INTRODUCTION:

The Indiana Karst Conservancy, Inc. has purchased the 37-acre Buddha Karst Preserve. The Conservancy will manage the caves on the Buddha Karst Preserve for recreational access and scientific study by responsible cavers while at the same time protecting these resources for future generations. The surface property will be managed to maintain the karst values and enhance the overall natural setting.

 

HISTORY OF THE CAVES:

Two large-entrance caves and several smaller ones are on the property. Buddha Cave is the largest and most-visited. Buddha Cave has likely been visited since people were in the area. The large entrance is located near the White River and undoubtedly was visited by Native Americans long before the nearby community of Buddha was settled.

The earliest reference from caving literature of Buddha Cave is found in the March 1961 CIG Newsletter, in a trip report by Ed Lavagnino. He writes, "We are calling this Buddha Cave temporarily until someone can supply the correct name, if there is one." Christian Cave, the downstream resurgence of Buddha Cave, but not located on the preserve, is also mentioned in the article; with an asterisk stating that this is a "temporary name."

John Reeves mentions in the October 1967 CIG Newsletter that the cave "currently known as Christian Cave" has palette formations in it.

In Volume 1,2 of the 1973 I.U. Speleo Times, an article states that "Buddha Cave gets its name from the town of Buddha near which the cave is located." Buddha and Christian caves were first documented to connect in November of 1966 by the Mound Caving Club of Miamisburg, Ohio (NSS News, February 1967). A photo of Buddha Cave by Steve Merry later appeared on the cover of the November 1979 issue of the same publication.

A formation photo in the lower stream passage of Buddha Cave was featured on the cover of Caving in the Heartland, the 1992 NSS Convention Guidebook (the convention was held in Salem, Indiana that year). The following description of subsurface resources has been partially paraphrased from the guidebook text.

 

SUBSURFACE RESOURCES:

Buddha Cave contains 3,119 feet of mapped passage with a vertical extent of 58 feet (see map, Appendix A). The entrance, impressive by Indiana standards, is in a large sink containing a normally-dry streambed which drains a sizable area to the east and a wet-weather spring. Partially obscured by greenery, the entrance is nonetheless visible from the county road. Just inside, a small perennial cave stream makes a brief appearance before disappearing in a sump at the far end of the entrance room. The upper level may be reached by climbing the ledge along the left wall. The upper level, now abandoned, is essentially dry. However, large logs and branches show that rare modern flooding still occurs. The ceiling, developed under phreatic conditions, maintains a very gentle gradient. For the first 525 feet, the passage is straightforward; then splits. Coincidentally, a large surface depression and pond lie almost directly over the old passage at this point.

Shortly beyond the split one encounters a 25-foot fissure which intersects the lower level. Beyond the fissure on the upper level, the passage continues for approximately 200 feet to a squeeze into a T-junction. This cross passage has a few 1970’s signatures. To the left the passage continues a short distance to a plug (this silted passage is speculated to lead back towards the entrance). To the right, the passage goes to a tight hole, beyond which one can see a larger passage.

Lower Buddha consists of a high, well-decorated and impressive canyon passage unmarred by vandalism. If the water is low you can work your way upstream through two near-sumps to another sump (the other side of the sump seen in the entrance room).

The lower, active level lies almost directly below the abandoned levels in most of the cave, but with its steeper gradient it cuts down through the geologic bedding to progressively greater depths until leveling-out at a depth of 58 feet. This lower limit seems to be set by an impermeable rock unit (likely shale), and creates conditions of dangerous flooding. Vegetal debris on ceilings of these areas shows temporary ponding to 13-16 feet, sumping numerous areas and isolating others.

The map profile of the lower level (from a 135° view) shows the bedrock ceiling has the same gentle gradient as the upper level. Downcutting in vadose conditions has created the striking canyon of sections of the lower level. This canyon was likely continuous throughout the stream-way, and the low clearance at the near-sumps are nearly all associated with extensive deposition of speleothems at roof level that nearly fill the passage below.

As could be expected, the stream level is wet; but in time of drought, a rapid through-trip could be possible, entering Buddha and exiting via Christian Cave. The stream resurgence is just below the large, scenic entrance, opening in the wooded escarpment southwest of the large open field that overlies most of the cave. A group of springs drop a further 30 feet or so to the valley bottom, then continue on to West Fork White River. The entrance to Christian Cave is not located on the preserve. Therefore, this through-trip is not suggested.

According to Dr Julian Lewis, Buddha Cave contains an undescribed species of Pseudanophthalmus beetle that is endemic to just Buddha as presently known. The cave also contains the isopod Caecidotea stygia, and an amphipod which is either Crangonyx undescribed species ("indianensis" manuscript name) or Crangonyx packardi.

