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Except after heavy rains, a 22-mile section in the middle of the river is dry, while the water continues to flow underground, coming back to the surface in impressive springs called "rises." The water flows underground at depths of up to 150 feet.

The Lost River has been called an "underground Grand Canyon" and "three-dimensional river delta." Without warning the caves can quickly fill up with water, and people are discouraged from going into the caves because they are too fragile and too dangerous.

While people do not go into the caves it does not mean they are without life. The caves are home to at least 24 cave species — 19 of which are endangered or rare and five of which can be found only in this region — including the northern cavefish found only in Indiana and Kentucky. This system ranks among the top 10 caves in the country for species richness.

Because relatively little is known about subterranean systems, it is important that we tread lightly and work to protect this complex and fragile Karst system. A proposed management plan for the Hoosier National Forest would allow a 31 percent increase in logging. New homes with septic systems are also a potential threat to the river system, while current road construction projects and roads associated with the logging could also harm the Lost River.

Sierra Club supports designating this unique river system as a Wild and Scenic River and extending the boundaries of the Hoosier National Forest to provide a buffer area of protected habitat for the Lost River Karst system.

For more information and to learn how to help please contact Bowden Quinn at bowdenq@earthlink.net.