The outlet of Roaring River Spring is a very beautiful
and awe inspiring feature. But there is even more beauty to be found underground.
The landscape which is seen above ground is mirrored in much the same
way underground. Several years ago a diving team consisting of divers
Jeff Quam, Steve Langston, Don Langston and Marvin Bower explored the
spring. By laying a guide line and staging oxygen tanks, they were able
to reach the bottom of the spring at 224 feet and take these pictures.
The dive to the bottom took them about ten minutes.
Divers entering the spring
As the divers begin their descent the geology contains
ledges with dolomite silt
At about 40 feet there is an intersection. One path leads
to the Colossal Dome room while the other leads to the bottom of the spring
The Colossal Dome room
The Colossal Dome room is an air-filled underground room
that measures 72 feet by 16 feet
Soda straw stalactites cover the ceiling.
Colossal Dome Room
Colossal Dome Room
At the bottom of the spring the walls are mostly smooth.
Crayfish and sculpin can be seen moving about on the bottom
The bottom of the spring is 224 feet deep. At this depth
there is a hole 2 feet by 4 feet partially covered with logs and a pipe.
The pipe fell in years ago from Deer Leap trail
An attempt to go on down the hole was attempted but the
divers found it too small to enter. It appears to go on another 20 feet.
The ascent to the surface will take around 45 minutes as the divers will
have to stop at various depths to decompress.
Photographs courtesy of Missouri Department of Natural Resources
