Located in Nebraska, Wutvh Hole Pond is a charming natural attraction that draws in visitors from near and far. This enchanting pond is tucked away in a secluded area, surrounded by a picturesque landscape that is peaceful and serene. Wutvh Hole Pond is named after its fascinating geological feature known as the "watch hole." This hole is a unique sight to behold, as it appears as though someone has drilled a perfect round hole into the ground, allowing water to flow into the pond. The pond itself is small but exceptionally clear, with crystal-like waters that reflect the beauty of its surroundings. The stillness of the pond creates a calm atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and meditation.
Witch Hole Pond is is an hourglass-shaped 28 - acre pond located in the northeast portion of Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park. Its sole outlet is east to Duck Brook ( the outlet is named "Witch Hole Brook" in the 1896 map above ), which later flows into Frenchman Bay to the northeast.
Below-left Witch Hole Pond seen looking south from a rock outcropping, the carriage road crosses this northeast section and the marshy area of the pond continues to the left of the frame. 1 mile carriage road loop that surrounds Witch Hole Pond traces a majority of its northern side and later bends south to cross over the pond s slim northeastern portion to continues on towards Duck Brook.
The stillness of the pond creates a calm atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and meditation. Visitors are often captivated by the tranquility of the pond, finding solace in its soothing waters. Surrounded by lush vegetation, Wutvh Hole Pond is a haven for various wildlife species.
Geography
A few maps focusing on the area of Witch Hole Pond are included below; visit the history section for more historical maps, and see the resources sections for additional maps of Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park.
Left: One of the most detailed maps of Mount Desert Island ( viewable in full , additional maps ) from 1896 showing the pond as "The Witch Hole." Below: Witch Hole Pond as seen in Acadia National Park's official visitor maps, showing the carriage roads in yellow.
Physical DescriptionMaximum depth : 33 feet
Elevation : 179 feet
Coordinates : N44° 24.089’ W68° 14.374’
Witch Hole Pond is is an hourglass-shaped 28 - acre pond located in the northeast portion of Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park. Its sole outlet is east to Duck Brook ( the outlet is named "Witch Hole Brook" in the 1896 map above ), which later flows into Frenchman Bay to the northeast.
Witch Hole Pond receives water from an extension that is shaped by beaver activity flowing out toward Paradise Hill Road and Route 3 through a culvert under the carriage road at its northeastern section ( pictured left from near the culvert on the carriage road, below from the carriage road near St. George's Hill ). This area is marked as the north inlet on the black-and-white map created by the Maine Department of Fish and Wildlife ( left) . It also has an input from the southwest from the small connection of ponds labeled "Beaver Ponds" on the top-most map above.
EnvironmentThe majestic geology of Mount Desert Island contributes to the localized conditions of place found across Acadia National Park. Mount Desert Island is founded mainly on intrusive igneous granite. The bedrock of Witch Hole Pond consists of Cadillac granite, pictured below. Cadillac granite is the most common bedrock on the island, formed about 420 million years ago when magma cooled beneath the earth's crust. The different granites are recognizable by their varying mineral composition, for example Cadillac granite has coarse minerals like translucent quartz and iconic pink feldspar ( below) ( Gilman 1988 ; National "Guide's" n.d. ). In geologic terms, Witch Hole Pond formed much more recently, likely a result of retreating glaciers (10,000-20,000 years ago) that formed a hollow that filled with water ( Fischer, 2015 ).
Acadia National Park sits midway up the coast of Maine. The relatively high latitude means that the park receives an average 60 inches of snow a year, and is subject to frequent freezing temperatures. But being surrounded by ocean water means that the park also typically receives rain every month of the year, and has milder temperatures and less snow accumulation than further inland ( National "Guide's" n.d. ). The park receives peak visitation during the summer months, but with warming summers the season is expected to increase visitation and expand the peak tourist season ( National, 2015 ).
PathsWitch Hole Pond is easily accessible from Acadia’s Hull’s Cove Visitor Center through a half-mile trail that connects to Acadia's carriage roads, which are limited to foot and bike traffic in the Witch Hole Pond loop. The 3.1 mile carriage road loop that surrounds Witch Hole Pond traces a majority of its northern side and later bends south to cross over the pond’s slim northeastern portion to continues on towards Duck Brook. ( Below-left: Witch Hole Pond seen looking south from a rock outcropping, the carriage road crosses this northeast section and the marshy area of the pond continues to the left of the frame. Below-right: carriage road viewed looking north, with the marshy area off the right side of the road and continuing off-frame ).
