J
Jonathan T
Guest
I was wondering where the water from Malham Tarn goes? I know it doesn't go to Malham Cove. Also, where does the water from Malham Cove come from?
Cheers
Cheers
Robert Scott
Member
Try http://www.yssuk.com/staticfiles/malh/malham.htm
Pitlamp
Well-known member
OK Graham - will do my best.
This is not an easy question to answer. Most of the many dye tests that have been done (starting well over a century ago) seem to indicate that the Tarn water (sinking in the Watlowes valley) goes to Aire Head Springs to the south of Malham and that the water from the Smelt Mill Sink (west of the tarn) goes to the Cove. More than one school geography text book quotes this as a "classic" example of streams crossing underground. This is a gross oversimplification.
There are many other smaller sinks which should be taken into account, not to mention a vast amount of autogenic input, after a prolonged wet spell, from the large catchment to the north and northwest of the risings in question.
Some people feel that some of the tests in the past have been unnecessarily complex in design or partly flawed in their interpretations. What might help are a few basic observations. For example, in wet conditions, there is only one big sinking stream (the Tarn sinks) and only one big resurgence (the Cove). Also, in exceptionally dry conditions Aire Head may dry up completely yet there is still a significant stream sinking at the Tarn sinks. This suggests that the information in the first paragraph above is not entirely representative of what's really happeneing.
One commonly held view is as follows (but remember that this itself is still an oversimplification). In dry conditions (but not the driest!) the Tarn water water sinks closer to the Tarn (further up valley) and this sinking water drains to Aire Head. The Smelt Mill sink drains to the Cove. As discharge in the Tarn water increases, the water flows further down the Watlowes valley, utilising extra (older) sinks. (It has been observed in recent times to sink as far down as the foot of the "dry" waterfall at the point where a side valley, probably guided by the Langscar fault, joins the main valley). These older sinks do drain to the Cove, which might partially explain why such a massive discharge can occur from the Cove in really wet conditions.
There is one other rising which should be borne in mind in extremely high water conditions; Cawden Burst. It is possible (though not proven) that a hypothetical distributary from these wet-weather-only sinks in the Watlowes (i.e. tarn water) feeds Cawden Burst. The latter is certainly a significant rising in flood conditions; this is the one which floods the main road through Malham (outside the Listers Arms) though normally it is totally dry.
So there you are; the hydrolgy of the Malham area is fascinating but has never been fully elucidated. The potential for a huge cave system is definitely there but it's proving a tough nut to crack. One day . . . . .
This is not an easy question to answer. Most of the many dye tests that have been done (starting well over a century ago) seem to indicate that the Tarn water (sinking in the Watlowes valley) goes to Aire Head Springs to the south of Malham and that the water from the Smelt Mill Sink (west of the tarn) goes to the Cove. More than one school geography text book quotes this as a "classic" example of streams crossing underground. This is a gross oversimplification.
There are many other smaller sinks which should be taken into account, not to mention a vast amount of autogenic input, after a prolonged wet spell, from the large catchment to the north and northwest of the risings in question.
Some people feel that some of the tests in the past have been unnecessarily complex in design or partly flawed in their interpretations. What might help are a few basic observations. For example, in wet conditions, there is only one big sinking stream (the Tarn sinks) and only one big resurgence (the Cove). Also, in exceptionally dry conditions Aire Head may dry up completely yet there is still a significant stream sinking at the Tarn sinks. This suggests that the information in the first paragraph above is not entirely representative of what's really happeneing.
One commonly held view is as follows (but remember that this itself is still an oversimplification). In dry conditions (but not the driest!) the Tarn water water sinks closer to the Tarn (further up valley) and this sinking water drains to Aire Head. The Smelt Mill sink drains to the Cove. As discharge in the Tarn water increases, the water flows further down the Watlowes valley, utilising extra (older) sinks. (It has been observed in recent times to sink as far down as the foot of the "dry" waterfall at the point where a side valley, probably guided by the Langscar fault, joins the main valley). These older sinks do drain to the Cove, which might partially explain why such a massive discharge can occur from the Cove in really wet conditions.
There is one other rising which should be borne in mind in extremely high water conditions; Cawden Burst. It is possible (though not proven) that a hypothetical distributary from these wet-weather-only sinks in the Watlowes (i.e. tarn water) feeds Cawden Burst. The latter is certainly a significant rising in flood conditions; this is the one which floods the main road through Malham (outside the Listers Arms) though normally it is totally dry.
So there you are; the hydrolgy of the Malham area is fascinating but has never been fully elucidated. The potential for a huge cave system is definitely there but it's proving a tough nut to crack. One day . . . . .
gus horsley
New member
Very interesting Pitlamp. How do you think the Pikedaw area fits into this model? Does it just simply drain to the Cove?
Pitlamp
Well-known member
I suspect so - but you'd be better off talking to certain YSS members who have done a lot of testing in that area over the years. I have done a lot of detector placing / recovery for them and I seem to remember those within the main passage in the underwater cave behind the Cove ("Aire River Passage") have often been positive.
J
Jonathan T
Guest
Thanks for that, very interesting.
J
Jonathan T
Guest
I moved house into Malhamdale earlier this year and I go caving, I've seen some of the risings and caves on my runs and rides and so wondered what was happening to all the water.
Why are there no substantial caves in the Malham area, like there are in Kingsdale etc? Have they just not been found or is it due to the nature of the limestone in that area?
Why are there no substantial caves in the Malham area, like there are in Kingsdale etc? Have they just not been found or is it due to the nature of the limestone in that area?
gus horsley
New member
There's a big system just waiting to be entered. The difference between Kingsdale and the Malham area is that there aren't as many surface streams due to less impermeable cover to the limestone. Also, some of the bigger sinks such as at the tarn are close to major faults which makes digging extremely difficult (like the CPC epic dig at the tarn sinks which went about 100ft through boulders before becoming ridiculous).
gus horsley
New member
Beardy said:
Thanks mate.
By the way - if anyone's never done Pikedaw it's a really interesting trip.