The Ozark Cave Diving Alliance

Nesbitt 2004

 

The OCDA was contacted to do a cave wildlife survey of Nesbitt Spring in 2004. The system consists of 2 sumps at the front of the system and a long section of water passage between them and the 3rd back sump. Ceiling heights in the walking stream passages vary with the height going up to 50'-60'. Numerous formations are visible in the cave and on this visit numerous banded sculpin were present though no blind cave fish and crayfish were found. This system has been previously explored, an earlier group's 1995 dive journal written by Robert Laird can be found here.

 

 

The first sump is about 800' from the entrance.

This trip was to collect cave life samples for dna sampling.

Exiting #2 sump heading inbound.

Coming out of the small #2 sump area into the large stream passage heading inbound.

Brian looks in on the inner tubes stashed for equipment transport from sump #2 to #3.

Mud bank and interesting ceiling.

Brian gets ready to critter survey.

Brian and Shannon survey the water passage for cave life.

The area is halfway to sump #3.

Checking out the 3rd sump area.

Pretty ceiling in places.

Outbound at sump #2.

A Grotto Salamander keeps an eye on us. :-o

This Cave Salamander was hanging out above a rimstone dam.

Brian and Shannon explored an upper gallery rumored to be the largest room in Arkansas.

 

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