West Rim Cave is one of the lesser known secluded caves of Austin, Texas. This news article will explain the nature behind West Rim Cave and what West Rim Cave is. The other name of West Rim Cave is W98M.
West Rim Cave is located in the vicinity of West Rim Drive and Burney Drive, less than a mile north of the intersection of Far West Boulevard and Mesa Drive. West Rim Cave is located in the Central Austin area. West Rim Cave and Cotterell Cave are a part of Central Austin KFR being that these caves are located in the Central Austin area. (Ref: https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot/get-involved/aus/i35-se-inner-loop-rm1431/061121-tier-i-site-assessment-public-version.pdf)
However West Rim Cave is not a city-owned cave owned by the City of Austin. West Rim Cave is not protected under BCCP either. West Rim Cave remains undisturbed from any nearby development despite development which occurred decades prior. West Rim Cave is not is not owned by the City of Austin interestingly enough. (Ref: http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=207215)
The length of West Rim Cave is said to extend 45 feet in length. The depth of West Rim Cave is less than 4 feet deep. An entrance leads to a 3 to 4 foot drop with one passage going north and another passage going south in a different direction. Confines and perimeters of this cave are very much narrow with no standing room at all. All areas of this cave are cramped.
There are endangered species of insects living in this cave which include Texella reyesi (Bone Cave Harvestman). Texella reyesi (Bone Cave Harvestman) are found in clusters in/along the west-central edge of this karst fauna region. That is why West Rim Cave has been put on the List of Austin Area Caves with Endangered Species. (Ref: https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/Documents/R2ES/TX_Karst_Veni_2007_Austin_area_karst_zones.pdf, List of Austin Area Caves with Endangered Species as of 22 September 2006)
According to nckri.org, West Rim Cave is part of the known endangered karst species localities and does not affect the local karst zone. (Ref: www.nckri.org/about_nckri/investigations/NCKRI_RI_10.pdf)
Yet however, West Rim Cave is not protected under BCCP and is not owned by the City of Austin or BCCP interestingly enough. West Rim Cave remains intact and undisturbed from any nearby development. There appears to not be any gate covering the cave. (Ref: http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=207215)
Distribution of Texella reyesi (Bone Cave Harvestman) has been found in the geological and topographic features of West Rim Cave along with Cotterell Cave. Bone Cave harvestman can be found on the outer boundary of West Rim Cave which can be seen at an approximate distance. (Ref: https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/grants/wildlife/section-6/docs/invertebrates/e52_final_report.pdf)
Pogonognathellus arthopods have been discovered in this cave. Pogonognathellus is a genus of arthropods belonging to the family Tomoceridae. The Pogonognathellus arthopods are quite rare. (Ref: https://fauna-eu.org/cdm_dataportal/taxon/84f0400e-770b-40d0-8f31-4baf968a76a5)
The Misodema reticulata Melichar (Misodema reticulata) inhabits this cave. Misodema reticulata Melichar look like Cixiid or Achilid nymphs. Tropiduchid nymphs resemble Issids of such are rare. (Ref: https://bugguide.net/node/view/1436326)
There has been a loss of 4 known endangered karst invertebrate caves which include Beer Bottle Cave, Millipede Cave, Puzzle Pits Cave, and West Rim Cave. A loss of known endangered karst invertebrates has occurred in West Rim Cave. (Ref: BCCP p. 4-29)
The loss of endangered karst invertebrate include the following species: Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion (Tartarocreagris texana), Tooth Cave spider (Neoleptoneta myopica), Bee Creek Cave harvestman (Texella reddelli), Bone Cave harvestman (Texella reyesi), Tooth Cave ground beetle (Rhadine persephone), Kretschmarr Cave mold beetle (Texamaurops redelli), Golden-cheeked warbler, Black-capped vireo, and the Texabama croton. (Ref: http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=321787)
Overall there has been a loss of 38,349 acres worth of potential karst habitat (85% of what remains); and subsequent loss of currently undiscovered species and sites. Some loss of presently unknown populations may occur. This includes the loss of “few sites” outside of the known population of potential karsts and same as for the listed karst invertebrate species. (Ref: BCCP p. 2-19)
According to the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan, West Rim Cave does not support a diverse fauna and contains the most widely distributed federally-listed cave invertebrates. This is the most widely distributed of any endangered insects. (Ref: https://books.google.com/books?id=cTc3AQAAMAAJ&pg=SA4-PA30&lpg=SA4-PA30&dq=%22WEST+RIM+CAVE%22&source=bl)
Below is a history of West Rim Cave
West Rim Cave was originally first owned by William Lee Kemper for many years. West Rim Cave was located on a 38.11 acre tract of land. William Lee Kemper sold Fawn Ridge Development Corporation around 1963. Fawn Ridge Development Corporation conveyed the land and caves to Edward R. Barrow on a warranty deed on the date of December 29, 1964. West Rim Cave was and would be owned by Edward R. Barrow for many years. (Ref: Travis County Land Deeds, Volume 2892, Page 104)
Edward R. Barrow deeded and sold the land to Bill Milburn of Bill Milburn around the year 1973. Bill Milburn sold the land to the City of Austin in 1974. The property was given to the City of Austin to use as a park for recreational purposes for public use by the citizens of Austin. Richard C. Baker, vice president of Bill Milburn Inc., authorized the sale. (Ref: Travis County Land Deeds, Volume 5093, Pages 1683-1688)
However Edward R. Barrow still owned some of the parcels that were given to the city, which West Rim Cave and Long Point Drive Cave were located on. This led the City of Austin to sell back some of the land to Edward R. Barrow on a partition deed around 1976. Edward R. Barrow purchased some of his land back from the City of Austin during the mid-1970s. All of which happened during 1976 and 1977. (Ref: Travis County Land Deeds, Volume 53, Page 78)
The land and caves Edward R. Barrow owned was put into a trust called Edward R. Barrow Trust sometime during the late 20th century. Sarah Barrow Seline and Randall Ewing Kemper were trustees of the Edward R. Barrow Trust. Sarah Barrow Seline and Randall Ewing Kemper sold the land to PK-RE, LTD. on a special warranty deed with vendor’s lien in 2000. (Ref: Travis County Land Deeds, Instrument #2000037826)
PK-RE, LTD. sold the land and cave to Austin Canyon Rim Homeowners Association, Inc on a special warranty deed in 2002. Austin Canyon Rim Homeowners Association, Inc currently owns West Rim Cave. (Ref: Travis County Land Deeds, Instrument #200144115)
West Rim Cave located near West Rim Drive and Burney Drive, Austin, Texas, US 78731. The exact location and address of West Rim Cave is 7804 West Rim Drive, Austin, Texas, US 78731.
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