Accessing the majority of the southern side of the pond requires galumphing through stiff and brushy vegetation. The shoreline becomes marshy and indistinguishable in places amidst the growth of tall cattail and other plants near the formation of its outlet to Duck Brook. The carriage roads from the west side of the Witch Hole Pond lopp also connect up, another mile south, to loops around Eagle Lake and other areas of the park. The Witch Hole Pond loop carriage roads are also accessible from Duck Brook Road, which comes off of highway 233 (between Bar Harbor and the park headquarters near Eagle Lake), and is also accessible from a short (.4 mile) trail near the Acadia Inn on Route 3/ Eden Street.
The carriage roads around Witch Hole Pond are considered to be among the highest-use carriage roads in the park. Charlie Jacobi's ( 2001 , 2005 ) studies show that the Paradise Hill, Eagle Lake, Jordan Pond, Bubble Pond, and Witch Hole Pond carriage roads are considered peak usage areas when two other time-related conditions are met. The first other condition for peak-usage zone classification is if it between June 20th and Labor Day, or is the Memorial Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend. The second condition that causes peak usage is anytime during the hours of 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. In the areas mentioned above, during these select times of year and day, classify peak usage zones for Acadia National Park. When all three of these factors come into play, the park uses different standards for overcrowding and problem behaviors and keeps careful monitoring of these areas.
Acadia National Park defines crowding in these peak zones with the measure of persons per viewscape (PPV): “In the High Use Zone, visitors should see 0 PPV at least 31 minutes of each hour, should see 1-5 PPV no more than 27 minutes of each hour, should see 6-10 PPV no more than 2 minutes out of each hour, and should never see more than 10 PPV” ( Jacobi 2005 p. 3 ). The data for sections of the carriage road system on a per visitor basis are either nonexistent or difficult to locate, but based on Jacobi ( 2005 ) and the Park System’s statistics of around 2,500 visitors total a day on the carriage road system (likely much closer or more than 3,000 ten years later) and an around 15% allotment (based on Jacobi 2001 data), I had previously estimated that around 375-450 people pass near Witch Hole Pond on the carriage roads each peak day. However, after recent contact with Jacobi (personal communication, November 17, 2015) he estimated that around 550 people pass near Witch Hole Pond, inflated for increasing visitation and based off of statistic from Duck Brook and Eagle Lake carriage road usage. Witch Hole Pond is a great place to get to know the people who visit Acadia, being close to the visitor center and connections to other carriage road system, but at the same time is a more secluded part of the park in comparison to Eagle Lake or Jordan Pond.
Human UseMy early visits to Witch Hole Pond were not too far temporally removed from peak usage dates and as a result the carriage roads were teeming with visitors. Because the carriage road system is usually limited to foot, bike, and horse traffic (the park does still have a few horse-pulled carriages run the roads every summer per Jacobi 2001 , 2005 ) it makes them especially appealing to visitors. From my informal observations, the people who walked and ran through this area, were normally in small groups of three or less, and frequently brought their canine companions. The Witch Hole Pond loop is the most active in areas where visitors can enter and leave the carriage road system, like around the famous stone bridge that spans Duck Brook and connects to Duck Brook Road. During my observations at the pond, I saw no human activity on the water. No boating, kayaking, or fishing. Recreational fishing at Witch Hole Pond does occur, usually for the stocked brook trout. During the winter months, the pond freezes over and the carriage roads are groomed used for skiing.
Acadia's famous carriage roads, which are an important part of transportation around Witch Hole Pond and other areas of the park, were gifted and designed by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Constructed from 1913 to 1940, the carriage roads were built to preserve scenic byways devoid of loud and polluting automobiles. The carriage roads were built sixteen-feet wide, and graded and curved gently enough for horse-drawn carriages, but today mainly provide a sturdy, well-connected system of roads for bikers (including the Obama family), runners, and even skiers in the winter ( National "Guide's" n.d. ).
The pond attracts a diverse array of birds, including ducks and herons, which can be observed gracefully gliding across its surface. The surrounding trees offer shelter to numerous small animals, such as squirrels and rabbits, adding to the natural charm of the area. For those who yearn for a close connection with nature, Wutvh Hole Pond offers several walking trails that meander through the surrounding woods. These trails provide an opportunity to explore the breathtaking scenery and immerse oneself in the sights and sounds of the wilderness. In addition to its natural beauty, Wutvh Hole Pond is also known for its excellent fishing opportunities. Anglers can try their luck at catching various fish species, including bass, catfish, and rainbow trout. The serenity of the pond makes it a perfect spot for a peaceful fishing experience. Whether it's for a leisurely stroll, a serene fishing trip, or simply to soak in the tranquility of nature, Wutvh Hole Pond offers a delightful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Its hidden beauty and peaceful ambiance make it a true hidden gem, waiting to be discovered by nature lovers and adventurers alike..
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