Photo TR: Wisconsin Dells (Checking out Lake Delton)

[themeparkguy27]

We went up to Wisconsin Dells this past weekend to celebrate the 4th with our family. We stayed at the Kalahari Resort, with indoor and outdoor waterparks.

 

On Sunday the 6th, we decided to take a little tour of what used to be Lake Delton, before it was wiped out last month. On June 9th, there were torrential rains that flooded the city, and ended up breaking a dam. What was Lake Delton emptied in a little over 4 hours. It destroyed houses, trees, took boats and other debris downstream.

 

Heres a Youtube video showing what happened (NOT MY VIDEO)

 

[YouTube]

 

The Lake Delton Police don't want anyone passing the fence, but there were lots of people looking around.

 

A Lady walking around in what used to be the lake. This is by Country Road A, which was wiped out.

 

This tree had the land around it washed away...

 

Debris from the houses that cracked in half, lying where the Lake used to be

 

Here you can see the house that was cracked in half, when the ground underneath it was washed away.

 

Someone decided it would be ok to go inside the house and graffiti over the walls.

 

 

 

These signs are posted all over the house. With it cracked in half, it might be wise to stay out, I would think...

 

The doorway to nowhere. This is from the house that's back half cracked off and went down the river.

 

More of the devastation....

 

The bathroom floor and toilet are now sitting in the muck and mud of the old lake

 

The house that cracked in half, from the side.

 

The 80 year old lake, that should be busy with boaters and water skiers, now just empty.

 

Boat dock with no water nor boats....

 

The police showed up and told everyone to leave the area. No gawking here please.

 

We went to a different section, and found more empty docks.

 

The now quiet lake, hopefully one day refilled.

 

This lake is huge to the Dells economy. There are lots of resorts and vacation homes on the lake, and many business that rent boats are hurting this summer.

 

It appeared to be tree stumps lining the bottom of the now missing lake. The lake was made around 80 years ago.

 

On a happier note...the Kalarahi resort was busy, and the outdoor pool was packed. Here is the view from our room.

 

 

Thanks for reading!

[Homer]

I like UrbEx (Urban Exploration) pictures and stories a lot, I enjoyed this TR.

 

A little gloomy to see an empty lake though.

[mcjaco]

And to note, this is the second time this has happened if I recall correctly.

 

It's weird to know I was passing through there the day before this happened and much of I94 was closed due to flooding.

[timberskara]

Thanks for posting this-- the Dells have been a long-time favorite place for me and it's crazy fascinating to see where the lake used to be.

 

Looks like it was nice weather for some waterpark action!

[TheRapidsNerd]

That's some craziness with the lake. Wow...

Yay for Kalahari!

 

Thanks for putting this up.

[Kalepi_Konei]

That first house in the video was just GORGEOUS to bad it went. Luckily it looked like some of the homes you photo'd and in the video look to be under construction with all the Tycex signs and what not. (atleast I hope they were)

[themeparkguy27]

That first house in the video was just GORGEOUS to bad it went. Luckily it looked like some of the homes you photo'd and in the video look to be under construction with all the Tycex signs and what not. (atleast I hope they were)

 

They appear that way in the pictures, but they were actually lived in. The Tyvek is showing because they were so badly ripped apart.

 

Timberskara...the weather was AWESOME over the 4th of July weekend. The Kalahari was packed, at least the outside waterpark. Inside, not so much, which was good, because many in our group got to try out the Flowrider with little to no wait.