Blue Hole (Castalia)

The Blue Hole is a fresh water pond located in Castalia, Erie County, Ohio, in the United States. From the 1920s to 1990 the Blue Hole was a tourist site, attracting 165,000 visitors annually at the height of its popularity, partly because of its location on State Route 269, about seven miles southwest of the Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio.

The Blue Hole, which is approximately 75 feet in diameter, captured the public’s interest because of its clarity, vibrant blue hue and enigmatic “bottomless” appearance. Contrary to prevalent belief, the depth of the Blue Hole is not unknown, but has been sounded and found to be about forty-three to forty-five feet deep [https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/1811/2587/1/V32N05_425.pdf Source] . Water temperature is about 48 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. Floods and droughts have no effect on temperature or water level. The Blue Hole is fed by a passing underground stream which discharges seven million gallons of water daily into Sandusky Bay to the north, which feeds into Lake Erie. The water contains lime, soda, magnesia and iron, and because the Blue Hole is anoxic, it does not sustain fish. The surrounding terrain is largely limestone, which erodes quickly upon contact with ground water, creating water-filled sinkholes. The Blue Hole was known to American Indians and was first recorded in history in 1761. Several similar blue holes are known to local residents. The actual original Blue Hole is now off limits to the public and is located on the Castalia State Fish Hatchery operated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. Another hole similar in size and eerie bluish-green color is open for public viewing at the hatchery.

References

*Powers, David, "Castalia Sings the Blues," "Cleveland Scene", May 27, 1999.
*Chabek, Dan, "The Blue Hole," "The Buckeye Chronicles, a Compendium of Facts About Ohio History" [http://www.lkwdpl.org/buckeye/buck07.htm]
*"Roadside America" website, [http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/983]
*Karl Ver Steeg and George Yunck, "The Blue Hole of Castalia," https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/1811/2587/1/V32N05 425.pdf

External links

* [http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/Home/fishing/hatcheries/hatchmain/tabid/6153/Default.aspx ODNR State Fish Hatchery page]

* [http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCC&cp=qx0wyn82zg66&style=b&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=17364228&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1 Live Search Maps "Birds Eye View" of original Blue Hole] (Rotate for additional views)

* [http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCC&cp=qx0mx782z731&style=b&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=17364292&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1 Live Search Maps "Birds Eye View" of original entrance] (Rotate for additional views)