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[IASTClone]

Was at the City this past Sunday.  Noticed that Lake Silver was very low.  Any word on any projects going on around it?

[Junior]

They "draw down" the lake level in winter, it's common, and has gone on for decades. It allows them to do maintenance on buildings surrounding the lake.

[Gilligan]

Was it frozen?  That would be cool if they allowed ice skating on it during the winter!

[Junior]

Every now and then there might be a thin layer of ice on part of the lake. Never have seen it so cold that it would be solid enough to skate or walk around on. Who knows, maybe it does freeze hard in the middle of winter. I just have never seen it.

[runner1960]

Was not frozen last weekend on Saturday.

[Hollwood]

With the cave directly below it, I doubt it ever will...

[MoOzark]

I believe that Lake Silver is a "natural" lake. It seems to be a sinkhole that holds water and slowly drains into Marvel Cave. I have read references to it in old writings about the cave. A hundred years ago it was called "Marvel Cave Pond" and I have an old real-photo postcard of it from the 1910's. Anyway I believe it is a photo of the same pond that is now Lake Silver.

The Ozark Mountaineer magazine had an article, about 15-20 years ago, about a group of college women that took the train to the Marvel Cave stop. I believe this was sometime in the 1910's or 1920's. Anyway it tells that it was a hot summer day. When they came to the pond they all went "skinny dipping." ("Wild Women" or what?  )

If anyone know any further history on the pond, I'd love to hear about.

[Junior]

I've read that Ozarks Mountaineer article. I did not put two and two together. You are probably right. PLEASE post the photo. I'd love to see it. I spent 5 of 7 seasons along that lake shore. I'd like to see that old photo to just take a look to see if the shoreline looks the same. Thanks! Early SDC maps point out a path to a "bass pond." Could this be the same body of water?

[History Buff]

This is interesting.  If it is a natural pond, I am certain it has been modified with lots of damwork and bankwork.  It's doubtful original maps will match the current shape of the lake.

[Junior]

As a "fond farewell" prank from my cousins at the diving bell, on my last day of work in 1983 season I was, with much ceremony, tossed into Lake Silver from the wharf area. Did a flip on the way down, and when I landed in the water about 10 feet out my boots came to rest on...CONCRETE. I don't know how much of the lake has concrete in it as a liner, but at least part of it does. I would still LOVE to see the photo from the old, old, days.

[KBCraig]

You could use Google Earth's timeline to check the lake over the decades.

[thelarsonsix]

How far does that go back?

[KBCraig]

I don't know -- ironically, I can't get Google Earth on my Chromebook.

[thelarsonsix]

I installed it, the oldest map it shows is 1991.

[MoOzark]

I still haven't found my marvel cave pond post card but here is one just like it that sold on eBay for $41.00. I believe this PC was produced by Edna Waltz of Branson in the 1910s. She didn't make very many different postcards and they are scarce today. It is hard to tell how big it originally was from the photo. Most sinkhole ponds like this usually have more water during Spring when there is lots of rain. They often go dry by late summer. I don't know if this one held water year round or not.  However, I believe this pond was a major recharge source for Marvel Cave.