By Kaj O'Mara, Meteorologist, KCRG-TV9

When the Army Corps of Engineers warned that the Coralville Lake may overtop the spillway for the second time in history, I wanted to make sure and take some pictures this time around and share them with our viewers.

In 1993, I was 8 years old when the Coralville Lake rolled over the emergency spillway for the first time in history.  Growing up 2 miles south of the lake, It was a very memorable event and incredible Earth history was uncovered which we now know as the Devonian Fossil Gorge.  I wish at that time, some before and after pictures were taken, but my family and I didn't think to get "before" pictures until it was too late.

The day before the water began spilling over this time around, I took quite a few pictures from different angles at the fossil gorge area.  The area was quite busy, so there is a decent amount of people in some pictures.  I have put 5 of the best "before" pictures on the left side of this article.  The small images are 300 x 200 resolution, but I also produced big versions at 1600 x 1200 resolution in case you would like to make one as a background, or would just like to see some better detail.  The right hand side of the article are the "after" pictures, hopefully from the same or similar angles as I took 3 weeks ago so you can see the difference in the overall look.  Again, the small ones are 300 x 200, and the big ones are 1600 x 1200.  There are a few fossil pictures as well.  I however, am not qualified to name exactly what these fossils are, what their exact age is, or what the exact environment was during this time period. 

The new record high at the Coralville Lake is a stage of 717.02 Ft. set June 15, 2008, which is 5.02 feet above the emergency spillway.  Thousands of pounds of force flowed through the area. 

If you want to see some fantastic Earth history up close and personal, look no further than the newly polished Devonian Fossil Gorge.

**Click on the pictures for a bigger version, all pictures should work now**