History and nature 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 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)

Commercial development was a threat to Twisted Elm Cave in 1995. The cave need to be properly preserved. 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)

Balcones Canyon Creek Preserve purchased land 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). 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: USFWS, 1995)

Twisted Elm Cave was reported to be “destroyed” along with Puzzle Pit Cave in 2004. Now the exact method of how Twisted Elm Cave was covered over is unknown. Today Twisted Elm Cave is considered destroyed and lost. (Ref: https://digital.lib.usf.edu/content/SF/S0/05/47/42/00001/K26-04293-KIP-00011532.pdf)

Personal communication from cited J.R. Reddell confirmed Twisted Elm Cave was “destroyed” in 2004. So no trace of this cave can be found or discovered today. Destruction of Twisted Elm Cave was caused by commercial construction. The way this cave was destroyed was by being “covered over”. Twisted Elm Cave was shut off immediately. (Ref: J.R. Reddell, 2004)

Twisted Elm Cave is believed to be located on the Target property along with Puzzle Pit Cave. Exactly where though is unknown. (Ref: http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=181340)

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)

Twisted Elm Cave is located at 11220 FM 2222, Austin, Texas, US 78730.