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Black Keld HydrologyLast revised: 28/02/01
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| Access to Black Keld Is Not Allowed!
Black Keld is the largest resurgence (rising) in the Dales.
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Mossdale Beck sinking into Mossdale Caverns at Mossdale Scar. In more normal times the mean flow from Black Keld is between 0.075 cubic metres per second and 0.150 cubic metres per second (1000 to 2000 gallons per minute), but this can easily double after heavy rain. Two thirds of this water is proven to come from Mossdale Caverns. Rigg Pot, Langcliffe Pot, Swarthgill Hole, Bycliffe Sink, Gill House Sink and other sinks on the slopes of Great Whernside are also proven to resurge at Black Keld.
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Our ultimate objective is to discover how the water finds it's way to Black Keld. In 1974, this objective was described, 'as the greatest British challenge to both the sporting caver and the speleologist.' It's still a challenge today. Not least because of the serious nature and danger of most of the known caves in the system.
In 1967, six cavers drowned in Mossdale Caverns when a violent storm sent a flood pulsing through the 'Marathon' crawls. It was and still is the worse single disaster to befall caving in Britain. In the aftermath there were calls to block up cave entrances and stop cavers from going underground. It was an emotional response and understandable, but to explore and venture into the unknown is one of our primary instincts. We don't seek danger, but we do need a healthy fear and knowledge of the dangers, to overcome the obstacles.
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