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Click
here for information on the Deep
and Punkin' Preserve, Edwards County Texas.
Click
here for information on Robber Baron Cave, San
Antonio Texas.
Click
here for information on TCMA
Managed Caves.
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TCMA Owned Preserves
Return to the TCMA Caves page
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Whirlpool Preserve
Location: South side of Austin
Year acquired: 1989
Property size: 4.4 acres
Caves: Whirlpool Cave
Significance: Popular cave with largest room in Travis County.
Description: Whirlpool cave is located in a populated residential
neighborhood near an expressway. The cave is an occasional floodwater route
and is generally Y-shaped with over 400 m of total passage. It has long been
a great cave for cavers and was the first Preserve owned by the TCMA. The cave
is the most heavily visited of TCMA's caves and is especially suited for new
cavers, children, or as a fun, easy caving trip.
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Robber Baron Preserve
Location: Near-north side of San Antonio
Year acquired: 1995
Property size: 0.37 acre lot
Caves: Robber Baron Cave
Significance: Longest cave in Bexar County; Extensive maze cave; Two endangered species.
Description: Robber Baron Preserve is located in a densely populated
residential neighborhood along a major street. The cave has a long history
and was once a commercial cave. It is heavily visited and is suitable for a
wide range of abilities including new cavers and children. The cave is
an extensive maze of more than 1.3 km of passages that is entered from the
bottom of deep surface sinkhole. The property is currently undergoing a major
renovation supported largely through volunteer efforts and grants to restore
the sinkhole and surface while making the property more attractive.
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Godwin Ranch
Location: Northwest edge of Georgetown
Year acquired: 2003
Property size: 105 acres
Caves: Temples of Thor Cave, Red Crevice Cave
Significance: Endangered species.
Description: Located at the fringe of the Georgetown urban area,
this property is primarily for protection of habitat associated with
several endangered and threatened species. Both caves are relatively
small. Due to the sensitivity of the site, visitation is limited to
approved scientific research, monthly maintenance, and bio-monitoring.
The preserve manager is Aimee Beveridge.
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Lost Oasis Preserve
Location: South side of Austin
Year acquired: 1993
Property size: 3.6 acres
Caves: Lost Oasis Cave
Significance: Endangered species
Description: Located in a residential neighborhood, Lost Oasis Cave is
less than 20 m long and consists of a shallow room with numerous inactive
formations. Airflow from two small openings indicates that digging might lead
to more cave. The cave is managed as a biological preserve as it has a rich
biology, including several species of concern, that need protection under the
Balconies Conservation Plan. Visitation is infrequent.
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Rolling Oaks Preserve
Location: Far west side of San Antonio
Year acquired: 2003
Property size: 5.0 acres
Caves: Obvious Little Cave, World Newt Cave, Chimney Cricket Cave, Niche Cave
Significance: Endangered species.
Description: This preserve is in a low density residential neighborhood
outside of the city. All the caves on the property are very small and one
is closed due to trash fill in its entrance. The property was acquired from
the US Marshals Service who had seized the property. Visitation is rare.
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Ezell's Preserve
Location: South side of San Marcos
Year acquired: 2004
Property size: 2 acres
Caves: Ezell's Cave
Significance: Diverse and extensive community of cave fauna;
Home to Texas Blind Salamander; Direct access to the Edwards Aquifer;
National Natural Landmark.
Description: Ezell's Cave is located in a residential
neighborhood. The cave is not extensive with only 80' of un-submerged
Passage, but contains an important and delicate ecosystem of nearly 100 rare
and endangered subterranean species. With its direct access to the aquifer,
the cave is an important scientific resource. Visitation to the cave is kept
restricted to protect it.
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Deep and Punkin Preserve
Location: Western Edwards County
Year acquired: 2004.
Property size: 225 acres
Caves: Deep Cave, Punkin Cave
Significance: Two major, classic Texas caves; Deep Cave
highly decorated; Large bat population in Punkin Cave; H2S origin
probable.
Description: Deep and Punkin are located in a remote area of west-central Texas in the Carta Valley amid large ranches. Both caves are interesting complex, multi-level caves. Deep Cave is quite extensive with over 2.5 km surveyed and it continues to reveal major new passage. The cave contains vertical sections and highly decorated sections including the Forest of Columns and Helictite Room. Punkin Cave has a 14 m free-drop pit entrance into a large bat chamber that leads to more than 400 m of mapped cave. Many leads remain to be explored. The property also contains a cabin that sleeps 10 or more. This property is extensively visited and very popular. Since acquisition, there have been numerous work projects to improve the property, renovate the cabin, and continue exploration and survey of the caves.
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