Exploring Washington’s mysterious disappearing lake | Oregon Field Guide

South Prairie is a mysterious lake in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest that appears each spring and disappears each summer. We set out with a Forest Service botanist to paddle and hike this geologic wonder to try and learn what's behind this phenomenon. The prairie is home to the world's largest-known population of a rare iris and some of the farthest west aspen groves in Washington.

This story originally aired on Nov. 14, 2013.

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