Ologies with Alie Ward

Episode: Haunted Hydrology (SPOOKY LAKES) with Geo Rutherford

Release Date: October 8, 2025
Guest: Geo Rutherford (Artist, Hydrology Communicator, Author of "Spooky Lakes")
Main Theme: A deep dive into the eerie, scientific, and fascinating world of "haunted hydrology"—the spooky science, stories, and ecological mysteries of lakes and other bodies of water.

Episode Overview

In this much-anticipated Spooktober special, Alie welcomes artist, TikTok science star, and haunted hydrology aficionado Geo Rutherford. Together, they unravel the science and stories behind the world’s most mysterious and “spooky” lakes, rivers, and other wet places—from the Salton Sea’s toxic dust to the peculiar fate of shipwrecks in Lake Superior. They demystify why water is both life-giving and death-dealing, blending humor, history, DIY science, and a dash of true crime. The episode also fields oodles of listener questions, spinning out facts that are as chilling as they are fascinating.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Geo Rutherford’s Origin Story

[05:14–06:26] Geo Rutherford introduces herself and her background
- Named ‘Geo’ by a geologist mom—earth science has always been in her DNA.
- Grew up in Colorado before moving to the lake-abundant Midwest, which kindled her obsession with lakes.
- Transitioned from an artist and teacher to a full-time hydrology storyteller through viral TikToks.
Quote:
“My mom is a geologist with a bad sense of humor…but I’ve always gone by Geo.” —Geo Rutherford [05:14]

2. Lake, Reservoir, Pond, Bog—What’s the Difference?

[06:01–09:19]
- Reservoirs are human-made (often river-dammed), ponds are just small lakes with blurry definitions.
- Saline “seas” like the Caspian and Salton are technically lakes due to no ocean connection.
- Most lakes eventually die—filled by sediment, they transform into bogs or fens.
Fun fact: Bogs can mummify bodies due to their low temp and acidity.
Quote:
“Most lakes in the world die because of evaporation or drought. Rivers bring in sediment… you end up with a bog or a fen.” —Geo Rutherford [08:39]

3. From Art to Spooky Lake Science

[10:40–13:14]
- Geo weaves her artist’s curiosity into scientific exploration, starting with collecting shoreline “artifacts” and researching their origins.
- Pandemic TikToks go viral, especially when viewers argue in comments (“That’s how you go viral on the internet”).
Quote:
“Make everybody really mad…and that’s how you go viral!” —Geo Rutherford [12:40]

4. How Spooky Lake Month was Born

[13:14–14:40]
- She invents “Spooky Lake Month”—daily videos researched in real time, fueled by coffee and deadline pressure.
Behind-the-scenes: Not as planned as it appears; she thrives under last-minute inspiration.

5. The Creepy Side of Water

[15:24–18:34]
- Personal near-drowning story that anchors Geo’s respect for water’s power.
- Some requested topics (e.g., uranium tailings in Navajo Nation) are too tragic to always cover fully.
Quote:
“Water is a killer. There are topics that are too much, and I don't cover them, even though people ask for them.” —Geo Rutherford [15:30]

6. Bodies of Water: What Makes Them Spooky?

[18:09–18:59]
- The unknown below the surface evokes innate human fear.
- Submechanophobia: Fear of submerged man-made objects.
Quote:
“Every lake has the potential to be spooky. You don’t know what’s beneath the surface…could be someone who disappeared, you’ll never know.” —Geo Rutherford [18:34]

7. Case Studies in Spooky Lakes:

Lake Tahoe

[19:48–22:43]
- Over 2 million years old, second-deepest in U.S.
- Cold freshwater preserves bodies by turning them into ‘soap’ (adipocere formation).
- Shipwrecks yet to be found; sudden storms add danger.
Quote:
“There is something that happens at the bottom of these cold freshwater lakes…a body in a cold freshwater lake essentially becomes just a giant bar of soap.” —Geo Rutherford [21:26]

Salton Sea

[23:02–27:29]
- Created by “big water oopsie” (flooded by mistake in 1905).
- Now evaporating, leaving behind toxins, arsenic, and immense dust—a public health crisis for locals.
- 97% of fish gone due to salinity and pollution; only extremophile fish like the pupfish hang on.
Quote:
“People are breathing in these agricultural toxins...That's how you get these huge cancer rates that spike in the Salton Sea...they're years ahead in Kazakhstan's Aral Sea.” —Geo Rutherford [25:00]

Brine Pools (Underwater Lakes)

[37:28–39:59]
- Extremely saline, anoxic underwater ponds—preserve dead sea creatures, some called ‘Goo Lagoons’.
- “Pickle” anything that falls in.
Quote:
“Brine pools are extra spooky...they’re pickled in these brine pools…a Jacuzzi of despair.” —Geo Rutherford/Alie Ward [38:03, 39:45]

Boiling River (Peru)

[42:11–43:38]
- Naturally boiling—scalding hot but chemically pure thanks to local geology.
- Used for morning tea by locals and visiting scientists.

