Underwater Springs

[muckdiver]

I am looking for a way to search for old watering holes or springs that early explorers used for fresh water. I believe that they would camp near these springs for long periods of time. The information that I read in a small local history account of the area said that back in the 1800s, artifacts were found by these springs. The problem I have is that this area has been flooded and is now under approx. 4 ft of water. Also the search area might cover many miles of shoreline and extend as much as a 1/2 mile out. The water has almost zero visibility and there is a sand bottom. I was thinking that I could fly over the area using an infrared camera but I have no idea if that would work. Also I don't know what kind of equipment I would need. Anybody got any ideas? I tested the area and I just picked a spot to try. I found with my metal detector many old shotgun shell brass ends, a blown off damascus shotgun barrel, a copper culture awl, a flint arrow head and two iron spear tines. I didn't find any items I believe to be less than 50 yrs. old. The only good thing is that they have been covered by water since 1880, meaning they haven't been searched with metal detectors yet, and maybe never. Any idea's would be great.
Muckdiver

 

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[Shortstack]

Welcome to the forum.

As a kid, I went swimming many times in spring-fed ponds. You could find the general area where the spring water was flowing up into the pond by feeling the cold water flow around your feet ( while treading water ) and follow it to its source by free diving.

Have you considered getting a thermometer with a remote sensing head on a long lead and slow cruising in a boat while throwling the sensing head about 2 feet off of the bottom ? Sorta like a fish finder. I'm not a big fisherman, but don't some fish finders have temp sensing ability ? If you get a sudden drop in temp followed by a quick spike back to average temp, then you've found an underwater spring.

Just a thought.

 

[rmptr]

That's a good tip!

To use a fishfinder for T hunting...

Mine do have a temp probe, and it could even be lowered, some, from a drifting rowboat...

Also, you might look for infrared photographs of the area.

If there was a temperature differential it would show.

R M P T R

 

[garym94931]

that is a good tip. i have a lake near me that has the opposite situation. the underground water is heated by a once active, surface, volcanic system and that heated water still rises into the lake. the lake water around that small area is too hot to safely swim & is signed 'dangerous.' the upward push of the current is said to be enough to displace small boats such as outboards.... off of their original track. that is .. you can boat through it but not swim.. but boats are affected, too.

 

[baspinall]

I have a lake near me that was a flooded valley. Theres supposedly a farm under it. You can see the old road going right into the lake.

Brian

 

[Shortstack]

I have a lake near me that was a flooded valley. Theres supposedly a farm under it. You can see the old road going right into the lake.

Brian

In the book, Ghost Towns of Oklahoma there is info and pictures of a town that was put underwater by a man-made lake. Brick business buildings, homes; everthing was left standing--even the power poles. So that town is still complete, but totally underwater.

 

[garym94931]

actually, thats very common for a reservoire to be built & flooded right over existing stuff. its happening in China at this very minute. a very famous river (tourist wise) and all its history will be underwater along with the old villages and such all along the banks. so, if a body of water is shallow enough and not flowing.. .an underwater detector would certainly find stuff.

 

[Shortstack]

actually, thats very common for a reservoire to be built & flooded right over existing stuff. its happening in China at this very minute. a very famous river (tourist wise) and all its history will be underwater along with the old villages and such all along the banks. so, if a body of water is shallow enough and not flowing.. .an underwater detector would certainly find stuff.

That dam in China is one of the reasons that the price of copper has shot through the roof. China is buying up all of the scrap and fresh milled copper it can get its hands on for the hydroelectric plants it's installing in that dam as well as the distribution system for the new electric power to be carried throughout the country. Their industrialization projects are costing the rest of us dearly. In more ways than one.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I found with my metal detector many old shotgun shell brass ends, a blown off damascus shotgun barrel, a copper culture awl, a flint arrow head and two iron spear tines.

Mine don't do that! I'm jealous!

Welcome to the forum.

 

[greywolf]

I read that Eastman Kodak is going to stop making Infra Red film. So if your intention is to use film then you better stock up or else go hi-tech with digital infra red if the cost is not to high.

 

[kiddrock33]

i locate springs in winter usually pond freezes first open water shows me where springs lie. such as this picture shows. possibly resurgance from caves.

 

[garym94931]

actually, thats very common for a reservoire to be built & flooded right over existing stuff. its happening in China at this very minute. a very famous river (tourist wise) and all its history will be underwater along with the old villages and such all along the banks. so, if a body of water is shallow enough and not flowing.. .an underwater detector would certainly find stuff.

That dam in China is one of the reasons that the price of copper has shot through the roof. China is buying up all of the scrap and fresh milled copper it can get its hands on for the hydroelectric plants it's installing in that dam as well as the distribution system for the new electric power to be carried throughout the country. Their industrialization projects are costing the rest of us dearly. In more ways than one.


unfortunately but true. and not much we can do about it. to make matters worse, organized thieves are now stripping our communities of copper wire and such in abandoned sites... to sell on the open market.

pennies will be worth gold in not too long!

 

[kieser sousa/rip]

i locate springs in winter usually pond freezes first open water shows me where springs lie. such as this picture shows. possibly resurgance from caves.

I was going to mention that and also that the ice over a spring is usually clearer than the surounding ice.

 

[Jazdo]

I have read some natural springs were used as wishing wells by early settlers. I would always have a buddy if you are venturing into any deep water.

 

[muckdiver]

Thanks to everyone who replied to my post. After looking into infrared film I found it will not work for what I want it to do. They have cameras to find fires in walls and ceilings but they are pricey to buy or rent and might not work either. I am thinking of using temperature sensors on a line, and then work a circular search area like I do when I search in water with no visibility. I think that through erosion and ice movement they maybe lost forever but I won't know unless I try.
Thanks again everyone,
Muckdiver