Shocking Sight: Popular MN State Park Lake Is Now Gone

Does this mean we're now the Land of 9,999 Lakes?

It’s a jarring sight for anyone who’s visited  Lake Alice — the familiar waters are now nothing but a creek surrounded by wetlands. The once-busy spot in Minnesota’s William O'Brien State Park has been completely drained, leaving locals and park goers wondering what happened.

Stunning Change at William O’Brien State Park

One of the great things-- and there are many-- about living here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes is the incredible state park system and nature areas that the Department of Natural Resources manages. From one of the many scenic parks along the North Shore to Carley State Park near Plainview, the Bold North really IS a beautiful state.

SEE ALSO: This State Park Is the Most Visited In the Entire State of Minnesota

But things *are* a little different these days at William O'Brien State Park in Marine on St. Croix, about 12 miles north of Stillwater. That's because the park's popular Lake Alice, a manmade lake about 26 acres in size and around 9 feet deep, KARE 11 says, is now gone.

DNR Explains Sudden Disappearance of Lake Alice

It's all thanks to what the DNR is calling a 'mechanical failure of the water control structure.' Here's what a park alert on the park's website says:

A mechanical failure of the water control structure on Lake Alice has resulted in a significant drawdown of the lake level. DNR is responding to the issue, but visitors should be aware that only a stream remains on Lake Alice at this time, impacting water recreation and the swimming beach is not usable at this time.

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KSTP notes that Lake Alice was created in 1961 when the DNR built a dam and drainage system on the creek running through the park. After heavy rains over the weekend, the DNR opened the system to drain excess water, but it wouldn't close again, resulting in much of the lake draining away.

How Long Until Lake Alice Returns?

The DNR park alert notes that it'll likely take 4 to 6 weeks for the lake to refill, but that during that time, park users can still take part in fishing, boating, and paddling on the St. Croix River, and that canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals are also still available for use on the river.

So even though there's technically one less lake right now, do you know just *which* of those 10,000 lakes have the most common names in the state? (Hint: There are a *lot* of Mud Lakes in Minnesota!) Keep scrolling to check out the rest!

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