Lake Berryessa’s Rare Whirlpool Spillway Dazzles Visitors

Quick Smiles:

• Lake Berryessa’s Morning Glory spillway is captivating visitors with its rare activation.
• This unique spillway, resembling a sea whirlpool, has only been in use 25 times in nearly 70 years.
• Recent atmospheric rivers have brought enough rain to trigger this mesmerizing spectacle.

A delightful spectacle has emerged in Napa County, where a marvel of engineering has come to life at Lake Berryessa. The Morning Glory spillway, a 72-foot-long circular hole, is now channeling water down to a creek 200 feet below, creating a fascinating whirlpool effect.

This spillway, located behind the Monticello Dam, is a rare sight to behold. It only activates when the lake surpasses 440 feet, a threshold not often reached due to California’s frequent droughts.

Installed almost 70 years ago, this passive spillway has been needed just 25 times. The recent series of atmospheric rivers has filled the reservoir, offering a chance for people to witness this spectacle.

With more rain forecasted, visitors have the opportunity to experience this unique feature up close from a nearby road.

The spillway last flowed in 2017 and 2019, marking its long dormancy as a testament to the region’s dry spells. Local residents rely on the reservoir for water, requiring significant rainfall to activate the spillway.

Interestingly, other man-made lakes in California, such as Trinity Lake and Whiskeytown Lake, also use these passive spillways. These systems are a testament to the innovative methods used in managing water levels in the state.

For those interested in natural wonders, a recent video captures a rare ice disk vortex in Scotland, showcasing another mesmerizing water phenomenon.

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