Repairing a Dam

Walking toward the lake to survey the damage by the recent heavy rains. 

Only a couple of feet hold the water.

The breach.

View from below the dam.

     Update: Aerial view of the lake. One can see how much water can be contained once the dam is repaired.

Update: After the repair, four inches of rain increased the surface area of the lake. 

Horned Lizard

Archer County, Texas.

Wren Snuggling In for the Evening

Arrowhead Over the Spillway

Over the spillway.

Old derricks on the red water of Lake Arrowhead.

Lake Arrowhead at 100 Percent

Helicopter view of the spillway (at left, where the photos below were taken) of Lake Arrowhead on May 9th, 2015.

Now filled up, some guys at the spillway jump in to enjoy the historic event.

Water spills over the wall as the guys walk along from one end to the other.

Good perspective to show the size of the spillway at Lake Arrowhead.

Extended telephoto view of the water over the spillway.

Enjoying the view: Water.

Non-stop traffic came to see the water.

More rain is forecast.

Lake Arrowhead, 98 Percent

Only a few inches remain to go over the spillway . . . 

People came and viewed the water we had not seen in years. 

They drove up to this fence and sat in their cars for several minutes.

Fishermen spent the afternoon enjoying being on the lake, 

not particularly caring if they caught anything.

Residents and visitors have their lake again.

Wee-chi-tah Sculpture

The Wichita River crested on Sunday at approximately twenty-two feet. 

Jack Stevens' sculpture was safe from flooding. 

Great White Egret

   

Great-horned Owl, Sopping Wet

Red Reflection from Kickapoo to Clouds

A low layer of clouds reflected the red clay surface of the lake.

Lake Kickapoo Spillway

I read that not since 1995 has the level of Lake Kickapoo risen to flow over its spillway.

Scottish Rite Masonic Center

The impressive building of the Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Guthrie, Oklahoma.

Above the columns one reads: "To the Glory of the Grand Architect of the Universe."

Commenced in 1921, finished in 1928. 

Atrium with different columns, Corinthian, see on either side of Joan, Greek, and Doric at the stairs.

      Above one of the doors into the auditorium, the Freemasons installed an alabaster stone from the same quarry where King Solomon found the stones for his own temple. 

Phoenician Room.

Phil walks down one many impressive hallways.

Egyptian Room.

Crystal Room.

Joan at the piano. 

      The interior designer, Kathy Davis, attempted to represent in each room, each period in the recorded history of humankind. Details are prolific in every room. 

A player for 78 RPM records. 

                  The Library. with Mark Twain original editions, autographed by Samuel Clemens, stored behind glass.

The Scottish Rite Masonic Center maintains a website with a virtual tour of some of its rooms.

Visit here: Guthrie Scottish Rite

Spillway at Lake Wichita

Enthralling to see the water after several years of little rain.

Lake Kickapoo at Sixty Percent

High Wichita River

Lake Wichita Spillway

       Has it been about ten years since I have seen water flowing over the spillway? Almost bone-dry until last year, Lake Wichita's water level this week gushes over its spillway. 

       Aerial images from John's helicopter as we flew to each reservoir after the heavy rains. 

Old Aircraft Blades

Sitting on the floor of the shop, waiting to be taken to scrap metal recycling.

Busy Cliff Swallows