Great VoidInexplicable Hole in Lake Defies Nature; Town Welcomes Notoriety

ABC ^ | Jan 19, 2003 | Barbara Pinto

[gitmo]

Smack in the middle of North Long Lake, surrounded by eight miles of ice thick enough to drive on, there is a gaping black hole nearly a half-mile long. It is a lake within a frozen lake — a huge crescent of open water that, for some reason, refuses to freeze over.


Scientists and locals alike are at a loss in explaining a mystery ice hole in a northern Minnesota lake. (AW Research Laboratory)

"I've never seen anything like it," said lakefront resident Joan Rush, standing on her back porch as clouds of steam rose from the hole.

"I don't go out there," she said, "I just stay here and watch."

The hole first appeared last winter, and returned this year.

Since then, more than a dozen snowmobilers have fallen in. One died.

Local authorities ordered an investigation, and have spent $10,000 trying to figure out why this section of the lake seems to defy the forces of nature.

Divers with cameras probed the 20-foot depths looking for currents and seismic activity, but found nothing unusual. A team of scientists have tested for just about everything, but still have no idea what is causing the phenomenon.

"It's uniformly warm from the bottom to the top, surprisingly so. That's what's keeping the lake open," said scientist Alan Cibuzar. "I have never seen anything like this."

Since the black hole opened up last year, it has frozen over only once. Not in sub-zero temperatures, but on a balmy 40-degree day.

Locals' Theories Vary

With every bizarre twist, the mystery grows. So do the theories about how the hole was formed.

At the Sportland Cafe, a combination gas station, diner and convenience store, conversation centers on the mystery.

"It must be some kind of volcanic action," said a waitress topping off a cup of decaf.

"It could be aliens or someone's septic backing up," added a man in coveralls between bites of his waffle.

But Ed Peck, sitting on a swivel stool nearby, doesn't think any of his neighbors' theories hold water. "I think it's a bunch of hooey myself. It's no mystery. We live on an earthquake fault up here. People don't realize that."

Hole Puts Town on the Map

Back out on the lake, bundled up ice fishermen drill holes and tie bobbers in full view of the steaming hole. Other than not venturing too close, most pay no attention to the mist and the open water. "The fishing was never that great here anyway," said one teenage fisherman gripping a bag filled with wriggling minnows.

In the distance, there is the sound of a four-wheeler snowmobile and the unmistakable crunch of tire chains on ice. Ken Rush, 80, pulls into view. His four-wheeler tows a pair of old couches — perches for the curious. Rush has taken on the role of Unofficial Tour Guide and chronicler of the black hole's every move.

"From the other day, it's open further on that end and more frozen at the other end," Rush explained, gesturing widely. "This has put Brainerd on the map."

Local businesses are seizing the notoriety. At a waterfront restaurant called Iven's Restaurant on the Bay, a huge sign announces, "Come sip our Black Hole Martini and view the hole."

The martini is a purplish concoction of vanilla vodka and black Sambuca. In the drink-sized version of the black hole, there is no mystery. The "hole" is a black licorice jellybean bobbing at the bottom of the glass.

[gitmo]

Somebody call Mulder and Skully.

[Cicero]

Ice 9?

[aimhigh]

Local authorities ordered an investigation, and have spent $10,000

What a waste of money!

[Textide]

"It could be aliens or someone's septic backing up," added a man in coveralls between bites of his waffle.

I like the way this guy thinks.

[waterstraat]

This has put Brainerd on the map."

Brainard was put on the map by all those murders, and made famous by the movie based on those murders: Fargo.

[perfect stranger]

"The Martini is a purplish concoction of vanilla Vodka and black Sambuca. In the drink-sized version of the Black Hole, there is no mystery. The "hole" is a black licorice jellybean bobbing at the bottom of the glass."

Dean Martin rolls in his grave every time some trendy moron calls a Vodka and fruit juice drink some type of Martini.

For the record, a Martini is chilled Gin or Vodka with an olive in the glass as flavor after you forget to add Vermouth.

[Rocky]

I think it's ice termites.

[flying Elvis]

Gobal Warming! Global Warming! Global Warming! The Sky is falling! lol

[Sabretooth]

In the distance, there is the sound of a four-wheeler snowmobile

Hmmm gee its kinda hard to tell these folks arent from Minnesota

I dont think Ive ever seen a snowmobile with four-wheels and chains./sarcasm

[Jonah Hex]

Ice 9?

More likely Ice Station Zebra. If Patrick McGoohan and Rock Hudson show up in a nuclear submarine, I'm outta here!

[coder2]

Excuse me ??? All those murders ???

Please tell me which murders you are talking about -- I live less than a mile from this lake, so I'm really curious.

[OldFriend]

It's where Sore/Loserman threw the military votes.

[coder2]

ROFL !!!

Believe me --- you see quite a few interesting vehicles up here, but you are correct, a 4-wheeler snowmobile with chains shows the lack of intelligence (or laziness) on the writer's part.

[dogbrain]

"Ice9?"

too localized

[PUGACHEV]

What is your opinion about the cause of this?

[coder2]

There is more to this story than this article tells

The hole freezes over when the temps are close to freezing and even may be a little over 32 degrees. The hole opens up further the lower the temp goes. Part of the analysis does show that the water temps in the hole are generally warmer than other spots, but there is no current or vegetation that accounts for the hole

We've had warmer than normal winters the past 2 years, plus a lack of snowfall, which may play a part -- but so far no definite answers.

Yes, it's a little mystifying up here --- lots of media attention and lots of speculation --- I'm just surprised no one has blamed it on the President yet.

[BenLurkin]

Or this guy:

[JOE6PAK]

I blame FRANK STALLONE.

[coder2]

Oh boy --- you hear so many different ideas from the locals --- some blame the racetrack that is close by, others have said there is direct seepage of sewage into the lake (which I do not believe).

North Long Lake is approximately 6000 acres --- there is the main body and then 2 smaller bays on the lake. This hole is in one of the smaller bays.

The lake is clean and this bay is somewhat shallow. We noticed the hole last year and shortly after that, a man drowned when he plunged into the hole with his 4-wheeler (speculation was that it was a suicide, but nothing came of that).

The bay froze over completely in late 2002 --- but then opened up when the weather got colder. Most all of the lakes up here are frozen solid (our lake has 2 feet of ice), so yes, it is an anomoly.

What is truly causing it ??? I'm thinking a lack of snowfall along with shallow waters play a part --- this bay has an active fish population, which is known to weaken the ice.

Still -- all speculation so far --- but it is interesting that the hole freezes over when it gets warmer.

[Nick Danger]

"It could be aliens or someone's septic backing up,"

It's always one or the other.