Devil’s Hole Pupfish and Rio Tinto

[48:52–50:39]
- Pupfish: tiny survivor species in isolated, hostile desert springs.
- Rio Tinto in Spain: toxic, blood-red from millennia of copper mining; NASA studies extremophiles there.

Old Man of Crater Lake

[52:37–54:52]
- Floating ghost log that’s migrated for over a century; subject of local legends.

Lake Baikal (Siberia)

[54:59–59:08]
- Oldest and deepest lake (~25 million years/5387 ft deep), continual tectonic activity.
- 80% of its species are endemic, including the adorable Baikal nerpa seal.
- Once had a channel connecting it to the sea.
Quote:
“Lake Baikal is the weirdest lake in the world. It’s the oldest lake in the world….” —Geo Rutherford [55:05]

The Great Lakes—Shipwreck Central

[60:35–65:00]
- 10,000+ shipwrecks due to unique, treacherous wave patterns and sudden icing.
- The tragic November 1975 wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and its song-memory.
Quote:
“Lake Superior gets like the craziest storms...so different and special because it’s so cold and people are shipping there all the way into the winter.” —Geo Rutherford [61:22]

8. Towns Beneath Reservoirs: America’s Sunken Atlanteans

[66:44–71:22]
- Many US 'lakes’ (esp. Lake Lanier, Lake Mead) are towns submerged for dam projects—sometimes with cemeteries and entire histories left behind.
- As lake levels drop, secrets—sometimes macabre—re-emerge.
- China’s Kaindo Lake: an entire thousand-year-old city, perfectly preserved underwater.
Quote:
“There’s kind of this idea that we’re submerging these entire histories underneath the water.” —Geo Rutherford [67:00]

9. Earth’s Ultimate Haunted Lake: Lake Nyos (Cameroon)

[73:31–77:15]
- The gold standard for deadly lakes: In 1984 a limnic eruption released a "burp" of CO2 that suffocated over 1,800 people and countless animals overnight.
- Lake Kivu in Africa is exponentially bigger and sits beside millions of people—prime candidate for a future catastrophe.
Quote:
“The ultimate spooky lake that...wins unfortunate award of being an actual killer is Lake Nyos...a lake that could actually do the killing.” —Geo Rutherford [73:31]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On spooky potential:
“Every lake gets to have a chance on the starlight of being a spooky lake.” —Geo Rutherford [18:34]
On Spooky Lake Month:
“I work my best under pressure and knowing that people are waiting for a 7pm post central time—that works for me.” —Geo Rutherford [14:04]
On submerged towns:
“Supposedly, they're supposed to move the graves and relocate these towns and the dead. But they don't necessarily always do that.” —Geo Rutherford [67:00]
On Baikal nerpa seals: “We have no idea how they got there. They've been there for some 2 million years. They've evolved to live at Lake Baikal and luckily their population is doing well.” —Geo Rutherford [58:41]
On Lake Nyos:
“This is called a limnic eruption...It's my favorite horror story, essentially, of what a lake has the potential to do.” —Geo Rutherford [73:44]
On favorite dream trip:
“I want to go to Lake Baikal...If anybody’s listening and they go to Lake Baikal for scientific reasons, then take me with you, please.” —Geo Rutherford [77:25]

Listener Questions (Timestamps indicate start of relevant Q&A)

[37:28] — Brine pools: What are they, and why are they spooky?
[40:09] — Spooky rivers, boiling rivers, and urban flooding: Not just lakes!
[44:34] — Colorful lakes: Why are lakes pink, blue, red, and where does flamingo color come in?
[48:52] — Pupfish and extremophiles: What makes desert pupfish so cool?
[51:00] — Most dazzling/spookiest lakes Geo’s seen in person
[52:34] — Crater Lake/“Old Man of the Lake” (ghostly log, changing colors from tourist trash)
[54:59] — Lake Baikal: Oldest, deepest, unique wildlife
[60:54] — Why so many shipwrecks on the Great Lakes?
[66:44] — Sunken towns when reservoirs are made
[71:22] — Recursive islands: Islands in lakes on islands in lakes...

