City of Austin

Barton Springs Pool will temporarily close for the Barton Springs Skimmer Bypass Project beginning the week of February 23 through March 13, 2026. The project addresses safety and environmental concerns by removing some or all sections of the 1940s skimmer bypass.

During the closure, Austin Parks and Recreation will attempt to complete additional deferred maintenance projects within the pool area in preparation for the spring season. Staff have expeditiously scheduled work to be completed during the winter months to minimize the impact on pool goers.

Austin Parks and Recreation has created the Barton Springs Skimmer Bypass Project webpage to inform the public of the project and will continue to update the page as needed throughout the project. Alternative swimming locations and operational hours can also be viewed on Austin Parks and Recreation webpages AustinTexas.gov/Pools.

Background:

During routine inspection and maintenance, Austin Parks and Recreation and Austin Watershed Protection discovered that a portion of old infrastructure (decommissioned “bypass” from the 1940s) was undermined and potentially unstable. After a feasibility study, staff determined removal was the best alternative based on cost, feasibility, and duration. It should be noted that the existing conditions are unrelated to the successful emergency repair made at Barton Springs Pool in 2024.

Since this project is within an endangered species habitat, the City will implement numerous avoidance and minimization measures to protect the Barton Springs salamander. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services has concurred that removal and remediation is allowed under the City’s Barton Springs Pool Habitat Conservation Plan and Incidental Take Permit. These activities are also intended to be a benefit to the species by reconnecting habitat separated by erosion. Austin Watershed Protection staff will be onsite throughout the project to monitor activities and remediate habitat.