In a statement, county officials highlighted high bacteria levels and other pollutants as well as poor visibility, making for conditions that are considered unsafe. However, hiking and outdoor activities other than swimming are allowed.
“Our parks staff saw that the water was stagnant, and there was some algae sitting on top of the water, so it was out of an abundance of caution that they decided to not allow swimming,” said Kim Hilsenbeck, director of communications for Hays County, in an email. “We could use a whole lot more rain.”
Reservations are required to access swimming at Jacob’s Well Natural Area. In the statement, the county said while all sales are final, they will work with individuals who might have reservations affected by the closure “given the unusual circumstances.”
The Jacob’s Well Natural Area—located at 1699 Mt. Sharp Road just north of Wimberley and Woodcreek—is an 81-acre county park that surrounds the well, a spring from the Trinity Aquifer that serves as the headwaters for Cypress Creek and feeds to Blue Hole Regional Park and the Blanco River. The deepest part of the Jacob’s Well cavern system is 140 feet, and the water temperature stays a constant 68 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Hays County Parks and Recreation Department.