Timestamps for Highlighted Segments

Geo’s artist to hydrology communicator journey: [10:40–13:14]
Lake formation and transformation basics: [06:01–09:19]
The science of why lakes preserve bodies: [21:00–21:26]
Salton Sea’s health/ecological crisis: [25:00–27:29]
Brine pools’ deadly allure: [38:03–39:59]
Lake Nyos and limnic eruptions: [73:31–77:15]
Great Lakes shipwreck science & Edmund Fitzgerald: [60:35–65:00]
Baikal’s endemic life: [58:28–59:08]

Episode Tone and Style

The conversation is playful, approachable, and occasionally darkly hilarious, as Alie and Geo riff off spooky science, folklore, and listener enthusiasm. Science is blended with art and emotion—Alie and Geo relish in getting nerdy, being honest about their fears, and inviting the audience to share their curiosity.

Closing Thoughts & Calls to Action

Geo’s artistry and science communication: Makes obscure environmental and geological issues personal, urgent, and memorable.
Nonprofits mentioned: Salton Sea Action Committee, Alliance for the Great Lakes.
Geo’s books and social: Find “Spooky Lakes” and catch her on TikTok—follow for more Spooktober content!

Summary prepared for listeners who crave a blend of scientific rigor, haunted histories, ecological urgency, and the odd delight of lakes that turn people into soap or hide ghostly logs. Expect to walk away with a new respect (and a little fear) for every puddle, pond, and patch of water you see!

Credits:

Host: Alie Ward
Guest: Geo Rutherford
Editing: Jake Chaffee, Mercedes Maitland
Theme: Nick Thorburn
Transcripts/Production: Team as credited in-episode

Wear a life vest—just in case.

Ologies with Alie Ward

Episode: Haunted Hydrology (SPOOKY LAKES) with Geo Rutherford

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Geo Rutherford’s Origin Story

[05:14–06:26] Geo Rutherford introduces herself and her background
- Named ‘Geo’ by a geologist mom—earth science has always been in her DNA.
- Grew up in Colorado before moving to the lake-abundant Midwest, which kindled her obsession with lakes.
- Transitioned from an artist and teacher to a full-time hydrology storyteller through viral TikToks.
Quote:
“My mom is a geologist with a bad sense of humor…but I’ve always gone by Geo.” —Geo Rutherford [05:14]

2. Lake, Reservoir, Pond, Bog—What’s the Difference?

[06:01–09:19]
- Reservoirs are human-made (often river-dammed), ponds are just small lakes with blurry definitions.
- Saline “seas” like the Caspian and Salton are technically lakes due to no ocean connection.
- Most lakes eventually die—filled by sediment, they transform into bogs or fens.
Fun fact: Bogs can mummify bodies due to their low temp and acidity.
Quote:
“Most lakes in the world die because of evaporation or drought. Rivers bring in sediment… you end up with a bog or a fen.” —Geo Rutherford [08:39]

3. From Art to Spooky Lake Science

[10:40–13:14]
- Geo weaves her artist’s curiosity into scientific exploration, starting with collecting shoreline “artifacts” and researching their origins.
- Pandemic TikToks go viral, especially when viewers argue in comments (“That’s how you go viral on the internet”).
Quote:
“Make everybody really mad…and that’s how you go viral!” —Geo Rutherford [12:40]

4. How Spooky Lake Month was Born

[13:14–14:40]
- She invents “Spooky Lake Month”—daily videos researched in real time, fueled by coffee and deadline pressure.
Behind-the-scenes: Not as planned as it appears; she thrives under last-minute inspiration.

5. The Creepy Side of Water

[15:24–18:34]
- Personal near-drowning story that anchors Geo’s respect for water’s power.
- Some requested topics (e.g., uranium tailings in Navajo Nation) are too tragic to always cover fully.
Quote:
“Water is a killer. There are topics that are too much, and I don't cover them, even though people ask for them.” —Geo Rutherford [15:30]

6. Bodies of Water: What Makes Them Spooky?

[18:09–18:59]
- The unknown below the surface evokes innate human fear.
- Submechanophobia: Fear of submerged man-made objects.
Quote:
“Every lake has the potential to be spooky. You don’t know what’s beneath the surface…could be someone who disappeared, you’ll never know.” —Geo Rutherford [18:34]

