Nature and destruction of Twisted Elm Cave in Austin, Texas explored.

Twisted Elm Cave is one of the forgotten caves of Travis County and Austin which has been destroyed. However a handful of information about this cave can be found online. This news article will explain the history and natural wildlife of Twisted Elm Cave. We will be exploring Twisted Elm Cave. Another one of Austin’s lost caves.


Twisted Elm Cave consisted of an irregularly shaped sink 10 feet in diameter. The cave extended to 8 feet before splitting in directions. Like many caves in Austin and Travis County, this cave is composed out of limestone and granite with steep drops inside. Rocky limestone formations are what can be found and discovered inside of this cave. Many caves in Central Texas have a rock formation of native limestone.

Golden-cheeked warblers (Dendroicachrysoparia) and Tooth Cave ground beetles have been confirmed to be living in Twisted Elm Cave. A high quality of golden-cheeked warblers can be found right around the outside of Twisted Elm Cave. (Ref: https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/Documents/R2ES/Bone%20Cave%20Harvestman%205-Year%20Review.pdf)


Here is the history of Twisted Elm Cave.

Twisted Elm Cave was discovered by USFWS surveyors as they were mapping the Four Points HCP area in Northwest Austin for Tooth Cave ground beetle caves in 1994. Twisted Elm Cave was considered to contain potential habitat for endangered cave invertebrates. Golden-cheeked warblers (Dendroicachrysoparia) and Tooth Cave ground beetles have been confirmed to be living in Twisted Elm Cave. (Ref: https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/Documents/R2ES/HCP_TPGFourPoints_19951113.pdf)

Balcones Canyon Creek Preserve purchased land where Twisted Elm Cave was located on and added that cave to their HCP program in 1995. Twisted Elm Cave was then added to an approximately 32-acre portion of BCCP land that would be undeveloped and conserved as habitat for Golden-cheeked warblers (Dendroicachrysoparia). Not to mention ground tooth cave beetles.  USFWS surveyors stated that Tooth Cave ground beetles in Twisted Elm Cave would likely be impacted by development nearby. So a few assessments were made by USFWS as needed. (Ref: https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/Documents/R2ES/LitCited/4TX_Sal/HNTB_2005_Tooth_Cave_ground_beetle_summary.pdf)

Twisted Elm Cave was destroyed in the process of construction of a Target store in 2004. Today Twisted Elm Cave is considered destroyed and lost. So no trace of this cave can be found or discovered today.


Here is what led to the destruction of Twisted Elm Cave.

Four Points HCP authorized destruction of Puzzle Pit Cave and impacts to the drainage area of Twisted Elm Cave along with preserved five endangered species caves in 1995 because WB Joint Ventures wanted to construct and operate commercial and/or residential developments on 216.4 acres of habitat in the area known as the Hart Triangle. (Ref: https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/Documents/R2ES/BO_2222_620_Bypass_TravisCo_Mar2018.pdf)

The surface runoff draining to Twisted Elm Cave would be “altered in quantity and possibly in quality due to construction within its drainage area.” Tooth Cave ground beetles in Twisted Elm Cave would likely be impacted by development nearby. (Ref: USFWS, 1995)

In 1996, the USFWS issued an ESA Section 10(a)(1)(B) incidental take permit (permit number PRT 808694) to WB Joint Venture in part to cover the potential incidental take of Tooth Cave ground beetles associated with development within an approximately 333-acre property in north-central Travis County, Texas. This HCP was created in support of permit issuance which called for the preservation of a 52-acre “high density cave area” containing 6 caves or prominent karst features including four of the Tooth Cave ground beetle confirmed collection sites. (Ref: https://digital.lib.usf.edu/content/SF/S0/05/47/42/00001/K26-04293-KIP-00011532.pdf)

The biological opinion from USFWS in 1996 was created in support of permit issuance is even more ambiguous when stating that the surface water runoff into Twisted Elm Cave “may be altered in quantity and in quality”. Though not specifically stated in the Four Points HCP or biological opinion, based on review of maps in the HCP it appears that Twisted Elm Cave is within an approximately 32-acre portion of the permit area that would be undeveloped and conserved as habitat or golden-cheeked warblers (Dendroicachrysoparia) Not to mention ground tooth cave beetles. (Ref: https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/Documents/R2ES/LitCited/4TX_Sal/HNTB_2005_Tooth_Cave_ground_beetle_summary.pdf)

On April 16, 1999, Federal Register announced and advised the the public that GDF Realty Investments, Ltd. (applicant), in conjunction with Mr. R. James George, Jr., Purcell Investments L.P., Parke Properties I, L.P., WB Joint Ventures, and Parke Properties II, L.P. planned to construct and operate commercial and/or residential developments on 216.4 acres of habitat in the area known as the Hart Triangle. The proposed incidental take would occur as a result of the construction and operation of these developments on FM 620 at Bullick Hollow Road (FM 2222) in Travis County, Texas. A Target store would be built here as well. (Ref: Federal Register, Volume 64, Number 73)

Construction for a shopping center, residential developments, and a Target store began in 2002 on top where Twisted Elm Cave was located. Twisted Elm Cave was destroyed in the process of construction. Twisted Elm Cave was reported to be “destroyed” along with Twisted Elm Cave in 2004. The way this cave was destroyed was by being “covered over” according to J.R. Reddell. (Ref: https://digital.lib.usf.edu/content/SF/S0/05/47/42/00001/K26-04293-KIP-00011532.pdf)

Twisted Elm Cave is and was confirmed to be located on the Target property along with Puzzle Pit Cave. An apartment complex was built over Twisted Elm Cave in early 2005 and again in 2010. (Ref: http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=181340)

Today Twisted Elm Cave is considered destroyed and lost. So no trace of this cave can be found or discovered today. Destruction of Twisted Elm Cave was caused by commercial construction. (Ref: https://digital.lib.usf.edu/content/SF/S0/05/47/42/00001/K26-04293-KIP-00011532.pdf)


Twisted Elm Cave was located at 11017 4 Points Drive, Austin, Texas, US 78726. The other address for Twisted Elm Cave was 11001 4 Points Drive, Austin, Texas, US 78726.