Mel's Hole: A Geologist Debunks the Myth of a Bottomless Hole in Washington

Brian Myrick/Daily Record

In the remote countryside of Manastash Ridge, just outside Ellensburg in Washington state, lies a seemingly unremarkable patch of land that has sparked controversy and mystery for over two decades. The land belongs to a man named Mel Waters, and on it lies an allegedly bottomless pit known as Mel’s Hole. It’s an infamous and enigmatic spot that has captivated the imaginations of many over the years. But what exactly is Mel’s Hole? And is it real or a hoax?

Who is Mel Waters?

Mel Waters is a man who first claimed to have discovered Mel’s Hole back in 1997. Not much is known about him, but according to reports, he was a former Navy veteran who lived in the area with his family. Mel’s initial account of his discovery was recorded on Art Bell’s Coast to Coast AM radio show, a popular paranormal program. Bell’s late-night show featured alien and conspiracy-filled stories.

What is Mel’s Hole?

On Mel Waters' property in the Manastash Ridge, west of Ellensburg, Washington, there is a hole in the ground that looks like a well -- but it's not a well. It's not even a regular hole. It's an anomaly that has stumped everyone who has come across it. Mel described the hole as a cylindrical pit with no bottom.

For years, the owners of the property, including Mel Waters, have used the hole as a trash dump. His neighbours used it too. Garbage, broken appliances, old tires, everything went in the hole. But despite years of dumping, the hole didn't fill up. According to Waters, the hole was incredibly deep – he claimed that he had lowered a fishing line down into it, which ran out of several reels of heavy line at more than 80,000 feet without touching the bottom. He also claimed that the hole had supernatural properties and that his neighbour once dropped his dead dog into the hole only to see it later alive and not responding to him.

The strange and inexplicable nature of the hole in Mel Waters' property began to consume him. His dogs wouldn't go near it, and it caused his radio to pick up strange signals. But the most puzzling aspect of the hole was that it didn't seem to have a bottom. Bright lights were seen coming out of the hole. Others had reported seeing a black beam coming from the hole, and portable radios played programs and music from the past when held near the entrance. Metal placed near the 9-foot diameter opening even changed into other substances.

These details caught the attention of the public, though local news reporters found no public records indicating that Waters owned the land or lived in the area.

As word of Mel’s claims began to spread, it sparked the curiosity of paranormal enthusiasts, treasure hunters, and curious explorers alike. Over time, the lore of Mel’s Hole grew to include everything from stories of strange alien technology to rumours of underground tunnels and government experiments.

In a conversation with Bell, Waters said that the military seized his land without explanation, claiming the hole was an old site for a downed aircraft. He also claimed that the government forced him to lease the land to them and move to Australia.

Then one day, Mel Waters disappeared. Nobody knows what happened to him.

Is Mel’s Hole Real or a Hoax?

While some people believed Mel’s tale to be the real deal, others were more sceptical. There were a few inconsistencies in Mel’s story that left room for doubt. Some critics claimed that the location where Mel claimed to have found the hole did not match his initial description, leading some to believe that he had actually discovered a sinkhole or some other natural phenomenon. Others have speculated that the entire story was a hoax created to generate attention or gain publicity for Mel’s real estate business.

Despite these criticisms, however, there were many people who took Mel’s story at face value. Numerous individuals reportedly visited the site to see the hole for themselves, though they never seemed to be able to confirm or deny its existence.

Despite the allure and the hype surrounding the hole, the scientific community has been quick to dismiss Mel’s Hole as a hoax. There is no real evidence that the hole is actually bottomless, and no explanation has been given for the strange noises that Waters reported hearing. Furthermore, there is no proof of the military’s presence on the property.

So, is Mel’s Hole real or a hoax? This is the million-dollar question, and the answer is not an easy one. While it is hard to imagine someone dedicating so much of their life to a hoax, many scientists argue that the whole concept of a bottomless pit is scientifically impossible.

Despite the fascination surrounding the hole, there is no physical evidence to support its existence. No one has been able to locate it, and Waters himself has been somewhat evasive about its location. He has also been accused of fabricating the story entirely, although he maintains that it is true.

Some locals, however, claim to have witnessed strange phenomena near the supposed location of Mel's Hole. Others claim that animals act strangely in the vicinity of the hole.

The mystery of Mel's Hole has been the subject of numerous books, TV shows, and documentaries over the years. It has even inspired a fictional horror movie called "The Hole."

A Geologist Debunks the Myth

Geologist Jack Powell knew that something was amiss with the story of Mel's Hole. The hole's reported depth of over 80,000 feet was impossible, given the geology of the region. Powell knew the deepest mine shafts and caverns in the area, and none came close to that depth. He concluded that whoever Mel Waters was, he must have known about an old gold mine shaft near Ellensburg and used it as inspiration for his story.

Despite Powell's efforts to debunk the story, the legend of Mel's Hole persisted. A Seattle-based discussion group contacted Powell, hoping to gather geological information about the area in their search for Mel's Hole. Powell guided them to the old gold mine shaft, which he believed was the inspiration for the mythical hole. Despite Powell's explanation, the group couldn't let go of the possibility of Mel's Hole and formed the Seattle Paranormal Society to investigate it further.

In conclusion, Powell acknowledges that the legend of Mel's Hole is based on no evidence at all but has become a long-lived legend that is likely to persist indefinitely.

To find out more, I recommend watching this video: