Barton Springs Pool will likely remain closed for weeks while the city works to repair leaking pipes the Parks and Recreation Department has deemed a public safety hazard.

What happened

The parks department announced the pool's temporary closure for maintenance on Aug. 29. The closure was extended following a review by multiple city departments the next day.

After an inspection early Aug. 30, staff determined a pair of large holes in a 1940s-era skimmer pipe beneath the pool were pulling in creek water below the Barton Springs dam. Parks department contractors are now working with Austin Water and the Watershed Protection Department on the maintenance project.

The pool's ongoing closure will allow crews to lower its water level and complete repairs, with a timeline now estimated at "several weeks." Some of the "Barking Springs" area just outside of the municipal pool will also be closed off to allow for dam access.


"Barton Springs Pool is Austin's crown jewel, and we want nothing more than to make the repairs quickly and safely. As we learn more about the timeline for repairs, we'll keep all residents up to date," interim Parks and Recreation Director Angela Means said in a statement.

The maintenance issue is unrelated to the Joan Means Khabele Bathhouse rehabilitation project nearby, according to the city.

A closer look

In a Sept. 3 update, the parks department said the water being pulled into an abandoned pipe had created a significant safety risk, "up to and including loss of life."
Holes were visible beneath Barton Springs Pool prior to temporary repairs, creating small whirlpools in the spring water. (Courtesy Austin Parks and Recreation Department)
Holes were visible beneath Barton Springs Pool prior to temporary repairs, creating small whirlpools in the spring water. (Courtesy Austin Parks and Recreation Department)
Ongoing repairs to permanently address the pipeline issue follow temporary work over the Labor Day holiday weekend aimed at halting water loss at Barton Springs. A long-term fix will take public safety into account alongside environmental considerations, including protecting the endangered Barton Springs blind salamander, according to the parks department.


While Barton Springs Pool remains closed, Deep Eddy Pool will be open early at 6 a.m. daily.

Other city pool locations can be found online, and updates on closures across Austin's park system, including at Barton Springs, are available from the city.