Barton Springs Pool closed at the end of August and no timeline has been given for when it will reopen. City officials have said an update on the pool is coming soon. But for now, here’s a breakdown of everything we know about the closure:
⛔ The Pool Closed Due to a Leaky Pipe.
On Aug. 29, city staff noticed that water was being pulled into an old skimmer pipe in the pool. The pipe was originally installed in the 1940s, kept storm water out of the pool, and used to run the entire length of the pool. Most of the pipe was decommissioned in the 1990s, except for a portion that now runs from the shallow end of the pool to a tunnel underneath a sidewalk by the bathhouse.
Staffers found two holes in the pipe – one that is two feet long and a foot wide.
🏊 The Pipe Makes Swimming Dangerous.
The two holes in the pipe have strong suction and could trap a swimmer underwater, the city said.
🚧 Repairs May Take Weeks.
Repairs, which could possibly start this week, involve filling the end of the pipe with concrete. To do that, the city is closing off parts of Barking Springs and pumping water out of it. The work is expected to cost $100,000. Deep Eddy Pool is open at 6 a.m. during the repairs for those who need an early swim fix!
A portion of Barking Springs is closed off as workers repair a leaky pipe. (City of Austin)
🐶 Parts of Barking Springs Will Remain Open.
Parts of Barking Springs, commonly called “the free side” of the pool below the dam, will be open during repairs, but it might not be the best place to bring your pup. Workers will be using the area to stage construction equipment and potentially build temporary structures.
🤔 This Pipe Has a Leaky Past.
Holes were discovered in the pipe in 2018, but the city said those were smaller and easier to repair, officials said.
Want a look at the holes? Check out this sorrowfully soundtracked video from the city.
