California’s Black Hole: Why Does It Happen?

Known as California’s black hole, or glory hole, this fabulous place is located at the Monticello Dam, located on Lake Berryessa, north of San Francisco, United States. Many times it has been the news for the dead and human remains that have been found in the place.

There are many video captures that  show how the supposed black hole in California is swallowing a lake. The phenomenon is spectacular, to the point where it seems supernatural. But what is causing this event? Is it true or is it a well done montage?

The background to the glory hole

The Berryesa Valley was a prosperous agricultural territory, with the most fertile soils in the North American nation. However, the city of Monticello had to be evicted to make way for the dam, a mega-project that would be built between 1953 and 1958.

The project was known as the Solano Project and linked the Monticello Dam, Lake Berryessa, Lake Solano and an extensive water distribution network. Although the residents of this region opposed its construction, they were eventually expelled from their homes.

Many of their belongings were auctioned, their houses destroyed and  fertile land disappeared amid the announced flood. The authorities made a commitment with the population to relocate the cemetery.

The interest in building a reservoir was evident since 1900, which is why several engineers had concluded that this area had the greatest potential since 1907. The discovery of gold in its surroundings led to a massive influx of prospectors.

All of this resulted in ever-increasing water requirements in Solano County to meet its needs. Finally, the decision was made that it would be in a place known as “the devil’s gate” where the dam would be built. This happened in 1940.

Local residents speak of the dam with some fear and mention a sinister presence that lurks in the background, although they do not speak of California’s black hole. They only refer to the large number of disappeared and drowned in recent years.

Between myth and reality

Assuming that these disappearances are real, the population elaborates different stories in which the versions differ. Some believe that the drownings are the result of the irresponsibility of vacationers who get drunk and then decide to swim in the lake.

Meanwhile, others think that the human remains that are discovered come from the cemetery that existed and that was never relocated, as the authorities had promised. Finally, some leave the possibility open that it is something evil that lives in the lake, but they do not refer to the California black hole as the possible culprit.

However, on these versions there is no reliable documentation that supports them. On what there is reliable information is on the case known as “the murderer of the zodiac.” Apparently, it was an unbalanced person who had a habit of killing his victims on the banks of the lake and then denouncing himself to the authorities as the perpetrator.

Despite tracking this serial killer since 1969, the authorities never managed to catch him. Facts like this add to current events to create an enigmatic atmosphere, attracting the attention of people from all over.

The Truth About California’s Black Hole

What at one point appeared to be a geological fault or, as some thought, a portal to another dimension, turned out to be a kind of siphon that the Monticello dam presents. This structure was conceived from the beginning of its construction and fulfills the function of controlling the water level when it exceeds its limit.

In other words, the dam has a specific water storage capacity; however, during the rainy season, its level rises. To prevent an overflow, the excess water is diverted towards this drain to be taken to other spaces.

This monumental concrete structure is 22 meters in diameter and 100 meters deep. The drain is activated only when the water level exceeds 134 meters deep and is capable of swallowing 1.3 million liters of water per second. So the California black hole does exist, but it is not what many suppose.

This is what the videos show – made with drones – and that went viral during the month of February 2019 . Faced with so many extravagant events for which there is no convincing explanation, this event undoubtedly ended up being a great disappointment. The supposed black hole in California was not a black hole as such, but a work of engineering.

Other facts about the California black hole

Despite all the above, the admiration and fear that this type of man-made works arouse is undeniable, in the face of which there is no other option but to be overwhelmed. At this point, it is worth clarifying that some of the images and videos that have been disseminated on this site are faked.

It is unusual for this sink to become active; in fact, in recent years it has only happened in 2012 and 2019. This occurs because the water level is required to grow exponentially, which only happens in atypical winter seasons, when it rains more than expected.

Likewise, it is true that in this region there have been several tragedies that inspire the imagination of the people, such as the one that happened in 1997, when a woman swimming in the lake was dragged down the supposed black hole of California and died.

What is paradoxical about this story is that the people who live in the surroundings of the place think that the so-called black hole of California is a completely normal place. Meanwhile, visitors find it supernatural.