I made this post back in early Feb.:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1139428557

Well I went back out to the lake today to see the progress.  WOW!!!!! A little grass has grown.

Back in Feb:

Now:

Back in Feb:

Now:

Back in Feb: (the pic above and this one are actually about the same photo)

Now: (around the other side of the point)The above pic too

That's awsome. I see plenty of new structure. The one thing I don't see as a big pile of hardwoods. They last longer than those christmas trees. When's it due to be filled back up?

Those are some awesome pictures to have. I bet you're gonna be really happy when they refill the lake.

Dang, I can't believe the vegetation now.  It looks like they've built up some rock piles too.  I was out there during a snow storm in Feb but haven't been back since.  I GPS'd several spots (bridges, a house foundation, a well, humps, etc...)  

Did you go over to the other side of the lake where they were digging?  They dug out some really nice trenches that I hope they leave.

That is just crazy.  

That looks like it will be a nice lake to fish when they fill it back up. I can see a lot more underwater cover for the fish in the after pics than the before. How deep is the lake normally when it is full pool, and how many acres is it?

Thats crazy.

That's awsome. I see plenty of new structure. The one thing I don't see as a big pile of hardwoods. They last longer than those christmas trees. When's it due to be filled back up?

Before it fills back up, I plan on building something to put out there.

Here's what I found on the KDWP website about filling it up.

Douglas State Fishing Lake remains closed to fishing. Repairs have been completed. Valve was closed June 26th. Lake will begin refilling during runoff events

Does that mean they are going to let if fill naturally?? ..... If so, it's going to take a looonnnngggg time I would think.

How deep is the lake normally when it is full pool, and how many acres is it?

At full pool, the max septh is 42 ft (but it's a fairly shallow lake when you get away from the dam) and it's 180 acres.

I've got a feeling that you'll have a "world class fishery" on your hands there in a few years.  Awesome pics, I bet those will come in very handy in the years to come.

It does sound like they will let it fill naturally, and I agree it seems like it will take a very long time.

The amount of structure that I see makes my mouth water.  I could only wish that my "home" lake had as much.  

I didn't see your post in Feb. Can you tell us again the reason for draining it?

Dam repairs.

I'll bet all that new vegetation is keeping the Deer in the area happy also.

If the lake does get some water in it that would be a great place to hunt ducks they would love all those weeds. That's if they allow hunting.

heres a question. where did all the fish go to? how are they gonna get back in?

heres a question. where did all the fish go to? how are they gonna get back in?

They hibernated and went underground ..... ;D ;D j/k of course

Amount the month before the lake was completely drained, they were allowing people to keep fish of anysize and allowed catching them by any means.

I'm sure they will will restock it when some water returns. So it's going to be a while until there are some good fish in there.

KU, cool deal to have the pics of the lake and be able to go around and GPS stuff.

Wish I would have been smart enough to do that here.

In my post from last week about catching a 20.33 lb stringer, the lake I did that at was drained about 4-5 years ago, also for dam repairs. It is a really shallow lake and had all that same type of grass grow while the lake was empty. That grass dies off once the water starts to cover it. Our lake was electrofished several times by fish commission personnel prior to complete draining. The fish were re-located to other bodies of water and the actual size of the fish were monitored. When the lake was allowed to re-fill it was re-stocked with same size and types of fish that were taken out. To date the lake is in excellent condition. I hope your lake turns out the same!

That roadbed looks awesome. I hope you remember that spot. Put a brushpile near it and you will be set.