This Minnesota Waterfall Swallows Half a River & No One Knows Where the Water Goes

Devil’s Kettle, Minnesota

People have been throwing things into the Devil’s Kettle for decades trying to figure out where the water goes. They’ve used ping pong balls, GPS trackers, logs, and colored dye, with tests over the years as the researchers first tried to track the water’s path. We still have no idea where all that water ends up.

Here are more interesting facts about the Devil’s Kettle (which should probably be renamed to the Devil’s Black Hole).

Half the Brule River Vanishes into a Rock Hole

The Devil’s Kettle is a waterfall where the Brule River splits in two, with one half flowing normally while the other half vanishes into a hole in the rock. Located on Minnesota’s North Shore, this odd natural feature has confused people since it was first found.

The waterfall splits at a strange rock formation, with the east side acting like a normal waterfall while the west half disappears into a deep hole. No one knows for sure where all that water goes after it enters the wide hole, which creates a swirling whirlpool as water constantly pours in.

A Supreme Court Judge Saved This Waterfall

You’ll find Devil’s Kettle inside Judge C.R. Magney State Park, created in 1957. The park was named after Clarence Magney, who served as both Duluth’s mayor and a Minnesota Supreme Court Justice.

He helped save several parks along the North Shore. This 4,643-acre park includes steep river gorges and beautiful forests along Lake Superior.

Before becoming a park, the Ojibwe people used this land for hundreds of years and thought the unusual waterfall had spiritual importance. Throughout his career, Judge Magney worked to protect 11 state parks in the North Shore area.

The Kettle Cuts Through Granite-Hard Rock

The rocks that form Devil’s Kettle are made of rhyolite, a type of volcanic rock as hard as granite. This dense rock formed about billions of years ago when North America almost split apart during what geologists call the Midcontinent Rift.

What’s strange is that rhyolite normally resists erosion, making this kettle rare. The rhyolite here has pink and gray stripes showing its volcanic origins. Scientists think the kettle was carved by melting glaciers during the last ice age, with powerful water and rocks slowly wearing away the depression.

Logs, Ping Pong Balls, and GPS Trackers All Disappear

The researchers also tossed in logs and watched the river and Lake Superior’s shore for weeks without finding any. Another test used biodegradable dye that should have colored the water wherever it came out, but no one ever saw the dye again. Even modern waterproof GPS trackers lose their signal as soon as they enter the kettle.

Caves and Lava Tubes Theories Were Wrong

Scientists have come up with many theories about Devil’s Kettle over the years. Early ideas suggested underground caves might channel the water, but this was proven wrong because the area’s rocks (rhyolite and basalt) don’t form caves. Some thought ancient lava tubes might carry the water, but rhyolite doesn’t usually create tubes.

Others proposed a crack in the earth might take the water underground to Lake Superior. Detailed studies found no evidence of cracks big enough to carry that much water. The hard, non-porous rhyolite simply isn’t the type of rock that forms large underground passages.

A 2017 Study Found No Answers, Either

In 2017, scientists from Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources conducted the most thorough study of Devil’s Kettle to date. They placed measuring devices above and below the falls to check water volume.

Their results surprised many people. The water flow was almost identical at both spots, with differences less than 10%.

Lead scientist concluded that the water going into the kettle must come back out in the pool right below the falls, not somewhere far away. They also tried using fluorescent dye for tracking, but the strong currents diluted it too quickly.

Megan Fox Movie Used Devil’s Kettle as a Plot Device

Devil’s Kettle became more widely known after appearing in the 2009 horror movie ‘Jennifer’s Body’ with Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried.

The film used the waterfall in its plot and created a fictional town named after it, though they actually filmed in British Columbia, not Minnesota.

You Can Hike to the Devil’s Kettle

To reach Devil’s Kettle, you’ll need to hike a moderately difficult 1.9-mile trail along the Brule River. The path includes nearly 200 stairs going down into and climbing out of the river gorge. Starting at the main parking lot, you’ll walk through forests of several tree types.

You’ll see the Lower Falls first, then climb wooden staircases to reach a viewing platform that shows the Brule River splitting with half disappearing into the kettle.

The trail is considered moderate to difficult because of the stairs and steep sections, but benches along the way let you rest. Plan for 1-2 hours round trip and wear good shoes, especially if the trail is wet.

Grand Marais and Split Rock Lighthouse Are Nearby

The North Shore area around Devil’s Kettle offers many other great places to visit. Just a few miles south is Grand Marais, a small harbor town with good restaurants, shops, and the North House Folk School where you can learn traditional crafts.

The Superior Hiking Trail, a 310-mile path following the ridge above Lake Superior, connects with the Devil’s Kettle trail.

Other state parks nearby include Cascade River State Park and Grand Portage State Park, which has Minnesota’s highest waterfall at 120 feet.

The historic 57-mile Gunflint Trail starts in Grand Marais and leads to the Boundary Waters wilderness area. About 50 miles southwest, you can tour the famous Split Rock Lighthouse built in 1910.

Visiting the Devil’s Kettle

You’ll need a Minnesota state park vehicle permit to visit Devil’s Kettle, costing $7 for a day pass or $35 for an annual pass.

Cell service is poor throughout the park, so download maps before you arrive. The trail isn’t wheelchair accessible because of the many stairs and rough terrain. Dogs are allowed but must be on leash. There’s no visitor center, but information boards at the trailhead provide maps.