For the first time in nearly ten years, California is officially free from drought. This milestone ends a historic seven-year period of severe water shortages that affected much of the state. The change comes thanks to record-breaking rainfall, particularly during January and February, which replenished rivers, lakes, and reservoirs from Northern California through the Sierra Nevada mountains. Californians now have plenty of reason to celebrate as water levels return to normal across the region.

One of the most striking symbols of California’s water comeback is the Lake Berryessa “Glory Hole” in Napa. Lake Berryessa, the state’s seventh-largest man-made lake, features a 304-foot dam near which lies this extraordinary spillway. Known as the glory hole, the 72-foot-wide funnel draws attention as both a functional safety feature and a visually stunning landmark.

The glory hole’s primary purpose is to prevent the lake from overflowing. When water levels rise too high, the funnel drains excess water into the lower Putah Creek. Its massive, swirling design creates a mesmerizing whirlpool effect, turning a practical engineering solution into a breathtaking spectacle that visitors flock to see.

For more than a decade, the glory hole had remained inactive due to the drought, as the lake’s water level never reached the spillway. Recent record rainfall, however, has filled Lake Berryessa to capacity, allowing the glory hole to operate once again. Its dramatic funneling of water has become a visual testament to California’s restored water abundance.

For those unable to visit in person, stunning footage of the glory hole in action has been shared online. YouTuber Evan K captured the spectacle with a drone, showing the powerful whirlpool at full force. The video offers a rare glimpse of this unique phenomenon and highlights the impressive ways nature and human engineering interact when water resources are finally replenished.