Nathan Benderson Park Live Cam
Previously known as North Metro Park and Cooper Creek Park
Origins of the Man-Made Reservoir and Early Land Use
What is today known as Nathan Benderson Park began as a series of clay-mining operations in the late 20th century. The hard-packed marl and kaolinite-rich soils made the tract around 760 acres attractive for extraction, creating a large pit once the overburden was removed. Over time, groundwater seepage and controlled inflows from local drainage canals transformed the excavation site into a deep, calm body of water. The basin’s design prioritized uniform depth—reaching 12 feet at its deepest points—to ensure consistent wave propagation during competitive rowing events and to facilitate dredging maintenance.
