lost river

American  

noun

1. a river that flows into an underground passage or sinkhole.

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Etymology

Origin of lost river

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

Because there are so many underground caverns and sinkholes in the area, it has never been fully explored, and as such the lost river there could have dozens of offshoots covering hundreds of miles.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2023

Such is the case with Pennsylvania's aptly named lost river.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2023

He explained how the cavern where we were conducting the interview had once been an active limestone quarry until quarry workers discovered the lost river and spacious caverns in 1883.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2023

The Lehigh Valley isn't the only "lost" river, now or historically.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2023

"Just think, what a proud bunch we'd have been if we could say we—The Border Boys—discovered the lost river of the mesa dwellers."

From The Border Boys Across the Frontier by Goldfrap, John Henry