The City of Salisbury drained Johnsons Lake down several feet for maintenance to be performed on the damn. It was raised and lowered over the course of several months. These photos reveal features hidden by the lake.

This photo looking south, was taken from the swimming area on the East side of the lake near the dam. The swimming area has been closed to public bathing for several years. The sign post in the photo above, which is normally in the water says No Swimming. The dark objects in the water are Christmas trees which have been planted by Bass fishermen to encourage the fish population. On the beach a sizable quantity of fresh water mussels were discovered, some the size of grapefruits.

On the day I visited to take pictures, this car was discovered in the lake. It had been stolen several years before and driven in to the lake at the public bathing area only slightly below the surface. The car had been in the lake long enough that fresh water mussels had grown inside the back window ledge.

Looking North from the rear of Parsons Cemetery shows the beautiful point of land which is the home of Deers Head Center. This area of the lake is used for annual water skiing competition sponsored by the Center. Notice the numerous stumps, revealed only by the draining of the lake, which probably are unknown by the boaters speeding above them during competition.

The North End of Johnsons Lake looks like a war zone when drained. It is the home to some of the best fresh water bass fishing in the state of Maryland.

Looking North from the sandy beach at the North end of Johnsons Lake shows a deep channel probably known to few persons but dedicated fishermen. This channel is 6 to 7 feet deep and winds its way from the mid lake up into the swamp above the lake. Following the scenic stream North into the woods, this channel is 10 feet deep in places and eventually makes it's way to cross under Naylors Mill road.

October 1997, Web page author George E. Richardson, III