Dead Drop Falls Dead Drop Falls is a location in . It is a cave which can only be reached by passing through Fort Dawnguard . Description . The cave contains a waterfall and a hole . There is a small lake at the bottom which can be reached by jumping down the hole . There are two paths at the bottom , each partially submerged in water . One is an ascending spiral which will eventually lead to a lever and upwards to the beginning of the cave and thereby its exit / entrance . The other path will lead to a big open area where several traps are located . Bridge puzzle . There is a bridge puzzle in this room . To lower both bridges and to solve subsequent puzzles the Dragonborn needs a projectile weapon ( such as a bow or crossbow ) , or any form of projectile magic ( such as Firebolt , Magelight or even shouts ) . First pull the lever , then shoot the target which hangs on the pillar behind the lever . Both bridges will be lowered . Alternately , pulling the lever so the first bridge is down and then pulling it again and sprinting across the bridge can get you across . Any followers will be trapped on the wrong side of the bridge , though they will re - spawn when you enter another area . The third and final bridge can be lowered by pulling an adjacent lever . This closes an iron gate at the platform the bridge leads to , while also closing another gate behind the first . Because of this alternation between the two gates , just as with the alternation of the two bridges earlier , it is impossible to pass through solely by operating the lever adjacent to the last bridge . In addition , the lever also operates the last bridge which provides access to the platform . Walk up to the closed gate and then turn around to face another target . There is also a chest which can be seen at water level , though it can be found by traditional exploring of the pool of water in this area as well . Shooting the target will open the locked gate , but close the one behind it . From inside the space between the gates , past the first opened gate and before the second closed gate , shoot the same target again and the next gate will open . The previous gate however will close and prevent backtracking . This area can be accessed again by completely passing through the next area , Dead Drop Mine ( below ) , and retracing steps back to the bottom of the falls and into the cavern . Alternatively , from the right position , an arrow or bolt can be shot through the bars of the gate to reactivate the target switch and open the door . In addition to the intended method of going through this puzzle , if the Dragonborn pulls the lever and then runs up bridges before they are fully upright , the bridge section of the puzzle can be skipped . Cavern with pressure plates . The gate must be opened by placing an object on all three floor pressure plates ( there is already a book on the left pressure plate ) , then shooting the pressure plate above the locked door . The items can be picked up after the gate is open or a follower can stand on a pressure plate and the Dragonborn on the last one . After the gate is open , it is safe to retrieve the items again . Facing this gate , a ledge can be seen to the right where a hidden chest can be found towards the back . It is possible to climb up by hopping on the steep rock slope directly to the right of the gate , then onto the ledge . Note : It is actually not necessary to place anything on the three pressure plates . When each plate is stepped on that plate remains active for approx . 10 seconds . This allows one to walk across all three floor plates and then quickly fire on the wall plate . If one has no items to activate the pressure plates , there is a barrel on the right of the room with three sacks of flour which can be used . Around the corner is another locked gate . It can be opened by shooting at the pressure plate above the gate . It will close in a short time , so it requires either sprinting through the hallway and gate before it closes or using the Whirlwind Sprint shout . There are several useful items in the next room . There are some Exploding Steel Bolts of Fire , Exploding Steel Bolts of Ice and Exploding Steel Bolts of Shock as well as a chest with random loot . The book " Confessions of a Khajiit Fur Trader " can be found on the table . The next door will lead to Dead Drop Mine . Dead Drop Mine . Dead Drop Mine contains four corundum ore veins , two crossbows , the non - skill books " The Aetherium Wars " and " The Sultry Argonian Bard , v1 " , and some other minor loot . It is only a passage back to the bottom of the falls , and thus allows for an exit from the falls by taking the ascending spiral path back to the exit / entrance to the cave described above .