“Flooded” to Plumbed: Draining Lake Cairo, 1903–1913

In a Special Issue on Place-Based History of the Agricultural History Journal published by Duke University Press.

This article explores the transformation of Lake Cairo in Hamilton County, Iowa, from a natural wetland to agricultural land between 1903 and 1913. Through the lens of place-based history and deep mapping, it examines the ecological, social, and political factors driving the drainage of Lake Cairo with a special focus on the various systems at work on the land. The research highlights the role of local government, federal policies, and agricultural practices in reshaping the prairie wetlands of the North American Prairie Pothole Region. By analyzing historical documents, engineering reports, and environmental data, the study reveals the long-term impacts of drainage on the landscape and community. It underscores the concept of “slow violence” in environmental change, where gradual, often unnoticed alterations have profound effects over time.

Click here to access the article. (View the article for free until April 2026 with this link.)