At the BCRA Cave Radio & Electronics Group Field Meeting, held at Water Icicle Close, Monyash, Derbyshire on Saturday 22nd May 1993, in addition to the cave radio and geophysical location experiments, some biolocation (dowsing) experiments were undertaken. These were carried out in the early morning, before the arrival of the other experimenters, to avoid any possibility of unconscious suggestion of the location of the cave passages. There had been no previous sight of a survey of the cave by the biolocators, but by arrangement a recent survey was brought along by another member, Dick Glover, and compared with the plotted passages on the following day at the Miners' Standard Inn, Winster. All present on the Sunday agreed that there was a high degree of correlation between the biolocated routes and the actual passages. You may judge for yourself from the biolocation map (Figure 1) and the cave survey (Figure 2) which accompany this article.
It was agreed by the meeting that there would be future experiments to attempt to quantify the biolocation method in a scientific sense by members of the Group. It was suggested that this might involve electrodes to record EEG and ECG traces, and electric potentials between palms, but also a transmitter/receiver system which would enable the experimenters to control artificial magnetic and electric fields around the operator, without the operator's knowledge, and to record the results by remote data logging. John Wilcock reiterated the discussion (on the possible scientific justification of the dowsing method for the location of caves) which he presented at the 1992 BCRA Conference, and members agreed that there was sufficient positive accumulation of evidence to justify a series of objective scientific tests. John Wilcock has volunteered as 'guinea-pig' operator, being an agnostic about the technique who is, however, also a prolific practitioner of biolocation.
The discussion of dowsing has proliferated in the caving press, Caves and Caving and Descent, mostly because of the series of articles "Dowsing the Dales" by the author. The letter from Derek Potter in BCRA Cave Radio & Electronics Group Journal 12 (Potter, 1993), also printed in Descent, has been answered in Descent (Fray, 1993; Gibson, 1993).
Biolocation results at Water Icicle Close
An opportunity was taken to link the May 1993 readings with other work in the area, and the results are summarised on Figure 1. The Water Icicle Close Cavern was originally discovered by miners, who entered from Long Rake. When the triangular junction was found, the passages were surveyed, and the shaft was sunk to drop straight into the junction. Passages are currently blocked by boulder chokes, but the biolocation indicates that this is a fossil drainage system which originally connected drainage routes in the area, notably Lathkill Dale (via "Fern Dale Passage" NW to Freezeland Mine; and "Lathkill Head Passage" NE to Lathkill Head Cave), Long Rake (via "Long Rake Passage" SE) and the Upper Dove Valley main drain (via "Benty Grange Passage" WSW).
It is suggested from previous work that the "Lathkill Dale Master Cave" runs under much of the surface valley. The primary source of water is probably a reservoir in the Chelmorton Low area held up by the Upper Miller's Dale Lava. From there it is thought to proceed via the village of Flagg, where a septic tank probably overflows into Knotlow Mine (cavers often have unexplained infections from cuts after caving in this mine). It is suggested that the flow then continues under Lathkill Dale to Freezeland Mine, and Lathkill Head Cave, Pudding Springs and risings further down the valley.
The other major source of water in the area is thought to be a reservoir (the "Long Dale Reservoir" in palaeokarst, consisting of a series of pits filled with Permian sands). It is suggested that this overflows NE and then WNW to the copious spring groups at Ludwell and Crowdwell in the Upper Dove Valley; also E along Long Rake and then NE under Calesdale to a flood rising and Pudding Springs at the junction with Lathkill Dale; also due E to the Middleton Rising, of previously unknown source.
These suggested master drainage routes may seem astounding, but the area is fairly barren of caves and the hypothesis is entitled to stand until disproved. The predicted connection between Water Icicle Close Cavern and Lathkill Head Cave via the north boulder choke should, however, be fairly easy to prove if the diggers get busy.
References
Fray, Adrian (1993) Last words? Descent 112 (June/July 1993), p.37
Gibson, David (1993) Last words? Descent 112 (June/July 1993), p.37
Potter, Derek (1993) Dowsing BCRA Cave Radio & Electronics Group, Journal 12 (June 1993), p.3
John Wilcock, 22 Kingsley Close, STAFFORD ST17 9BT
July 1993