Austin's Barton Springs Pool reopens after city finishes upgrades

Barton Springs Pool completes infrastructure update

Barton Springs Pool reopens on March 21, and its just in time for the start of spring and warmer temperatures.

AUSTIN, Texas - The Barton Springs Pool will reopen on Saturday, March 21. 

The pool has been closed since February as the city worked on the Barton Springs Skimmer Bypass Project.

What we know:

The city said crews completed the Barton Springs Skimmer Bypass Project this week. 

The project focused on two infrastructure features that managed creek flow from Barton Creek, known as bypass features. The original system was built in the 1940s. A larger, redesigned bypass was built in 1975, and the original was decommissioned at that time.

During construction, the city said environmental protections for the sensitive salamander habitat were monitored by Austin Watershed Protection. The changes will help support a more stable environment in this critical habitat.

What is the Barton Springs Skimmer Bypass Project?

Dig deeper:

Since the construction of the 1975 bypass, several flooding events have happened at Barton Springs, causing damage to the existing pipe.

"Some of the floods and the flow of the water had taken out rocks from underneath it, so that if there was a tremendous amount of weight placed on top or a large flood, it could have collapsed. And if it collapsed, there's a chance it would have taken part of the existing infrastructure that we use," said Lucas Massie, assistant director of the Austin Parks and Recreation Department.

To prevent future issues, the Austin Watershed Protection and Parks and Recreation departments removed the old material. 

Massie says the removal was complex.

"We weren't able to drain the pool. We hired a contractor that had divers and was able to get a large hundred-foot section of concrete out of the pool," said Massie.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Barton Springs Pool closing for upgrades

The Barton Springs Pool is set to temporarily close later this month for maintenance.

The project was expected to last three weeks, but was extended by a week due to mechanical issues. The drought also added to the challenge.

"Since we're in a drought and the water tables very low and our flow rate within the pool or remaining, it complicates our processes kind of greatly," said Massie.

Two divers used underwater jackhammers and drills to break up and remove the old concrete and pipe.

"Break it up into much smaller pieces, but we're still talking about hundreds and thousands of pounds. And so they would inflate lift bags and lift them and float it down the creek to get it out," said Massie.

Massie says now that the material is out, and the salamander habitat is restored, the pool is ready to reopen.

"I know it's been a longer closure than people like, but it's something we did proactively to make sure that the pool is going to be there for generations to come," said Massie. 

What you can do:

For those who want to buy tickets to the pool, you can purchase tickets using the free ATXSwims app. You can also buy tickets onsite at the kiosks or counter.