Goydenman
Well-known member
Nidderdale has two cave systems, Goyden system in a valley to the east, and Eglin's system in a valley to the west. There are two other minor cave areas, Blayshaw caves with no permitted access and the Canal cave area. In the base of the valley containing the Goyden system behind the Fire Station are a few short caves. The caves are not associated with the Goyden system but instead the Eglin’s system.
Lofthouse Foss caves truncated by the river Nidd with entrances either side of the riverbed. Canal cave and Lower Canal cave also truncated joined by an impressive trench running across the riverbed. Further downstream is Lofthouse pot on the west bank and sink on the east bank. Lofthouse pot is 4m deep and heads west towards Low Eglin’s Flood passage at the sane horizon about 110m away. The passage between is a bedding almost completely full of water.
Black Sheep Diggers assumed that Lofhouse pot is linked to the sink on the far bank of the river not having been truncated by the river Nidd. A plan was hatched to dig open the sink and join the two caves thereby letting the water flow away from the bedding and push for a link between Lofthouse pot and Low Eglin’s cave. The sink was named Hole-Under-the-Wall pot (HUTWP) and dug out to a depth of 5m. Unfortunately there was no link with Lofthouse pot and the new sink after each rain fall partly filled with water.
Hole Under the Wall pot
Lofthouse pot
The next thing was to purchase a generator and pump. The plan being to test pumping out the flooded bedding in Lofthouse pot and fill HUTWP. The latter in a vain hope of creating water pressure to open up the choked bedding. The day came when all people and kit was in place. At first digging in Lofthouse pot to open up a way through to the bedding removing winter flood debris. Then the pump was pushed through to the bedding inside a digging tray to ensure only water rather than mud and gravel was pumped out. The exit hose was placed into HUTWP and pumping commenced. As the water was lowered the cold draft increased a good sign. The water flowing into HUTWP half-filled the shaft and then stayed level a while before dropping. Further good news.
After this test of equipment it is clear we have a good chance of lowering the water in Lofthouse pot bedding and pushing towards Low Eglin’s cave. This will need to be in next years dry season as soon after this test first floods arrived and Lofthouse pot turned into a spouting resurgence!
Lofthouse pot dry and wet!
Lofthouse Foss caves truncated by the river Nidd with entrances either side of the riverbed. Canal cave and Lower Canal cave also truncated joined by an impressive trench running across the riverbed. Further downstream is Lofthouse pot on the west bank and sink on the east bank. Lofthouse pot is 4m deep and heads west towards Low Eglin’s Flood passage at the sane horizon about 110m away. The passage between is a bedding almost completely full of water.
Black Sheep Diggers assumed that Lofhouse pot is linked to the sink on the far bank of the river not having been truncated by the river Nidd. A plan was hatched to dig open the sink and join the two caves thereby letting the water flow away from the bedding and push for a link between Lofthouse pot and Low Eglin’s cave. The sink was named Hole-Under-the-Wall pot (HUTWP) and dug out to a depth of 5m. Unfortunately there was no link with Lofthouse pot and the new sink after each rain fall partly filled with water.
Hole Under the Wall pot
Lofthouse pot
The next thing was to purchase a generator and pump. The plan being to test pumping out the flooded bedding in Lofthouse pot and fill HUTWP. The latter in a vain hope of creating water pressure to open up the choked bedding. The day came when all people and kit was in place. At first digging in Lofthouse pot to open up a way through to the bedding removing winter flood debris. Then the pump was pushed through to the bedding inside a digging tray to ensure only water rather than mud and gravel was pumped out. The exit hose was placed into HUTWP and pumping commenced. As the water was lowered the cold draft increased a good sign. The water flowing into HUTWP half-filled the shaft and then stayed level a while before dropping. Further good news.
After this test of equipment it is clear we have a good chance of lowering the water in Lofthouse pot bedding and pushing towards Low Eglin’s cave. This will need to be in next years dry season as soon after this test first floods arrived and Lofthouse pot turned into a spouting resurgence!
Lofthouse pot dry and wet!
