Howard's Waterfall Cave Preserve Management Plan
Preserve Description | Make a Donation
Adopted 17 March 1993
Amended 26 May 2003
Amended 31 May 2003
History
Whether the cave was used by Native Americans or mined for saltpeter during the Civil War is unknown. Also a reference has been found to the mining of saltpeter at the "Trenton Cave Works" which is believed to be Howards Cave.
The cave was first officially reported to the NSS in 1945 by Ernest Ackerly. Around 1960, the first map of the cave was produced by the Atlanta Georgia Grotto, showing 7700 feet of passage. The cave achieved national notoriety on April 16, 1966 in what was known as the Howards Cave Disaster. Gasoline vapors from a leaking service station line accumulated in the cave and ignited while a group of Boy Scouts was visiting the cave. During the ensuing rescue, three persons, the scout leader and two rescuers, lost their lives.
From 1983-1987 the Georgia Speleological Survey led trips into the cave to resurvey the cave. This survey netted 3.02 miles of cave passage. During this mapping, in 1986, a new cave, separate for Howards but part of the same drainage system, was discovered. It is separated from Howards by an approximately 1500 foot long sump, which has been dived but did not connect.
Access Policy
The access policy will not change from the present open status. The cave is less than 40 feet from the side of a paved road, less than one mile from Trenton. Many locals now use the cave, as well as Boy Scout and church groups. The main entrance would be nearly impossible to gate, even if it were deemed advisable. The cave would remain open all year round to all persons.
Conclusion
Howard's Waterfall Cave is an important cave in the area. It is an excellent cave for teaching caving basics and conservation practices
Access and Visitation
1. While membership is not required for access to the Howards Waterfall Cave Property, the SCCi strongly recommends that visitors be members of the SCCi. Membership in the National Speleological Society is also encouraged.
2. Permission is not required to visit the property.
3. The SCCi owns the main (Waterfall) entrance and does not have permission to use the other entrances. All of the other entrances are closed.
4. To minimize impact, the SCCi prefers that groups visiting the cave be small. Please try to keep the number of people at the cave at one time to twelve (12) or fewer. The SCCi realizes that this may not always be possible. The intent is to avoid having a crowd at the cave for reasons of both conservation and safety.
5. Use of the property for any type of commercial activity, including caving or other recreational activities, is not allowed.
6. Camping, hunting, open fires, and consumption of alcohol are not allowed on the property.
7. To avoid parking and over-use problems during caving conventions and special events, we ask that access to the property will be limited during those events to trips organized through the SCCi.
8. Please keep noise to a minimum, and be discreet while changing clothes.
9. Modification of the caves or property, including the placement of bolts or other artificial anchors, is prohibited without permission from SCCi Board.
Commercial Use Statement
The Board of the Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. (SCCi) reaffirms its standing policy that bans the commercial use of our properties, and specifically, prohibits any activity where a charge of any type is made. Should you have any questions, contact the SCCi Chair at chair@scci.org .
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