2026 Summer Manhole Cover Challenge Gallery

Every cover tells a story — and each photo below is a snapshot into the hidden infrastructure that keeps our cities running strong. Thank you to everyone who has joined our 2026 Summer Manhole Cover Challenge!

Explore the gallery, discover unique designs from around the world, and help us celebrate the unseen world beneath our feet.

Bruges, Belgium

This submission from Bruges, Belgium showcases the city’s iconic emblem.
Submitted by: William Langer
Company: Tnemec Company Inc. (retired)

Orlando, Florida

Another magical find in Walk Disney World’s EPCOT Park!
Submitted by: Kevin Young
Company: Hazen and Sawyer

Jacksonville Beach, Florida

Epoxied interiors and casting resets/replacements up top!
Submitted by: Chase Peavler
Company: BLD Services, LLC.

Columbus, Ohio

This manhole cover is from Columbus, Ohio and features a ship and tall mast!
Submitted by: Lisa Downing
Company: N/A

Omaha, Nebraska

A submission from Omaha, Nebraska depicts a sunset and detailed artwork on the manhole cover.
Submitted by: Mongan Painting

Lincoln, Nebraska

This submission from Lincoln, Nebraska features a fish design.
Submitted by: Stephanie Emry
Company: LPS

Waco, Texas

From the city of Waco, Texas, this manhole cover was spotted during a site visit!
Submitted by: Mongan Painting
Spotted in KCMO featuring a fuzzy friend. Submitted by: Shiloh Scott Company: Tnemec

Kansas City, Missouri

Spotted in KCMO featuring a fuzzy friend.
Submitted by: Shiloh Scott
Company: Tnemec Company, Inc.

Licking County, Ohio

This submission features a sunset over the wheat fields of O-H-I-O, located in Licking County.
Submitted by: Chase Peavler
Company: BLD Services, LLC.

Hot Springs, Arkansas

A submission from Hot Springs, Arkansas, home of the Hot Springs National Park or “The American Spa”, details an intricate fish design.
Submitted by: Mongan Painting

Branson, Missouri

Taken at Big Cedar Lodge in Branson, Missouri, this manhole shows pays homage to the Ozarks and nearby Springfield.
Submitted by: Leyton Peavler
Company: BLD Services, LLC

Lincoln, Nebraska

This submission features the Nebraska’s Capital building and was found in Lincoln, Nebraska. Home of the Cornhuskers.
Submitted by: Stephanie, Emry
Company: LPS

Bryan, Texas

Manhole covers are a part of everyday infrastructure and this submission from Bryan; Texas showcases a unique fish design from a site visit.
Submitted by: Anna Breen
Company: Savy & Sons

Smithville, Missouri

Spotted near Smithville Lake in Missouri this manhole cover was a unique find, where the “S” also symbolized a “2” for this submitters 2-year-old.
Submitted by: Austin McKahan
Company: Tnemec Company, Inc.
This manhole is a custom art piece designed by Nancy Blum to celebrate the city's power utility. The flowers represent the city, and the geometric pattern in the background represents the electric grid. Submitted by: Lacey Liddicoat Company: Tnemec

Seattle, Washington

This manhole is a custom art piece designed by Nancy Blum to celebrate the city's power utility. The flowers represent the city, and the geometric pattern in the background represents the electric grid.
Submitted by: Lacey Liddicoat
Company: Tnemec Company, Inc.
The large “S” on this manhole cover pays homage to the Shoshone Falls located in Twin Falls, Idaho. Spanning almost 900 feet wide and 212 feet tall, the Shoshone Falls are famously known as the “Niagara Falls of the West". Submitted by: Cassie Rabbe Company: Tnemec

Twin Falls, Idaho

The large “S” on this manhole cover pays homage to the Shoshone Falls located in Twin Falls, Idaho. Spanning almost 900 feet wide and 212 feet tall, the Shoshone Falls are famously known as the “Niagara Falls of the West”.
Submitted by: Cassie Rabbe
Company: Tnemec Company, Inc.
Essential infrastructure is easy to overlook until it becomes art. Since the 1980’s Japan has turned ordinary manhole covers into colorful expressions of culture. This submission features Gundam, a popular manga or comic book character. Submitted by: Bill Bailey Company: The Barry Group, LLC

