Cave Spring On The Current River EarthCache
Cave Spring On The Current River
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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*See Rating System Note Below*
Cave Spring is located between Salem and Eminence Missouri on the Current River. More accurately, it lies between the Akers and Pulltite campgrounds at river mile 21.9. Cave Spring is owned by the L-A-D Foundation. It is one of more than 20 areas which are protected on lands owned and managed by the Foundation.
The Current River is one of the rivers that make up the Ozark Scenic National Riverways, the first National Park Area to protect a wild river system. You are able to paddle into the cave where the spring rises but should be aware that you will be in semi darkness and the spring water is very cold.
The Ozarks is an area typified by what is called "Karst Topography." This means that the geologic structures underneath the earth are made of soluble limestone and dolomite. Water has been at work underground wearing away passages- water filled ones we call springs and formerly water-filled ones we call caves. A karst landscape is one in which caves, springs, sinkholes and losing streams are found. Due to the porous nature of the ground, and the movement of water underground over sometimes great distances, groundwater in karst areas is particularly vulnerable to pollution.
The spring issuing from the cave has an average discharge of 32 million gallons per day and rises into the cave opening from a vertical shaft 140 feet deep. All of the water is coming from a fairly extensive spring supply system with at least two large, storage reservoirs nearby; Devil's Well and Wallace Well. Devil’s Well is less than a mile north of the cave and has an underground lake with a surface area larger than a football field.
You can access this cache by walking the 4.6 mile footrail from Devils Well or by kayak and canoe while paddling the river. Bring a flashlight so that you will be able to see once you are inside the cave.
To log this cache, you must:
1. Email me the estimated height and width of the cave opening.
Optional items
1. Email me the names of the any living beings that you see using the cave or spring as a home or obtaining food/nutrition from it.
2. Please post a picture of yourself at the cave if possible when you log the cache.
*RATING SYSTEM NOTE*
This cache's rating will be different depending on what mode of travel you will be using.
Difficulty rating: Paddling 5 Hiking 1-2
Terrain rating: Paddling 5 Hiking 3.25
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)