Social media users were left confused by the 75-foot-wide “portal of hell” that opened and created the spectacular swirling vortex effect, amazing people passing by
The hole is an overflow of Lake Berryessa, which occurs when the water level is outside a certain height in the reservoir (
Image: Getty Images / iStockphoto)
A strange “portal of hell” opened into a lake with a strange rotating vortex effect.
The giant 75-foot-wide hole came after water levels in Lake Beriesa’s reservoir in eastern Napa Valley, on top of California’s Monticello Dam, became too high.
Excess water can swirl in a huge hole and create a spectacular rotating vortex effect, reports Express.
The hole was again seen on the surface of the lake as a 250-foot tunnel that functions as a drainage hole, absorbing about 1,360 cubic meters of water per second when the lake rises more than 15 feet.
In the 1950s, engineers built an overflow as an alternative to the more common gutter used to control the flow of water from a dam or dike.
A drone catches the overflow of Lake Beriesa while overflowing (
Image:
Evan K. / Youtube)
With this in mind, the architects built a drainage-like function in the dam, as it narrows the gap between the rocks where it is located and would leave the gutter with nowhere to go.
Since then, the hole has built a good reputation among the community.
Hundreds of spectators in 2017 came to watch the impressive spectacle since the opening of the “portal”.
Lake Berryessa could hold about 52 billion gallons of water before the surplus began to flow into the spillway (
Image:
Evan K. / Youtube)
Lake Beriesa can hold about 52 billion gallons of water before the surplus begins to flow into the spillway.
The lake reached full capacity for the first time in 11 years in 2018.
However, it reopened in 2019 after a season of heavy rainfall, attracting thousands of curious onlookers.
Today, the hole is no longer a safety hazard, as the tank is connected by a rope and prohibits swimming or boating.
However, in 1997, Emily Schwalek died after being caught in the current while rowing in the area, while being swept down the pipe, after holding on to the edge for about 20 minutes.
Social media users are puzzled by the hole (
Image:
express.co.uk)
The footage from the hole went viral since it was published on the social media platform Gfycat in 2018, and was later distributed on Reddit and garnered hundreds of thousands of views.
Some viewers on social media were frightened by the spectacle.
One comment said, “Why is there a giant hole in the middle of the lake where people are swimming, and why is there no rope around?”
75 feet wide hole in the lake (
Image:
express.co.uk)
Another added: “This looks very dangerous.”
And a third said, “That’s where the gate to hell is.”
Like the Gates of Hell in California, a fire pit in Kazakhstan earned a similar nickname in the early 1970s when the ground collapsed during a Soviet gas drilling expedition.
The hole is 20 meters deep and 60 meters (190 feet) wide. It is located in the Karakum Desert, about 160 miles north of the capital Ashgabat.
Read more
A woman died after being swept away by pink stones at a tourist spot popular for Instagram photos
Read more
An incredible shocking moment, a boat full of tourists was “robbed” by whales
Add Comment