During the 1950's, a portion of the Killbuck Creek flood plain stretching for one and a quarter miles was mined for sand and gravel. The resulting excavation filled with water, resulting in two lakes connected by a short channel. The lakes are fed by ground water and a small stream (Shady Run) and empty into Killbuck Creek via a spillway at the south end. Now part of Anderson's Shadyside Park, the lakes are surrounded by a paved foot path 2.65 miles in length. Totaling 63 acres, the lakes are home to a year-around population of Mallards, Canada Geese, domestic ducks and geese, as well as a transient population of geese and ducks of many kinds.
Although the lakes are more than 50 feet deep in many places, the water is over enriched by the large population of water fowl, resulting in an abundance of algae and low oxygen levels. In spite of this, fish are plentiful as the presence of many anglers testifies. The domestic species, and to a lesser extent the Mallards and Canada Geese have become proficient beggars and many people feed them bread in the mistaken belief that they are helping them. These behaviors by birds and humans alike lead to the over population and pollution.
During the winter, when ice forms on the lakes, all species of water fowl flock together and work actively to keep a small area of one lake open and free of ice. They are successful in all but the coldest of winters. This open area provides them with a safe place to sleep and some food sources. On those rare occasions when they fail to keep an opening, those who can, migrate away to return as soon as the ice opens. On winter days, the Canada Goose population leaves early in the morning to feed in farm fields surrounding the city. They return in late afternoon with much circling, wheeling, and honking.