7. Case Studies in Spooky Lakes:

Lake Tahoe

[19:48–22:43]
- Over 2 million years old, second-deepest in U.S.
- Cold freshwater preserves bodies by turning them into ‘soap’ (adipocere formation).
- Shipwrecks yet to be found; sudden storms add danger.
Quote:
“There is something that happens at the bottom of these cold freshwater lakes…a body in a cold freshwater lake essentially becomes just a giant bar of soap.” —Geo Rutherford [21:26]

Salton Sea

[23:02–27:29]
- Created by “big water oopsie” (flooded by mistake in 1905).
- Now evaporating, leaving behind toxins, arsenic, and immense dust—a public health crisis for locals.
- 97% of fish gone due to salinity and pollution; only extremophile fish like the pupfish hang on.
Quote:
“People are breathing in these agricultural toxins...That's how you get these huge cancer rates that spike in the Salton Sea...they're years ahead in Kazakhstan's Aral Sea.” —Geo Rutherford [25:00]

Brine Pools (Underwater Lakes)

[37:28–39:59]
- Extremely saline, anoxic underwater ponds—preserve dead sea creatures, some called ‘Goo Lagoons’.
- “Pickle” anything that falls in.
Quote:
“Brine pools are extra spooky...they’re pickled in these brine pools…a Jacuzzi of despair.” —Geo Rutherford/Alie Ward [38:03, 39:45]

Boiling River (Peru)

[42:11–43:38]
- Naturally boiling—scalding hot but chemically pure thanks to local geology.
- Used for morning tea by locals and visiting scientists.

Devil’s Hole Pupfish and Rio Tinto

[48:52–50:39]
- Pupfish: tiny survivor species in isolated, hostile desert springs.
- Rio Tinto in Spain: toxic, blood-red from millennia of copper mining; NASA studies extremophiles there.

Old Man of Crater Lake

[52:37–54:52]
- Floating ghost log that’s migrated for over a century; subject of local legends.

Lake Baikal (Siberia)

[54:59–59:08]
- Oldest and deepest lake (~25 million years/5387 ft deep), continual tectonic activity.
- 80% of its species are endemic, including the adorable Baikal nerpa seal.
- Once had a channel connecting it to the sea.
Quote:
“Lake Baikal is the weirdest lake in the world. It’s the oldest lake in the world….” —Geo Rutherford [55:05]

The Great Lakes—Shipwreck Central

[60:35–65:00]
- 10,000+ shipwrecks due to unique, treacherous wave patterns and sudden icing.
- The tragic November 1975 wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and its song-memory.
Quote:
“Lake Superior gets like the craziest storms...so different and special because it’s so cold and people are shipping there all the way into the winter.” —Geo Rutherford [61:22]

8. Towns Beneath Reservoirs: America’s Sunken Atlanteans

[66:44–71:22]
- Many US 'lakes’ (esp. Lake Lanier, Lake Mead) are towns submerged for dam projects—sometimes with cemeteries and entire histories left behind.
- As lake levels drop, secrets—sometimes macabre—re-emerge.
- China’s Kaindo Lake: an entire thousand-year-old city, perfectly preserved underwater.
Quote:
“There’s kind of this idea that we’re submerging these entire histories underneath the water.” —Geo Rutherford [67:00]

9. Earth’s Ultimate Haunted Lake: Lake Nyos (Cameroon)

[73:31–77:15]
- The gold standard for deadly lakes: In 1984 a limnic eruption released a "burp" of CO2 that suffocated over 1,800 people and countless animals overnight.
- Lake Kivu in Africa is exponentially bigger and sits beside millions of people—prime candidate for a future catastrophe.
Quote:
“The ultimate spooky lake that...wins unfortunate award of being an actual killer is Lake Nyos...a lake that could actually do the killing.” —Geo Rutherford [73:31]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On spooky potential:
“Every lake gets to have a chance on the starlight of being a spooky lake.” —Geo Rutherford [18:34]
On Spooky Lake Month:
“I work my best under pressure and knowing that people are waiting for a 7pm post central time—that works for me.” —Geo Rutherford [14:04]
On submerged towns:
“Supposedly, they're supposed to move the graves and relocate these towns and the dead. But they don't necessarily always do that.” —Geo Rutherford [67:00]
On Baikal nerpa seals: “We have no idea how they got there. They've been there for some 2 million years. They've evolved to live at Lake Baikal and luckily their population is doing well.” —Geo Rutherford [58:41]
On Lake Nyos:
“This is called a limnic eruption...It's my favorite horror story, essentially, of what a lake has the potential to do.” —Geo Rutherford [73:44]
On favorite dream trip:
“I want to go to Lake Baikal...If anybody’s listening and they go to Lake Baikal for scientific reasons, then take me with you, please.” —Geo Rutherford [77:25]

