Pay Phone, Parking Boot, Guns Found In Drained Echo Park Lake

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — It may not have been the most storied body of water in Los Angeles, but the lake in Echo Park certainly had its share of underwater stories to tell.

After the lake was drained in September, officials have found a variety of unexpected items including a parking enforcement boot, a pay phone and even two guns were found after water in the 13-acre lake receded.

The drainage is part of a two-year, nearly $65 million makeover project of the lake and the surrounding park area.

Tons of sludge will be hauled away from the site in coming weeks and the lake bottom will be sealed with a leak-proof clay liner.

All fish were relocated to the lake in MacArthur Park, while dozens of turtles have been put up for adoption.

The lake was originally intended to serve as a reservoir when it was first used to siphon off water from the Los Angeles River in 1868.

It wasn't until over a decade later that private speculators came along and eventually worked with the city to turn the reservoir into a full-blown park.