Jamaican Caving Notes

Report on Visit to Riverhead Cave. Prepared by: Andreas Haiduk, Chief Hydrologist, Water Resources Authority

On June 4, 2006, after a somewhat restless night (mosquitoes and no fan) in Pollyground, where we had visited St Clair Cave the day before, we decided to head to the start of the Black River, which emanates from the Riverhead Cave. What a sight!! A massive amount of water came from this cave. The weather turned by now against us, and it was raining intermittently. But who cares; we were wet anyway by walking again through the riverbed.

This cave is magnificent. Huge. But no bats. We entered the cave for about 200 - 300 m. When stepping into the river sediment, one could notice a rotten egg smell. And the sediment looked dark grey, pointing to anaerobic degradation of organic material. The source of the organic material could be the guano, but the smell of sugar pointed more to effluent from a sugar factory. Knowing the hydrology of the area, one can assume that somehow effluent from a factory operating in Lluidas Vale might find its way into the underground. Being aware that one can get accustomed to H2S, and one might simply pass away, we decided against venturing further into the cave.