The Empty Silver Lake Reservoir

Following several weeks of gradual draining by the Department of Water and Power, the Silver Lake Reservoir is now fluid-free. LAist previously reported on the reservoir's contamination of bromate, a carcinogen formed by the combination of bright sunlight, chlorine and natural bromides found in groundwater. Once a shimmering reservoir that held drinking water intended for the central and southern part of the city, the now-empty reservoir is an alien sight for much of the community that uses the area around it for jogging, walks and other recreation. DWP is now cleaning the reservoir which surprisingly is free of a lot of litter and debris that you would come to expect in a highly-trafficked urban setting.