Mystery in Meherrin: Haunted Pool?

Last week Meherrin Resident Don Killgore noticed a commotion from his above ground backyard pool.  The water in the pool was rising to a mound in the middle and subsiding in a regular motion.  The rise in the middle exceeded a foot and the rate was about once every second.

This week when the pool again became agitated Killgore contacted the Southside Messenger.   Messenger staff visited the pool and observed the phenomenon.  The pool is 22 feet in diameter, 52 inches deep and holds 5000 gallons of water and has a rigid frame with a soft liner. The bottom of the pool does not appear to be moving. The rate of the “pulses” is regular and consistent with the rise in the center.  The earth beneath the pool was cleared down to clay before installation.  The ground around the pool is dry. Although the water does not leave the pool, several times the floats have been thrown from it.  Kilgore reports the disturbance has lasted several hours each time.  It appears that the filter pump has no effect on the motion; turning it on or off does not create or stop the motion.

Killgore also reports that the previous pool in the same location was found empty and upside down last year even though it had been partially filled with water and was covered.

Messenger staff has attempted to discover the cause of the disturbance.  We can find no report of similar activity or any logical reason for the events.

We are reporting this in the hopes that our readers know of similar situations or can offer theories.

A video of the pool in motion can be found on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/SouthsideMessenger

So far we have been offered two theories. One is that there is a spring under the pool building up pressure until the back pressure forces it down. The other is “someone under there wants out.”

Let us know what you think.