What would you make out of an 8 foot deep x 5 foot wide x 10 foot long hole in the ground?

Question

The whole is made with poured concrete walls, floor, and ceiling.It's basically a small basement, but in the middle of the yard. The only opening is a 2 foot x 2 foot opening in the ceiling of the pit. It could make a good storm shelter with the addition of a ladder to get down in it. I think it was a water cistern or something. What else could it be made into?

Answer 1

A storm shelter is a good idea. A ladder or pool steps will help you get in and out.

I would make a root cellar (store up some fresh veggies and fruits like apples, squash, potatoes, canned goods, etc.) - See the book Root Cellaring by Mike Bubel.

I am a gardener so I might also think about using it to harvest rainwater. I don't know the ins and outs of keeping it from being contaminated or a mosquito breeding ground - or how you would get the water out again, but it is probably something worth researching.

Other folks might also make a secret playroom for kids - provided the roof is stable and you can get some more permanent steps and maybe a light or two.

It might be the beginnings of a pool if you can figure out how to drain it.

A basement for a shed or other small structure.

An animal trap if you cover the top with a woven "cover" of twigs, leaves and grass.

A place to hide the bodies.

Answer 2

Perhaps you could use it as water tank to store water from your roof.

Answer 3

Some people love to use things like you have as "Root Cellars".  It would a good place to store potatoes, carrots, apples and such.

Also, judging by the dimensions you provided, you have a capacity of 400 cubic feet.  That is quite a few gallons!

You could store rain water, from one of your "down spouts", and then have an endless supply of "natural water".

You could even fill it and add a "heat sink" (above, or on your roof) and store the heated water for use as "shower water" or warming any room you may want.  If you choose this option, you should make sure the "top" is well insulated.  This can be simply done with bales of hay.  Unless you want to buy "subterranean insulation".

Do not forget, though, that warm water has to be checked for bacteria and algae, from time to time.

Good Luck!  I wish I had one!