Last days of camping...2011

Photos taken during our last camp out of the season. Hemingford Dam aka Box Butte Reservoir is a lake fairly close to home. We always make at least one trek there and sometimes several just to spend a few days of relaxation. The flood waters all over the country also affected our small lake as the incoming river swelled over the summer. Water levels raised to some of the highest ever and left its marks on the landscape around the lake.

High water lines on the trees in areas usually used for tent camping

 Late summer saw the water levels receding as this lake is used for irrigation of farm crops throughout western Nebraska...a practice that has drawn the levels down for years in the fall. This always draws down the lake to extremely low levels. This year the water level, although it may appear low in these photos, is actually up pretty good. Beginning next year it will no longer be used for irrigation so for the first time, the level will stay high year round. The unusual high water left some odd scars on the surrounding land features. Today and tomorrow I will share a few of these photos, today's features are mostly sights through the trees.

Thanks for viewing!

Cheri