Chase Cave lies about 200 yards northwest of the entrance of Buddha Cave, in the northernmost wall of a much smaller sink. The five-foot-high entrance immediately opens into a fairly large room about 30 feet by 50 feet in size, partially filled with mud-covered and somewhat unstable breakdown. Two crawls leave this room to the east and neither have been fully explored.

An intermittent stream flows across the entrance room from the north and exits the cave just below the entrance. The source of water for this stream is likely a large, trash-filled swallow-hole about 1000 feet to the north. The surface stream from the cave almost immediately finds its way underground again in a swallow-hole located in the same sink. The nature of the cave suggests a small gulf or karst window in which ceiling collapse has exposed the passage and forced the intermittent stream to the surface. The stream has not been dye-traced. It may be an in-feeder to the stream in Buddha Cave, or (more likely) may be the source of water for one of the springs near the southwest corner of the preserve.

Chase Pit Cave consists of a small pit located about 200 yards west of Buddha Cave. The entrance is in a steep-sided sinkhole directly south of Chase Cave. It's been reported that the 15-foot pit opens into a small room with a stream, and that a steel cable was once used to facilitate entry. At the time of purchase, this pit was choked with debris, including at least ten large rolls of woven-wire fencing. This fencing will require removal before further exploration can be pursued.

Another interesting karst feature is located in the sink about halfway between Chase Cave and Buddha Cave. This feature consists of an enlarged joint opening to the surface, oriented roughly east-west. The highly elongated "entrance" is about 10 feet deep and 15 feet long, but less than two feet wide. A small stream was once observed flowing at the bottom. Much mud is currently slumping into the slot; the immediate area is very unstable and entry is neither possible nor desirable.

All cave passages on the preserve are formed in the Salem Limestone, or at the Salem/St Louis contact. The caves on the preserve are subject to flooding and should only be entered in dry weather when rain is not predicted. Other cave passages may occur on the property and are known to be present on adjacent properties. As of July 2001 the preserve has yet to be fully explored and inventoried.

 

SUBSURFACE MANAGEMENT:

Buddha Cave, and the other caves on the property, will be managed as natural, wild caves. No improvements for the convenience of the visitors will be allowed or desired. All bolts and anchors present at the vertical drop(s) will be removed, and placing of new bolts or anchors is prohibited. Digging or other alterations for exploration or expansion of the caves is prohibited without prior approval of the IKC board.

Cave restoration (other than trash removal) is limited to IKC-sponsored workdays and similar events. The purpose is to keep all restoration methods consistent with IKC approved practices. Contemporary signatures and dates (e.g.: in the upper level near the clay fill) will be removed or obliterated.

Due to the concerns about the impact of food, cooking, elimination, and the like, no camping will be allowed in the caves.

 

CAVE ACCESS POLICY:

The caves are is open to all organized, responsible cavers. Those wishing to visit the caves on the property must contact the cave patron to obtain a permit. If the patron is unavailable, the property manager is the authorized backup to issue permits. All persons entering the cave must sign a liability release, follow surface and subsurface rules established by the IKC, and agree to protect the cave's natural resources. Entry beyond the drip-line of any cave on the property is considered caving and requires a permit and liability release.

The cave patron can authorize or deny ordinary (recreational) cave trips. Trips with some extra-ordinary purpose require IKC Board approval. The cave patron may deny trips if there are concerns about the cavers’ capability (poor gear, etc.). However, the patron is not expected to certify a caver's competence.

For safety purposes, and to minimize impact on the cave, the recommended number of participants on a trip is no fewer than three, nor more than ten cavers. The patron will attempt to schedule trips so that no more than one group is in the caves at a time. A minimum of two participants in each group must be vertically competent. All cavers using a cable ladder must also be on belay. There must be an adult of the immediate family present for every child under the age of 12. Youth groups, and organizations such as the Boy Scouts, are not permitted to visit the caves at this time.

Prior to the trip, the trip leader will receive a liability waiver form (Appendix B) and the visitation rules to be followed (Appendix C) while on the property. Participants under 18 years of age must have a parent's or legal guardian's signature on the liability waiver form. The trip leader will also receive a Letter of Permission (Appendix D) which serves to verify that the group has received authorization to enter the caves. Each caver's vehicle is required to prominently display a signed copy of this Letter of Permission while in the cave. Permission to visit Buddha Cave implies permission to also visit the other caves on the preserve.

