The old Highway 10 roadbed is normally hidden beneath Arkansas' Lake Maumelle. Drought has left the reservoir strikingly low, exposing a stretch of the route.
A content creator documented the exposed roadway, offering a ground-level view of a landscape ordinarily hidden beneath the water.
Here's what to know
In a TikTok video, content creator Todd the Yak (@todd.the.yak) described the road's history as something he was told about because it predates him.
@todd.the.yak You won't believe how low Lake Maumelle is right now. The old highway 10 in no longer submerged. #Drought #LakeMaumelle #Weather #Arkansas ♬ original sound - Todd The Yak
Todd stood on the old highway, which he said had been submerged for decades after the lake was flooded during the 1950s.
The highway's reach across the depleted reservoir is apparent in a second exposed stretch in the distance, which the creator pointed out.
"This is the first time many of us have ever seen this in our lifetime,the old Highway 10," he said.
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More background
Despite the road's years underwater, one commenter noticed that a marking remained visible.
"It's wild to me that you can still see the line on the road," they wrote.
Another commenter shared a personal connection to the landscape: "I remember this when I was a kid."
Other commenters pointed to the area's history. One said there were "supposedly homes" buried deep down. The Lonoke Arkansas Research (@ifisaysojack) TikTok account pointed to much more than that.
"The rural settlement flooded by Lake Maumelle was diverse, and Black families owned farms, homes, and community institutions there for generations before the dam was built," the account wrote.
The retreating water also raised concerns about Lake Maumelle's role as a drinking-water source, as another commenter noted.
What can be done?
Severe drought can threaten public health by limiting access to water, while strained supplies can create additional safety challenges for communities. The consequences extend to livelihoods, too, as people and businesses that depend on reliable water access face threats to their economic stability.
Todd didn't dive too deep into what could be done, short of more rain alleviating the drought. After surveying the scene, the creator returned to the question of refilling Lake Maumelle.
"It is going to take so long to fill this thing back up," he reflected.
Where can I learn more?
Falling water levels have uncovered submerged roads and other landscapes well beyond Lake Maumelle.
• In Czechia, drought exposed roads and a lost river crossing beneath the Orlík reservoir.
• Across the American West, drying lakes are exposing toxic barrels and ghost towns.
• In North Carolina, a resident filmed from Lake Townsend's exposed lakebed amid drought.
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