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

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

Meanwhile, the most well-known lost river in Indiana rises in Vernon Township, Washington County but is mostly underground.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2023

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

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2023

The remainder of that afternoon was spent in making more measurements and sketches of the interesting mesa, and the boys, on their own account, conducted a search for a possible entrance to the lost river.

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