The Mudhole

The Mudhole is a shallow, silty lake in the South-Eastern region of Scrimpt near the Button outpost in Scrimpt .

Geography

The Mudhole is very roughly a lopsided trapezoid around 12 miles on the longest side, the edge along the seam  between Scrimpt and Torn Lofte, with the short sides between 3 and 5 miles. It is fed by a small, unnamed river from Torn Lofte, resulting in a waterfall near the middle of the longest edge. The lake covers the former trade road between Obu in Scrimpt the patch that Torn Lofte displaced with really deserves a name, doesn't it?

The shallow basin that now forms the lakebed results in a shallow overall depth, rarely more than eight feet deep, and many small islands resulting from ridges and hills poking above the water level. Like the shore around the lake, plants on these islands are enjoying a strong growth thanks to the newly abundant fresh water. Birds, insects, and small animals living on the islands are also benefiting from the water, but most of the larger animals have left for the larger open territory of the shores and surrounding area.

Ecosystem

The lake is very shallow, with most of it being eight feet or less, with a few exceptions over former arroyos and gullies. The shorelines are mostly very shallow out to at least a few hundred yards or so. The water itself is fresh, but very silty, as the sandy soil of a shallow basin in the Scrimpt chaparral has been shaken up by the flooding. Based on other patches, the influx of water should equalize within one or two years of Torn Lofte's appearance, even without an outflow. (See the details for patches for details.)
Currently the only native fish species in the lake are a type of freshwater catfish. Birds and other animals in the local area have already adapted to using it as a water source, even with the high concentration of silt. The plants that have been covered by the influx of water have mostly died, but those near the shores have been doing well, and a bit of a green belt is starting to form near the shores, although the exact extent of this will change as the lake itself stabilizes.

History

The Mudhole was formed after Torn Lofte appeared on the border of Scrimpt resulting in a thus far unnamed small river flowing into a shallow basin in the scrubland area.

Location	Scrimpt near Button
Type	Endorheic basin
Primary Inflow	Small unnamed river from Torn Lofte
Primary Outflow	None
Area	65 square miles (5,165 acres)

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Surface Area	65 square miles (5,165 acres)
Max. Depth	20 ft
Water Volume	51,644 acre-ft

Type

Lake

Location under

Scrimpt