Kofu, Japan

Essential infrastructure is easy to overlook until it becomes art. Since the 1980’s Japan has turned ordinary manhole covers into colorful expressions of culture. This submission features Gundam, a popular manga or comic book character.
Submitted by: Bill Bailey
Company: The Barry Group, LLC
"Nara" in Japanese is associated with the city of Nara, where deer are considered sacred messengers of the gods in the Shinto religion. For centuries, these deer have been revered as symbols of the city's spiritual and cultural heritage. Submitted by: Ally McCasland Company: Eagle Rock Coatings

Nara, Japan

"Nara" in Japanese is associated with the city of Nara, where deer are considered sacred messengers of the gods in the Shinto religion. For centuries, these deer have been revered as symbols of the city's spiritual and cultural heritage.
Submitted by: Ally McCasland
Company: Eagle Rock Coatings

Cortona, Italy

Cortona is one of Italy’s oldest cities, dating back more than 2,000 years. Located in the hills of Tuscany this manhole cover is designed in a rectangular shape to help blend into the city’s cobblestone streets; blending modern infrastructure and century-old charm.
Submitted by: Dustin Keilbey
Company: Midwest Coating Consultants, Inc.

Florence, Italy

Known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florance, Italy is home of European culture, art, science and literature. This manhole cover is designed to blend into the cobblestone, helping preserve the historic character of Italy’s centuries-old streetscape
Submitted by: Dustin Keilbey
Company: Midwest Coating Consultants, Inc.
This submission was found in downtown Naples, Florida. Everyday infrastructure can become art; you just have to look down. Submitted by: Silva Caputi Company: Independent

Naples, Florida

This submission was found in downtown Naples, Florida. Everyday infrastructure can become art; you just have to look down.
Submitted by: Silva Caputi
Company: Independent
This manhole cover located near Miami’s oldest high school, Miami Senior High, founded in 1903. This cover celebrates the vibrant city with a nod to South Florida’s iconic royal palm tree. Submitted by: Marta Domenech Company: Retired

Miami, Florida

This manhole cover located near Miami’s oldest high school, Miami Senior High, founded in 1903. This cover celebrates the vibrant city with a nod to South Florida’s iconic royal palm tree.
Submitted by: Marta Domenech
Company: Retired

Carpentersville, Illinois

Not all manhole covers have unique designs, but these essential infrastructures are built to keep communities functioning.
Submitted by: Ed Hardt
Company: Hardt

Sardinia, Italy

Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean, known for its clear waters and beaches.
Submitted by: Dustin Keilbey
Company: Midwest Coating Consultants, Inc.

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Located in the capital of Minnesota, this cover shows how wastewater flows from various streams to one central treatment plant.
Submitted by: Braxton Ball
Company: Fresh Blast

North Las Vegas, Nevada

This submission gives a small glimpse into what Epoxytec does best. Epoxytec's protective coatings work beneath the surface manhole covers, helping safeguard extensive networks of tunnels, pipes, and collection systems that keep communities running every day.
Submitted by: Tug Ferguson
Company: Southwest Coating Specialists

Lisbon, Portugal

This submission from Lisbon, Portugal, features the city's historic coat of arms, a centuries-old heraldic emblem depicting a sailing ship flanked by two ravens, symbolizing the legend of Lisbon's patron saint, São Vicente (Saint Vincent)
Submitted by: Ashley Grotewiel
Company: Tnemec Company, Inc.

Lisbon, Portugal

Another submission from Lisbon, showcasing the intricate cobblestone streets throughout the city, reflecting the city’s rich history and distinctive character.
Submitted by: Ashley Grotewiel
Company: Tnemec Company, Inc.

Hutchinson, Kansas

The Cosmosphere is one of the U.S. best Space and Science museums. This decorative manhole cover was designed to inspire young people to explore the wonders of space and science while encouraging curiosity and learning.
Submitted by: Laura Burton
Company: Tnemec Company, Inc.

Tokyo, Japan

Japan takes an "infrastructure as art" approach to something as ordinary as manhole covers. This intricate floral design transforms a functional piece of street infrastructure into a work of public art, blending beautifully into the everyday streetscape.
Submitted by: Jenny Holmes

Twin Falls, Idaho

Description: Furry friends can join the Summer Manhole Cover Challenge, too! Turns out manhole cover hunting is even better with a four-legged co-pilot! Check out this submission making infrastructure exploration more fun on their daily walk.
Submitted by: Cassie Rabbe
Company: Tnemec Company, Inc.

