Missing MN Lake Will Now Remain Missing for 18 Months

Why Did Lake Alice at William O'Brien State Park Vanish?

A lake in a Minnesota State Park that suddenly vanished last summer will now remain missing until fall 2027.

It was a jarring sight last August for anyone who had previously visited Lake Alice — the familiar waters had vanished, and all that was left was a creek surrounded by wetlands. The once-busy spot in Minnesota’s William O'Brien State Park had been completely drained, leaving locals and park goers wondering what happened.

One of the great things-- and there are many-- about living here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes is the incredible state park system and nature areas that the Department of Natural Resources manages. From one of the many scenic parks along the North Shore to Carley State Park near Plainview, the Bold North really IS a beautiful state.

SEE ALSO: MN's Only National Park Ranks Higher Than Yellowstone, Yosemite and Other Popular National Parks

But things *are* a still a little different these days at William O'Brien State Park in Marine on St. Croix, about 12 miles north of Stillwater. That's because the park's popular Lake Alice, a manmade lake about 26 acres in size and around 9 feet deep, KARE 11 says, was completely drained last August and is gone. And it looks like it'll stay that way for another 18 months or so.

Minnesota DNR Update: Mechanical Failure Drains Lake Alice

Last summer, DNR called the draining of Lake Alice a 'mechanical failure of the water control structure.' Here's what a park alert on the park's website said:

A mechanical failure of the water control structure on Lake Alice has resulted in a significant drawdown of the lake level. DNR is responding to the issue, but visitors should be aware that only a stream remains on Lake Alice at this time, impacting water recreation and the swimming beach is not usable at this time.

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KSTP notes that Lake Alice was created in 1961 when the DNR built a dam and drainage system on the creek running through the park. After heavy rains last August, the DNR opened the system to drain excess water. However, the system then wouldn't close again, resulting in much of the lake draining away.

When Will Lake Alice Refill? New Timeline for 2027

The DNR park alert from last summer noted that it would likely take 4 to 6 weeks for the lake to refill. But in an update earlier this week, that won't happen now until the fall of 2027. According to this Yahoo! News update, the DNR is planning a 'total replacement' of the system that created the lake.

The story said DNR officials plan to apply for permits and undertake land and archaeological surveys, along with other natural resource field work, later this summer. But it'll take a lot longer than the initial 4 to 6 weeks to refill Lake Alice:

The water control structure construction and public-water access dredging is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2027; the project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2027.

The DNR said last summer that while Lake Alice is missing, park users can still take part in fishing, boating, and paddling on the St. Croix River, and that canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals are also still available for use on the river.

Speaking of lakes, do you know just *which* of our 10,000 lakes have the most common names in the state? (Hint: There are a *lot* of Mud Lakes in Minnesota!) Keep scrolling to check out the rest!