The trip leader will be responsible for having each participant read and sign a copy of the liability waiver form, then return the waivers to the patron before the trip. The trip leader will also inform all the participants of the visitation rules before entering the property. The rules cover the maximum number of participants per trip, where to park, appropriate precautions while changing clothes before and after the trip, rules to assure a low profile, the specific path to take from the parking area to the cave, precautions related to the weather, and information pertaining to emergencies. Any improper behavior reported to the patron may result in those persons or the grotto being barred from future visits.

The release forms will be kept on file for at least two years. A current release is required for each caver each time the cave is visited. The cave patron will maintain a log of trips and visitors to the cave to assess visitation impact on the resource. The patron, with assistance from the property manager, will prepare a report on visitation and impacts and present it to the IKC Board on an annual basis.

Monetary compensation of the trip leader (cave-for-fee) is strictly prohibited. The Conservancy will also vigorously prosecute any violations of the Indiana Cave Resource Protection Act, IC 35-43-1-3 (Appendix E), or any other vandalism on the property.

 

SURFACE RESOURCES:

A legal description of the property is attached (Appendix F). The preserve consists of 36.84 acres of mostly pastured, rolling karst terrain. The only wooded areas are along the edges of sinks that were too steep for hay harvest.

All drainage of the property is subterranean. Several springs are found to the southwest, both on and off the property, and are associated with a shallow west-facing escarpment. Beyond this escarpment all flow becomes surface again until its confluence with the West Fork White River.

A number of sinkholes are found on the property, several of which take water after rains. The more significant sinks are found in the northeastern two-thirds of the preserve, which corresponds to the location of the caves and other major karst features. The deepest sink, containing Buddha Cave, contains an intermittent stream. Quarrying appears to have occurred on the west wall above the entrance to Buddha Cave. The historical significance of this is not currently known.

Two sinkholes have become plugged with clay fill and serve as ponds. The ponds are located in the south-central portion of the preserve. Both ponds are fairly shallow and may dry up completely in drought conditions.

 

SURFACE MANAGEMENT:

Initially, some active management of surface resources will be necessary. The preserve has recently been surveyed, but no fences exist to clearly delineate the property boundaries to the north and south. The IKC will pursue setting intermediate survey markers and install fencing as soon as possible. The additional fencing will be 4' high and blend with the existing fence lines.

No forested areas will be modified and no trees will be cut other than for safety considerations or to maintain road/trail access. Re-introduction of trees native to the Mitchell karst plain natural region is encouraged, the immediate need being along the eastern roadway and south property line. Such native deciduous trees will be introduced and maintained using current best practices outlined by the DNR Division of Forestry. Volunteer trees seeded from wooded areas west of the property will not be removed unless the species are noxious or non-native. Controlled burning or minimal application of herbicides may be pursued as needed for vegetative management.

A vehicle gate exists along the roadway that allows entry onto the property at its highest elevation. Due to good drainage and accessibility, this is the optimal location for visitor parking. The gate will initially be secured but not locked. Should problems arise, such that the site becomes a "party spot," a combination lock will be considered; with the combination freely available to IKC members. It will be necessary to repair the gate-posts and harden the parking area with coarse aggregate. In the meantime, the parking area will be maintained by periodic mowing. The primary parking site will be about 5000 square feet in size. Initially, only a portion of the lot will be hardened, with the remainder left in grass as overflow parking. The entire lot may eventually be further delineated with wooden posts. A sufficient gap will be left between two of the posts, but secured by a cable or chain, to allow access for maintenance equipment and emergency vehicles. Planting of trees and/or shrubs to visually shield the parking area from the adjacent property owners will be considered. Any signs will be small in order to maintain the natural aesthetics of the property and avoid attracting attention.

There is an immediate need to delineate a trail to the cave. The potential also exists for a self-guided, interpretive karst trail. Given that most of the karst features are located on the perimeter of the preserve, it seems appropriate for the trail to skirt these features and also circle the property. Interpretive signs or trail markers may be placed at points of interest, but no boardwalks, bridges, overlooks, or similar improvements will be installed. Occasional mowing may be used to maintain the trail until sufficient foot traffic hardens the path. Other measures (such as water bars or aggregate) may be necessary to control erosion on steeper sections of the paths. Tree planting to reduce the visual impact of the paths will be considered.

Riding of horses, ATVs, dirt bikes, or similar conveyances is prohibited on the preserve. Hunting, trapping, and fishing are also prohibited, except as needed for appropriate wildlife management; and will be performed in a manner in keeping with state wildlife regulations. Because threatened aquatic plant species may be introduced to the pond(s), swimming and bathing in these ponds may need to be restricted. The discharging of firearms, fireworks, or other explosive devices will not be allowed. Digging or other surface modifications are prohibited without prior approval of the IKC board. Collecting on the property is prohibited with the exception of mushrooms, berries, and nuts. The IKC will not maintain any camping facilities on the preserve.

