Canadian 'emoji' lake vanishes after dramatic, landslide-like collapse — Earth from space
By Harry Baker
Published on May 5, 2026.
Satellite photos show a Canadian lake that completely drained after its bank suddenly collapsed, causing its entire water supply to flow outward in a violent torrent known as an "outburst flood". The area surrounding Lake Rouge was heavily impacted by wildfires and deforestation, leading to less stable soil and increased pressure on the banks. The sediment in the water quickly spread throughout Doda Lake, turning the larger body of water into a massive, muddy puddle. The nearby community of Indigenous people discovered the lake had been completely emptied after finding a trail of mud and dead fish on a nearby logging road. Experts believe it is rare to see an outburst flood in anything other than glacial lakes or human-made reservoirs.
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