• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Incredible 75ft Wide ‘Portal From Hell’ Opens In Lake With A 200ft Drop

Home> News

Updated 09:30 15 Apr 2022 GMT+1Published 09:25 15 Apr 2022 GMT+1

Incredible 75ft Wide ‘Portal From Hell’ Opens In Lake With A 200ft Drop

The spinning vortex once again occurred at Lake Berryessa, the largest lake in Napa County, California

Daisy Phillipson

Daisy Phillipson

A baffling vortex described as a ‘portal from hell’ has opened up in a lake in the US. 

The 75ft-wide spinning vortex once again occurred at Lake Berryessa, the largest lake in Napa County, California.

When the water levels get too high, excess water is sucked into a huge hole, creating the baffling effect known by locals as the ‘Glory Hole’. 

Advert

Think of it like a gigantic bathtub and the vortex is the spinning whirlpool you see in the water when you pull the plug. 

Alamy

As outlined by The Mirror, the hole was once again spotted on the surface of the lake, which happens when water rises above 15ft. 

Prior to this, the hole has opened up before, in 2017 after a bout of heavy rain for the first time since 2006, and again in 2019, which attracted countless curious onlookers. 

Sharing pictures of the phenomenon on Twitter, one woman wrote: “Here’s the glory hole at Lake Berryessa. 

Advert

“It’s about 20 miles from my house. Fun boarding and trout fishing. Even though blocked from boats, still ominous.”

The vortex is due to a huge spillway, which was built as an alternative to the more commonly used chute by engineers in the 1950s to control the flow of water. 

The drain-like feature is situated near the dam on the southeast side of the reservoir, and is capable of swallowing around 1,360 cubic metres of water (48,000 cubic feet) per second when it’s over capacity. 

In 2017, many spectators visited the area to see the so-called Glory Hole, which drops straight down more than 200ft.

Advert

The reservoir is roped off and prohibits swimming or boating to ensure the safety of visitors. 

Alamy

Before stricter safety measures were in place, in 1997, a woman named Emily Schwalek was killed after being sucked into the vortex. 

Authorities said at the time that witnesses reported seeing Schwalek swimming near the spillway.

It was said that she spent 20 minutes gripping on to the edge of the hole before dropping out of sight. 

Advert

Her body was found several hours later in Lower Putah Creek.

Today, it’s difficult to get close to the Glory Hole at any time due to the barriers put in place. 

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: US News

Daisy Phillipson
Daisy Phillipson

Daisy graduated from Kingston University with a degree in Magazine Journalism, writing a thesis on the move from print to digital publishing. Continuing this theme, she has written for a range of online publications including Digital Spy and Little White Lies, with a particular passion for TV and film. Contact her on [email protected]

X

@DaisyWebb77

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

Just now
an hour ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
  • Just now

    Exact time you should nap for as study shows regular napping slows brain aging by up to six years

    Any excuse for a good nap

    News
  • an hour ago

    'Suicide pod' creator slammed over latest 'kill switch' invention for dementia patients to schedule their future death

    Dr Philip Nitschke has received backlash over the proposal

    News
  • 2 hours ago

    Major update in Air India crash investigation as authorities identify potential cause of plane going down

    The tragedy might have been triggered by an engine problem, according to reports

    News
  • 3 hours ago

    Diddy’s disturbing act as 'freak off' sex tapes were shown in court for the first time

    The 55-year-old viewed the explicit videos privately

    News
  • Donald Trump revealed reason why he's never drunk a drop of alcohol
  • Waitress 'dumped in lake' after confronting group of customers who didn't pay bill
  • Judge threatens to remove Diddy from court for ‘absolutely unacceptable’ conduct
  • ‘Deadliest lake in the world’ has mysterious secret that turns animals to ‘stone’