Cotterell Cave is a city-owned cave that is located on a nature preserve called Stillhouse Hollow Nature Preserve which is owned by the City of Austin. The quietness and isolation of this cave is one of the few remaining beauties of rural Travis County that is left.
Now finding this cave is difficult due to the abundance of overgrown shrubbery. Accessing this cave is difficult because this cave is located behind densely overgrown cedar brakes, dense juniper, and sage shrubbery.
The cave entrance is a 1 foot deep single which drops 18 feet into one extended room about 60 feet long and 20 feet long. Entering this cave can be hazardous because of fire ants and vertical angling. A large juniper root penetrates the ceiling of the cave. So watch out. There is moisture in the cave. Caving equipment is required to enter the cave.
Endangered species of insects such as rare troglobitiospecies and the endangered Terellreyesi as said to inhabit this cave. Insects such as fire ants cicadas, and crickets can be found around the perimeter. Fire ants are the most common invertebrates which inhabit this cave. (Ref: https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/grants/wildlife/section-6/docs/invertebrates/e1_j5_final_report.pdf)
Bug Guide lists 60 troglobitic species of the subgenus Cicurel of being reported to be living inside and around Cotterell Cave. (Ref: https://bugguide.net/node/view/602206)
The soil contains nitrate concentrations which are higher than the average soil nitrate concentration ranges. The average soil nitrate concentration ranges from 8.3 to 17.6 mg/Kg while the soil nitrate level of soil from Cotterell Cave is 21.2 mg/Kg. (Ref: https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/Documents/R2ES/LitCited/4TX_Sal/Turner_2005_SR_05_06_Potential_Sources_for_High_Nitrates_in_Stillhouse_Hollow_Spring.pdf)
Today Cotterell Cave remains locked and is only accessible by arranging a tour with the City of Austin. The City of Austin only gives public tours of Cotterell Cave twice a year. The cave is gated and locked because there are endangered species of insects living inside.
However there appears to be another entrance near one of the Caprock Canyon Apartments complexes. This entrance has been filled with rocks by neighbors and the City of Austin. This entry could lead or could have lead to Cotterell Cave at one point.
Cotterell Cave is located at the address of 7810 Sterling Drive, Austin, Texas, US 78759.
No comments:
Post a Comment