Any locations on the property where trash has been improperly disposed will be located and the trash removed. The woven-wire fencing will be removed from the entrance to Chase Pit Cave, and the cave will be allowed to revert to its natural condition.

No permanent structures, other than a small kiosk near the parking area, will be placed on the site. The purpose of this kiosk is to explain ownership and access rules, and to display the list of donors who helped purchase the property. Specific references to the caves will not be included to avoid attracting the curious.

 

SURFACE ACCESS:

Access to the property will be solely through the vehicle gate at the parking area. Walk-in access to the property by the public is neither encouraged nor discouraged, and permission to hike on the property is not required. However, other surface activities require permission and coordination through the management team.

 

 

BUDDHA CAVE VISITATION RULES

The following rules should be reviewed by all visitors BEFORE ENTERING ONTO THE BUDDHA KARST PRESERVE. These rules must be followed to protect the caves, the property, the IKC, and all visitors. It is also important to follow these rules to maintain a good working relationship with the adjacent landowners. Remember you are a guest on this property and represent all cavers that come after you, PLEASE be on your best behavior.

1. Follow all rules and requests of the Buddha Cave Patron.
2. Park in the location designated by the cave patron. Close the parking lot gate behind you.
3. Keep a low profile at all times while on the property. Talk quietly and no horse play.
4. Entering into any cave on the property beyond the drip-line requires a signed waiver. Participants younger than 18 requires a parent/guardian signature.
5. Remain on designated trails and do NOT trespass onto adjacent properties.
6. The group size for Buddha Cave should be no fewer than 3, nor more than 10. At least two of the participants must be vertically competent.
7. Youth groups are not allowed in Buddha Cave.
8. Each participant under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult of his immediate family.
9. All participants must wear a helmet and have three independent sources of light. Proper foot wear and clothing should be worn.
10. Vertical gear or a cable ladder is needed to reach the lower section of Buddha Cave. Do not attempt to free-climb.
11. Do not enter the caves under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
12. Do not enter the caves during high water conditions. Buddha Cave is known to COMPLETELY flood to the ceiling.
13. Do not change clothes in sight of the road or nearby property owners.
14. Before leaving the parking area, be sure to pick up all trash, clothing, cigarette butts, etc.
15. Tell someone where you have gone and when you will return. For rescue call the cave rescue call-out pager at (812)351-0781, or the Indiana State Police at (812)332-4411.

 

 

BUDDHA KARST PRESERVE LEGAL DESCRIPTION

Part of the northeast quarter of Section 16, Township 4 North, Range 1 East, Lawrence County, Indiana, and more particularly described as follows:

Beginning at a 5/8 inch rebar with cap set on the west line of said northeast quarter south one (01) degree, fifty-four (54) minutes, three (03) seconds east 1265.92 feet from a stone found marking the northwest corner of said northeast quarter; thence north eighty-one (81) degrees, thirty-eight (38) minutes, seven (07) seconds east 1191.42 feet to a 5/8 inch rebar with cap set; thence south ten (10) degrees, nineteen (19) minutes, fifty-six (56) seconds east 275.31 feet to a wood post found; thence north seventy-nine (79) degrees, thirty-eight (38) minutes, thirty-six (36) seconds east 270.00 feet to an iron pipe found in the centerline of a county road; thence along said centerline the following bearings and distances: south four (04) degrees, twelve (12) minutes, twenty-two (22) seconds east 87.06 feet; thence south fifteen (15) degrees, forty-eight (48) minutes, seventeen (17) seconds west 65.52 feet; thence south seventeen (17) degrees, sixteen (16) minutes, zero (00) seconds west 289.29 feet; thence south twenty-four (24) degrees, forty-nine (49) minutes, thirty-three (33) seconds west 321.72 feet; thence south twenty-three (23) degrees, eleven (11) minutes, fifty-eight (58) seconds west 175.96 feet; thence south seventeen (17) degrees, twenty-two (22) minutes, seven (07) seconds west 210.23 feet; thence south thirty (30) degrees, twenty-nine (29) minutes, forty (40) seconds west 31.30 feet; thence leaving said centerline north eighty-nine (89) degrees, forty-seven (47) minutes, fifty-three (53) seconds west 1075.11 feet to a 5/8 inch rebar with cap set on the west line of said northeast quarter (passing a 5/8 inch rebar with cap set at 25.00 feet); thence along said west line north one (01) degree, fifty-four (54) minutes, three (03) seconds west 1153.29 feet to the point of beginning.

Containing 36.84 acres, more or less.