Powdonnet Well, Morland

[Lankyman]

A few years back we had a wander round Morland in Cumbria. It's in that intriguing area between Eden and the Lakes where limestone pops up in all sorts of places. There's quite a large resurgence just north of the village and I was wondering if it had ever been inspected by diving or if there's anything else of speleological interest?

Powdonnet Well, Morland © Karl and Ali

A large spring or resurgence just north of the village. In the Yorkshire Dales this would have been investigated by cave divers for underwater passages possibly leading to an above air cave system.

www.geograph.org.uk

 

[Pitlamp]

I think I checked that one out years ago, hence my memory is hazy. I seem to recall the substantial amount of water wells up through a floor of rocks (i.e. no open passage to go for without work). Does that sound right?

Have looked at quite a few sites like this over the years in the "Cumbrian Ring" (of limestone). The most productive one was Grayrigg Main Rising NE from Kendal (i.e. well south from where you are). That gave something like 200 m of passage, some of it surprisingly large.

 

[Lankyman]

I think I checked that one out years ago, hence my memory is hazy. I seem to recall the substantial amount of water wells up through a floor of rocks (i.e. no open passage to go for without work). Does that sound right?

Have looked at quite a few sites like this over the years in the "Cumbrian Ring" (of limestone). The most productive one was Grayrigg Main Rising NE from Kendal (i.e. well south from where you are). That gave something like 200 m of passage, some of it surprisingly large.

It's almost a decade since I was looking at it but it did seem to be choked. I was wondering if anyone had decided to some underwater excavating in the meantime. As you say, quite a lot of water emerges there. I've walked past the Grayrigg site a few times and noted the strange looking limestone in the gill just west of the cave and resurgence
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3114732
There's quite a large dry valley with some shakeholes NNW of there (north of the two Deepslack farms which I noticed as well

Dry valley below Whinfell Beacon © Karl and Ali

Curiously, in an area of predominantly Silurian age rocks the same as or similar to those found across south east Lakeland and the nearby Howgills, there are beds of limestone evident here. There are several shakeholes in this valley and the larger scale maps show a stream sinking here as well...

www.geograph.org.uk

 

[jonnybellman]

As a Cumbrian, these potential sites really intrigue me. I'd be keen to join anyone sniffing around potential spots. Happy to help dig, or whatnot. Granted not local to Cumbria these days, but happy to have a weekend cave hunting

 

[Nasty Neasden]

I can confirm there is no obvious entrance to be seen as I live in the village, and have I looked around on several occasions. Please note any budding explorers, that this is a key amenity in the village with a lot of history associated with it. It would not be appreciated if someone were to rock up and start pulling any boulders out.

The streams here are/were home to native crayfish but are struggling with the usual farming run off and UU's sewage dumping. The Well is also next to a Millennium Stone erected by the Parish Council, so it is a fairly sensitive site for lots of reasons. If anyone were interested in exploring the potential, then do contact the Parish Council with a request and proposed method statement to seek permission, even if just for a poke around. There are lots of environmentalists, outdoor enthusiasts, outdoor instructors, cavers and mine explorers in the village, so potentially a positive response to be had - if it is approached sensitively. I can help raise any application with the Council if required. Thanks

 

[grahams]

Over at Great Asby the normally dry Dale Beck resurgence is a sight to behold in wet weather when a huge amount of water wells up from the river bed immediately downstream of the concrete bridge. A few yards away up the hill is a higher level wet weather resurgence which might be diggable. Grid ref. NY 67455 12939.

 

[Lankyman]

Over at Great Asby the normally dry Dale Beck resurgence is a sight to behold in wet weather when a huge amount of water wells up from the river bed immediately downstream of the concrete bridge. A few yards away up the hill is a higher level wet weather resurgence which might be diggable. Grid ref. NY 67455 12939.

That's interesting, do you know if there's any hydrological connection with Pate Hole?

 

[grahams]

There could be a connection. Pate Hole and Dale Beck are around the 200 metre contour with a distance of around 2 km between them. The all-weather resurgence for Pate Hole is reputed to be St. Thomas' Well in Great Asby. It's possible that Dale Beck water goes to the same place. I have no knowledge of whether any dye testing has been performed.

Another interesting location (which I have mentioned to John Cordingly) is Rutter Force south of Burrells NY 68197 15778. I'm no expert but the geology appears very similar to that at Morland. In dry weather, when the Force has ceased to flow, the deep looking pool below the Force has considerable flow.

 

[Lankyman]

There could be a connection. Pate Hole and Dale Beck are around the 200 metre contour with a distance of around 2 km between them. The all-weather resurgence for Pate Hole is reputed to be St. Thomas' Well in Great Asby. It's possible that Dale Beck water goes to the same place. I have no knowledge of whether any dye testing has been performed.

Another interesting location (which I have mentioned to John Cordingly) is Rutter Force south of Burrells NY 68197 15778. I'm no expert but the geology appears very similar to that at Morland. In dry weather, when the Force has ceased to flow, the deep looking pool below the Force has considerable flow.

Thanks, Graham. I've been to Rutter Force quite a few times but never seen it completely dry. Sounds like a similar situation could exist to that at Lady Blue's on the River Rawthey? Totally unconnected to karst hydrology but I recall there used to be a big old turkey who lived there when the cafe was open. Wasn't he called Godzilla or something?

 

[Pitlamp]

RF is on the list for scoping out at the first opportunity, honest!