Flap: Bear Lake, Utah, Jul–Sep 1868
4 reports · 6 separate documents
Water Monster (3), Other Aquatic (1).
In the 10 years either side we have 9 other reports within 37 miles of here.
The reports, in order
- Jul 1868 Witness reports that Indians claim a serpent-like monster with legs lives in Bear Lake and has carried away swimmers.
Water Monster · Bear Lake, Utah - Jul 27, 1868 Witnesses [name] and [name] reported seeing a large aquatic creature in Bear Lake, prompting speculation about its nature.
Water Monster · Bear Lake, Utah - Sep 12, 1868 [name], [name], [name], [name], and six women report seeing multiple large animals swimming southward at incredible speed.
Water Monster · Bear Lake, Utah · rabbit hole - Sep 1868 Witness reports that many individuals firmly believe in the existence of monsters in Bear Lake based on consistent testimony and Indian traditions.
Other Aquatic · Bear Lake, Utah
Sources: Newspaper (3), Reddit (2).
How we find flaps
- Plain rules, no model: reports within 37 miles and about four months of each other are grouped, and a group counts only when it is at least 5 times what that place usually sees over the 10 years either side.
- A flap needs at least 3 reports from at least 3 separate documents: one article listing six sightings is one telling.
- Copies are not confirmations: a story reprinted in thirty papers counts once.
- Investigator logs (BFRO, NAWAC, the Loch Ness Register) are left out, because a busy field season looks just like a flap.
- Only reports placed to a town or county and dated to the month are used. A flap is a burst of reports, not proof of a creature: panics, hoaxes and newspaper fashions make flaps too.