Post by L Roebuck on Nov 16, 2007 21:05:36 GMT -5
Lost caves revealed
By JAMES DAMSCHRODER
The Union Democrat - Sonora, CA USA
When New Melones Dam was filled a quarter century ago this year, thousands of acres of history and prehistory were lost to its watery depths.
Drought conditions, however, have lowered the lake level by 93 feet, bringing back a glimpse of what was lost – notably, several of the 20-plus caves inundated when the dam's floodwaters began to rise.
Ralph Squire, 78, vice president of the Columbia Grotto of the National Speleological Society, said there are two significant caves that became visible when the water level dropped.
Both are located near the east end of the reservoir where the Main and South forks of the Stanislaus River converge. Several smaller grottoes also exist.
One of the significant caves is Coral Cave.
Full Text
By JAMES DAMSCHRODER
The Union Democrat - Sonora, CA USA
When New Melones Dam was filled a quarter century ago this year, thousands of acres of history and prehistory were lost to its watery depths.
Drought conditions, however, have lowered the lake level by 93 feet, bringing back a glimpse of what was lost – notably, several of the 20-plus caves inundated when the dam's floodwaters began to rise.
Ralph Squire, 78, vice president of the Columbia Grotto of the National Speleological Society, said there are two significant caves that became visible when the water level dropped.
Both are located near the east end of the reservoir where the Main and South forks of the Stanislaus River converge. Several smaller grottoes also exist.
One of the significant caves is Coral Cave.
Full Text