A dive into Sledgehammer Sink. One of Austin’s lesser known sinkholes.

Sledgehammer Sink is another one of Austin’s lesser known sinkholes. Not too many people know about this sinkhole because this sinkhole is in a relatively hidden location. This news article will explain what Sledgehammer Sink is.

Sledgehammer Sink is a geologic recharge feature that is a sinkhole with rapid filtration to the Northern Edwards Aquifer which contains a possible habitat for/of endangered karst invertebrate species. (Ref: https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=76741)

Brown beetle and the Two Cave Brown beetle are the endangered karst invertebrate species which inhabit Sledgehammer Sink/Dead Dauber Pit. (Ref: https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=192775)

Geologic and biologic assessments from 2004 identified a cluster of 5 recharge features with rapid filtration to the Northern Edwards Aquifer and a feature on the TxDOT property, known as "Dead Dauber Pit"/ "Sledgehammer Sink." Sledgehammer Sink is located directly in the proposed extension of North Lake Creek Parkway and within TxDOT's proposed Preserve. The proposed extension of North Lake Creek Parkway poses as a threat to the habitat of endangered karst invertebrate species. So TxDOT established a 450-foot buffer for Sledgehammer Sink/Dead Dauber Pit to protect possible habitat for endangered karst invertebrate species. (Ref: https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=66593)

Sledgehammer Sink is currently owned by TxDOT and is a feature on the TxDOT property.

Sledgehammer Sink is located across from 9500 North Lake Creek Parkway, Austin, Texas, US 78717.