Spikes found embedded in lake

SEATTLE – The discovery of nearly 50 metal spikes buried underwater – with the sharp ends sticking up – along the shoreline of Green Lake has alarmed Seattle residents and prompted a police investigation.

On Thursday, Seattle police divers combed the shores again but found no additional spikes, Officer Rene De Witt said.

“We’re horrified, because we can’t think of any reason anyone would have placed these except to hurt people,” said Dewey Potter, a spokeswoman for the city’s parks department.

On Sunday, Patrick Boltz was wading in the lake with his wife and 18-month-old daughter when he felt something cut his foot. It was one of the spikes. He yanked out 10 spikes and then alerted the parks department.

Boltz, who has worked in construction, said the rods were about a quarter-inch thick and the tips looked as if they had been sharpened.

Witt said police are investigating. She said it appears the spikes have been in the lake for some time based on their corrosion.

The spikes were found near the small craft area, where kayaks and small sailing crafts launch. The spikes were between one and two feet long, Potter said.