Mysterious Blue Hole draws visitors to eastern New Mexico
SANTA ROSA, N.M. (AP) — In an otherwise arid stretch of eastern New Mexico is a seemingly bottomless, deep blue swimming hole that has built up quite a reputation.
Weary railroad workers and passengers followed at the turn of the century, and then came the flood of travelers along historic Route 66.
The artesian spring, tucked into a rock outcropping just off the highway, pumps out some 3,000 gallons (11,000 liters) of water per minute.
In 2013, divers with the ADM Exploration Foundation attempted an expedition but they had little success getting past the tons of rock the city had dumped onto the grate to keep people out.
Today, tourism officials are highlighting Blue Hole as part of the New Mexico True campaign, which aims to paint the state as a place for outdoor fun and cultural exploration.