Wildpath documented a rare drawdown of the reservoir, when water levels were lowered and the river channel, drowned springs, and ghost forest became visible for the first time in decades. This glimpse beneath the reservoir revealed the ecological and cultural significance of what had been lost—and what could be restored.

We partnered with Jason Gulley, a National Geographic Society Explorer and photographer, whose images captured the river, wildlife, and ghost forest, and connected this work with environmental journalist Cynthia Barnett to create a feature digital story in National Geographic.