Orlando, Florida

Description: This manhole cover, found at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios, is inspired by the classic Star Wars films. Its futurist, galactic design blends into the immersive theming of the park’s Star Wars attractions.
Submitted by: Heather Coburn
Company: Wright-Pierce

Worcester, Massachusetts

This manhole cover is part of the Worcester EcoTarium's City Science: The Science You Live exhibit, which highlights the hidden systems and networks that keep our communities running every day. Visitors, especially children, can step "underground" into a full-scale replica manhole to explore how wastewater infrastructure works. The exhibit provides an engaging, hands-on way to learn about civil engineering and the essential role that underground utility systems play in modern city life.
Submitted by: Amanda Jacques
Company: Wright-Pierce

Manitou Springs, Colorado

Located approximately 6,400 feet above sea level, this manhole cover was spotted in Manitou Springs, Colorado, home of Pikes Peak and the Manitou Incline.
Submitted by: Stephanie Emry
Company: LPS

Savannah, Georgia

This manhole cover was supplied by Epoxytec applicator, Select Precast. A Tnemec Technical Service Assistant was onsite in Savannah, Georgia, alongside local representatives to support the installation process and help ensure the infrastructure is protected and built to last with Epoxytec coatings.
Submitted by: Leon Hosier
Company: Tnemec Company, Inc.

San Antonio, Texas

This submission was discovered along the Apache Creek Greenway trail in San Antonio, Texas. This manhole cover features the iconic Texas Star in the center!
Submitted by: David Vargas
Company: Trihydro Corporation

New York City, New York

The New York sewer system contains roughly 6,600 miles of pipes. The original sewer system was laid in 1853, and some of the piping remains in use today.
Submitted by: Clif McDonald
Company: Tnemec Company, Inc.

Costa Rica, Caribbean

A manhole cover was spotted in Costa Rica, which is one of the few countries in Latin America and the Caribbean where you can drink water straight from the tap.
Submitted by: Brittany, Ahlgrimm
Company: Coating Resources, Inc.

Orlando, Florida

Spotted at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida: this manhole cover stood out with its distinctive circular design. It's a great example of how even everyday infrastructure can feature creative details that blend functionality with visual appeal.
Submitted by: Kevin Young
Company: Hazen and Sawyer

Orlando, Florida

Walk Disney World is home to several iconic theme parks, including EPCOT. Beyond the attractions, shows and immersive experiences, these parks also rely on essential infrastructures seen here!
Submitted by: Kevin Young
Company: Hazen and Sawyer

St. Augustine, Florida

This submission is from the oldest city in the United States, St. Augustine, Florida. The city was originally founded by the Spanish in 1565 and is recognized by a distinctive black and white spiral white house.
Submitted by: Kristin Huenefeldt
Company: Tnemec Company, Inc.

Annapolis, Maryland

Found outside of the James Senate Building, originally constructed in 1938 and home to the Maryland Senate, this manhole cover was photographed in Annapolis Maryland.
Submitted by: Amy Bury
Company: Tnemec Company, Inc.

Budapest, Hungary

An ornate cover from the Buda side of Budapest, Hungary, showcasing the city’s craftsmanship and design. Everyday infrastructure reflects Budapest’s rich architectural heritage.
Submitted by: William Langer
Company: Retired

Maricopa, Arizona

Tortoise Bruce from Maricopa, Arizona found this cover from the 12th fastest growing municipality in the country and 2nd fastest growing in Arizona.
Submitted by: Jeff Nielsen
Company: Southwest Coating Specialists

Spokane, Washington

A manhole cover spotted in Spokane, Washington, features a special design commemorating Expo '74; The world's first environmentally themed World's Fair. Its intricate artwork celebrates the city's unique character, natural beauty, and iconic skyline, serving as a lasting tribute to the event that helped shape modern Spokane.
Submitted by: Rolf Goetzinger
Company: Artistbrothers

Plant City, Florida

Spotted in Plant City, Florida, this manhole cover represents the city's history for its vibrant train stations. This cowboy was mesmerized with the cool design of this essential infrastructure.
Submitted by: Tonya Dubose
Company: EcoShield

Kansas City, Missouri

Located in Kansas City’s Plaza these manhole covers represent the city of fountains and keeping water both clean and safe in the city.
Submitted by: Teri Jordan
Company: Tnemec Company, Inc.

Kansas City, Missouri

Manhole in the heart of KCMO with the city connect logo!
Submitted by: Samantha Morse
Company: Tnemec Company, Inc.

Omaha, Nebraska

This manhole cover was found outside the infamous Nebraska Furniture Mart in Omaha, Nebraska.
Submitted by: Jaden Ferguson
Company: Tnemec Company, Inc

Think you have the perfect shot? Submissions close July 31 — share yours today and join the challenge.

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