Old Bellamy Project Update

The following was submitted to the O'Leno State Park Manager, Dale Kendrick, on January 3, 2000.

We began diving in Sweetwater Lake on October 24, 1999. On our first dive the water in the lake was very tannic with visibility of less than 10 feet. We found a cave entrance at a depth of 30 feet in the northeast corner of the lake near the steps. The entrance is approximately 120 wide and 50 feet tall and extends south along the edge of the lake. The floor of the lake at the entrance is in 80 feet of water. At a depth of about 60 feet we encountered clear water with visibility of about 60 feet. We were able to explore upstream about 1700 feet on this dive. The next week the cold weather caused to water to turn over and the tannic water is now in the bottom of the cave reducing visibility to about 20 feet. Still, we have been able to extend the cave passage to almost 2500 feet of penetration and feel we are very close to establishing a connection with the Derickson-Vaughn Cave System. As you can see on the attached map the two ends of the line are very close and both appear to be headed for Two-Hole Sink.

Since the turnover has reduced visibility, we have noted that warmer, clearer water is flowing out of the entrance at Sweetwater at the top of the passage. The colder, tannic water is beneath this layer. We also encountered a warmer, clearer layer of water about 2000 feet back in the cave at a depth of 80 feet that is flowing towards Sweetwater Lake. This may possibly be from the Derickson-Vaughn system. The basin at Sweetwater is very clear right now with visibility of about 40 feet.

We have also been diving in River Rise, exploring it to 2500 feet and headed towards Sweetwater Lake. We have explored the downstream section of Sweetwater Lake to a distance of 1700 feet and it appears to be heading for Downing Lake to the west of Sweetwater.

We have observed some blind crayfish in the system, although not nearly as abundant as in the Derickson-Vaughn system. Catfish are also present, particularly near the entrances, but also back in the cave system. Eels have also been seen. The floor of the cave contains an abundance of mussels, particularly near entrances. As yet, we have not seen any fossil remains or Indian artifacts in Sweetwater Lake. It appears that there is very little trash in the lake, mostly old fishing line and a few discarded bottles. There is an old boat that sank near the steps on the northeast corner of the lake.

We have encountered quite a few hikers and some of the campers before and after our dives. They have been very interested in learning that there is an extensive cave system underneath the park. We have begun posting a copy of the map and our permit on a board while we are diving.

That is all the information we have at this point. If you have any questions, or need more information on anything please let me know. Also, please thank your staff for their help and cooperation. They have been very helpful and supportive of our efforts.

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