Niagara Cave

Not to be confused with Cave of the Winds (New York).
Niagara Cave
Passageway in Niagara Cave
Map showing the location of Niagara Cave
Map showing the location of Niagara Cave
LocationFillmore County, Minnesota, United States
Coordinates43°30′50″N 92°03′18″W / 43.5140°N 92.0551°W / 43.5140; -92.0551[1]
Depth200 ft
Discovery1924[2]
GeologyGalena formation, Ordovician Limestone
AccessTours are available in season
LightingSolar Energy[3]
Visitors25,000 - 30,000 per year[4]
FeaturesUnderground river, Subterranean waterfall, Wedding chapel, Fossils
Websiteniagaracave.com

Niagara Cave is a limestone cave located in Harmony, Minnesota. The cave is approximately 200 feet (61 m) deep; features include an underground stream, 60-foot waterfall, fossils, stalactites and stalagmites.[5] The cave is privately owned, with tours available seasonally.[6]

The cave was first discovered in 1924,[2] and in 1932, three spelunkers Al Cremer, Leo Tekippe, and Joe Flynn explored the cave and named the site Niagara Cave.[7] Niagara Cave opened as a show cave in June 1934,[4] and was described by geologist J Harlen Bretz in 1938.[8]

The Minnesota Geological Survey noted in their 1995 survey, "Niagara Cave contains an excellent example of an underground river, complete with waterfall."[9]

Niagara Cave waterfall
Niagara cave wall

References

  1. ^ "The Underground Waterfall of Niagara Cave". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  2. ^ a b Binkley, Mike (6 July 2014). "Finding Minnesota: The Cave That Pigs Discovered". CBS WCCO. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  3. ^ Jeffers, Barb. "Niagara Cave harnesses solar energy". Fillmore County Journal. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  4. ^ a b Weiss, John (2014-06-07). "Niagara Cave celebrates 90 years, with lantern light". The Post Bulletin. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  5. ^ Smelter, Kyle (18 July 2016). "Niagara Cave: What Lies Below". Minnesota Monthly. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  6. ^ "3½ Hours to Natural Wonder". Maple Grove Magazine. Minneapolis, MN: Tiger Oak Media. 2014-07-01. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  7. ^ Hahn, Amy Jo. "Niagara Cave". Minnesota Historical Society MNopedia. Harmony Area Historical Society. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  8. ^ Bretz, J. Harlen (August 1938). "Caves in the Galena Formation". The Journal of Geology. 46 (6): 828–841. Bibcode:1938JG.....46..828B. doi:10.1086/624694. S2CID 129399722.
  9. ^ Lively, R. S. (1995). "Minnesota at a Glance Caves in Minnesota". Minnesota Geological Survey. hdl:11299/59431. Retrieved 15 May 2019.


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