In Judge C. R. Magney State Park, a large rock bisects the Brule River. One half of the river plunges 50 feet down a cliff and continues toward Lake Superior, while the other half flows into a hole and vanishes.
This enigmatic waterfall, known as Devil's Kettle, has long puzzled Minnesotans. In an attempt to trace the underground flow, researchers have dropped objects like ping-pong balls and dye into the hole. However, for centuries, the mysterious watery wonder has continued to perplex anyone who comes upon it.
In 2016, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conducted experiments that finally appeared to solve the mystery. In early 2017, the department's scientists announced that they had, after much effort, solved the riddle. As it turns out, the water that tumbles into the kettle simply rejoins the river a short distance downstream.
How to Get There?
At the end of the main hike (the trail continues on as the Superior Hiking Trail), you will arrive at Devil's Kettle. There is an overlook about 1.25 miles in where you can see the entire waterfall just before the steps that will take you to the kettle. Be prepared for a climb of about 200 steps down to the river and up to the top of the kettle, but there are benches where you can stop and catch your breath.
Devil's Kettle waterfall from a bird's eye view
Devil's Kettle is located in Judge C.R. Magney State Park near Grand Marais on Minnesota's North Shore, almost a mile inland from Lake Superior. The Brule River splits in half at the edge of Devil's Kettle. One half flows over a cliff and then plunges into a pool below, much like any other waterfall, while the other half flows into a hole in a volcanic rock (made up of rhyolite, which is harder than granite).
What's so puzzling about this? The water appears to go nowhere from here, as if it has completely vanished. This has left people perplexed for years. In fact, over time, locals, tourists, and even experts have dropped many objects into the hole, including GPS trackers, in an attempt to see where they end up. Guess what? They were never found again. The unusual name "Devil's Kettle" also comes from this, a waterfall that never ends, much like a kettle that never fully fills up.
How Does the Water Vanish?
Experts have been trying to solve the mystery of the disappearing water in Devil's Kettle for years. Some of the most popular theories include:
The water flows back into its origin river,
the Brule River.
The water flows all the way into Canada.
The water follows an underground tunnel
that eventually flows into Lake Superior.
In 2017, a team of hydrologists finally solved the mystery. They measured the water flow at the top and then at the bottom of the waterfall. They discovered that there was no significant difference between the two measurements. This means that the water does not actually disappear into the hole, but rather re-emerges into the river from somewhere hidden, presumably underground. This solves the puzzle! However, one question remains unanswered: what happened to the objects that were dropped into the hole along with the water? The experts have suggested that either the items disintegrated midway due to the powerful recirculating currents, or the water's enormous force keeps them submerged until they are farther downstream.
I hope you enjoyed learning about Devil's
Kettle! It is a truly fascinating place, and I hope you have the opportunity to
visit it someday.