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Draining the Great Oasis

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Written by Nick Demuth

Draining the Great Oasis: An Environmental History
Presented by Janet Timmerman as part of our 2020–2021 Virtual Lunchbox Lecture Series, this lecture explores one of Murray County’s most enduring and impactful stories.

Discover how a network of lakes known as the Great Oasis—spanning over 6,000 acres—was transformed into farmland in the early 20th century. Completed in 1913, the drainage project dramatically reshaped the local landscape, and its environmental impact is still felt today.

Based on research from Janet Timmerman’s 2001 book Draining the Great Oasis: An Environmental History of Murray County, this program has been shared at conferences, community events, and through the Lake Shetek Road Scholar Program. In this recorded version, Timmerman offers updated insights and expanded visuals.

This virtual lecture remains available online so you can enjoy it at your convenience, right from home.

Check out the video below!

2025 Murray County Historical Society