Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Disappearing Dirty Dancing Lake
Jun 3, 2020
The podcast dives into the tragic plight of Mountain Lake, a beloved filming location from 'Dirty Dancing.' Discover the geological mysteries behind its drying up and the historical attempts to fix it. The conversation highlights the lake's cultural importance and the impact of prolonged drought on its legacy. With a blend of humor and intrigue, listeners learn about the challenges faced by geologists and the possibility of restoring this iconic site. The connection between nature and cinema makes for a fascinating tale!
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Dirty Dancing Lake Disappears
- Mountain Lake Lodge, the real-life location of Kellerman's Resort in Dirty Dancing, is experiencing a severe water drainage problem.
- The lake's low water levels have forced the resort to shift its focus from water activities to archery and horseback riding.
Mountain Lake's Unusual Nature
- Mountain Lake is one of only two natural lakes in Virginia and is located in the southern Appalachian Mountains.
- It naturally empties and refills every few hundred years over its 6,000-year existence.
The Mystery of the Draining Lake
- Geologists Skip Watts and John Cowley studied Mountain Lake's drainage.
- They discovered holes at the bottom of the lake that drain water, a natural process occurring for 6,000 years.