Exploring some of the biology, geology and history of Survey Line Cave in Austin, Texas.

Survey Line Cave is one of the many smaller caves in Austin, Texas. Only so much biology, geology, and history is known about particular cave. This news article will explain the biology, geology, and history behind Survey Line Cave. Survey Line Cave is one of the few caves located on Western Oaks Karst Preserve.

Survey Line Cave located near the southwest entrance of Western Oaks Karst Preserve. This cave consists of a small low room that is narrow in width. There is no standing room as this cave is only accessible through crawling. Survey Line Cave is in the Recharge Zone of the Edwards Aquifer. (Ref: https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/bitstream/handle/2152/22314/Perrone-2008.pdf?sequence=2)

Survey Line Cave was discovered in 1989 by surveyors during the early development of the Circle C neighborhood in 1986. Survey Line Cave was privately owned then and located on the Circle C Ranch property. This cave would be privately owned for the next 16 years.

TCMA partnered up with local developer, Lumberman's Investment Corp., for a proposed cave preserve at the Village of Western Oaks in 1998. The preserve would include Get Down Cave, Equinox Cave, Live Oak Cave, Survey Line Cave, and Senatorial Sink. A management plan was developed for the preserve as coordinated by the City of Austin. (Ref: https://digital.lib.usf.edu/SFS0054761/00001)

An iron gate was installed at the entrance of Survey Line Cave by Mike Wharton in 1999. Mike Wharton was part of an architectural firm that was responsible for installing cave gates in Austin and Travis County. Western Oaks Karst Preserve would open to the public in 2005.

Today Survey Line Cave is located in a preserve called Western Oaks Karst Preserve with karst features such as Equinox Cave, Live Oak Cave, and Senatorial Sink is gated as this sinkhole is located in the environmentally sensitive Edwards Aquifer. TCMA installed a perimeter fence at the entrance to restrict access. (Ref: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263425729_Edwards_Aquifer_hydrogeology)

Survey Line Cave is now one of the 62 BCCP caves that are protected. A part this cave remains ungated though.

Survey Line Cave is located at 8816 Tiombe Bend, Austin, Texas, US 78749.