)

These were taken 4 years ago, at almost the exact time of year as this fall.  Notice how much water there is in the lake four years ago.

Diva & Miska

Normal water levels in fall.

Burns Lake, November 6, 2011 (below)

The lake was filled with water when we took the Varazs Vizsla family for a walk almost one year ago.