Listener Questions (Timestamps indicate start of relevant Q&A)

[37:28] — Brine pools: What are they, and why are they spooky?
[40:09] — Spooky rivers, boiling rivers, and urban flooding: Not just lakes!
[44:34] — Colorful lakes: Why are lakes pink, blue, red, and where does flamingo color come in?
[48:52] — Pupfish and extremophiles: What makes desert pupfish so cool?
[51:00] — Most dazzling/spookiest lakes Geo’s seen in person
[52:34] — Crater Lake/“Old Man of the Lake” (ghostly log, changing colors from tourist trash)
[54:59] — Lake Baikal: Oldest, deepest, unique wildlife
[60:54] — Why so many shipwrecks on the Great Lakes?
[66:44] — Sunken towns when reservoirs are made
[71:22] — Recursive islands: Islands in lakes on islands in lakes...

Timestamps for Highlighted Segments

Geo’s artist to hydrology communicator journey: [10:40–13:14]
Lake formation and transformation basics: [06:01–09:19]
The science of why lakes preserve bodies: [21:00–21:26]
Salton Sea’s health/ecological crisis: [25:00–27:29]
Brine pools’ deadly allure: [38:03–39:59]
Lake Nyos and limnic eruptions: [73:31–77:15]
Great Lakes shipwreck science & Edmund Fitzgerald: [60:35–65:00]
Baikal’s endemic life: [58:28–59:08]

Episode Tone and Style

Closing Thoughts & Calls to Action

Geo’s artistry and science communication: Makes obscure environmental and geological issues personal, urgent, and memorable.
Nonprofits mentioned: Salton Sea Action Committee, Alliance for the Great Lakes.
Geo’s books and social: Find “Spooky Lakes” and catch her on TikTok—follow for more Spooktober content!

Credits:

Host: Alie Ward
Guest: Geo Rutherford
Editing: Jake Chaffee, Mercedes Maitland
Theme: Nick Thorburn
Transcripts/Production: Team as credited in-episode

Wear a life vest—just in case.

Haunted Hydrology (SPOOKY LAKES) with Geo Rutherford

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Summary

Ologies with Alie Ward

Episode: Haunted Hydrology (SPOOKY LAKES) with Geo Rutherford

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Geo Rutherford’s Origin Story

2. Lake, Reservoir, Pond, Bog—What’s the Difference?

3. From Art to Spooky Lake Science

4. How Spooky Lake Month was Born

5. The Creepy Side of Water

6. Bodies of Water: What Makes Them Spooky?

7. Case Studies in Spooky Lakes:

Lake Tahoe

Salton Sea

Brine Pools (Underwater Lakes)

Boiling River (Peru)

Devil’s Hole Pupfish and Rio Tinto

Old Man of Crater Lake

Lake Baikal (Siberia)

The Great Lakes—Shipwreck Central

8. Towns Beneath Reservoirs: America’s Sunken Atlanteans

9. Earth’s Ultimate Haunted Lake: Lake Nyos (Cameroon)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Listener Questions (Timestamps indicate start of relevant Q&A)

Timestamps for Highlighted Segments

Episode Tone and Style

Closing Thoughts & Calls to Action

Summary

Ologies with Alie Ward

Episode: Haunted Hydrology (SPOOKY LAKES) with Geo Rutherford

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Geo Rutherford’s Origin Story

2. Lake, Reservoir, Pond, Bog—What’s the Difference?

3. From Art to Spooky Lake Science

4. How Spooky Lake Month was Born

5. The Creepy Side of Water

6. Bodies of Water: What Makes Them Spooky?

7. Case Studies in Spooky Lakes:

Lake Tahoe

Salton Sea

Brine Pools (Underwater Lakes)

Boiling River (Peru)

Devil’s Hole Pupfish and Rio Tinto

Old Man of Crater Lake

Lake Baikal (Siberia)

The Great Lakes—Shipwreck Central

8. Towns Beneath Reservoirs: America’s Sunken Atlanteans

9. Earth’s Ultimate Haunted Lake: Lake Nyos (Cameroon)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Listener Questions (Timestamps indicate start of relevant Q&A)

Timestamps for Highlighted Segments

Episode Tone and Style

Closing Thoughts & Calls to Action