Prompt Cast
The Mystery of the Disappearing Mountain Lake in Virginia
TLDR Mountain Lake in Virginia, famous for its role in the movie Dirty Dancing, is experiencing a significant decrease in water levels due to a combination of factors including drought, construction of stormwater management basins, and diversion of water. Efforts to plug the holes in the lake have been unsuccessful, leaving the lake with insufficient water for recreational activities.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Mountain Lake in Virginia served as the location for Kellerman's Lodge in the film Dirty Dancing, and the lake itself played a significant role in the movie as the place where the iconic dance move was practiced.
02:03
Mountain Lake in Virginia, the location of Kellerman's Resort in Dirty Dancing, is currently experiencing a significant decrease in water levels, causing the resort to shift its focus to other activities and leaving the iconic Gazebo and Doc Boardwalk in the middle of a field.
04:14
Mountain Lake in Virginia has emptied three times in its 6,000-year history due to holes on the bottom that continually drain the water, and the current concern is why the lake is not filling back up despite these holes being present for thousands of years.
06:13
A drought in the 90s led to lower inflow and more outflow in the lake, partially explaining why it is not filling back up, but there is still more to the mystery.
08:21
The lake is not filling up because of a combination of factors, including the drought, the construction of stormwater management basins, and the diversion of water to a nearby creek.
10:16
Mountain Lake Lodge plugged the holes in the lake all at once, which scared the geologists, and they used mattresses to plug the holes in the first half of the 20th century.
12:06
The second attempt to fix the disappearing lake involved stuffing it with dirt and clay, but the lake continued to develop new holes, and while there is some water present, it is not enough for activities like canoeing or swimming.
Categories:
Society & Culture
