Why is swimming at Jacobs well suspended?


Why is swimming at Jacobs well suspended? As of June 29, 2022, swimming will not be allowed at Jacob's Well Natural Area (JWNA) for the foreseeable future. The threat of high bacteria levels, other pollutants and poor visibility conditions are unsafe for swimming.


What is happening with Jacobs well?

For the second year in a row, the iconic spring-fed swimming hole has stopped flowing, the consequence of drought and overpumping. It was a scorching day in July 2022 when I last peered into Jacob's Well.


Why is Jacobs well closed for swimming?

Jacob's Well is currently experiencing historically low water conditions that are unsafe for swimming. Please check back here for updates regarding the 2024 swim season. Please note that the park is still open for hiking and viewing the spring during our regular hours.


Does Jacobs well have a bottom?

The well takes an initial plunge through 23 feet of well-lit water to an apparent bottom, but then it veers off into a descent of increasing darkness. I visited with Gregg Tatum who has logged over 250 dives there. He says it is no place for a novice.


Are there animals in Jacobs well?

Temperature of the water in Jacob's Well remains a near-constant 68°F and visibility is typically excellent. The spring provides habitat to numerous species of fish (principally sunfish and perch); turtles; aquatic insects; crustaceans; and, most notably, the cave-adapted Fern Bank salamander (Eurycea pterophilia).


Is Blue Hole the same as Jacobs well?

Jacob's Well is perhaps the longest underwater cave in Texas and an artesian spring that delivers several thousand gallons of water per minute. It acts as the headwaters to Cypress Creek that flows through Wimberley into Blue hole and then to the Blanco River.


How long has Jacobs well been closed?

The swim spot has been closed since June 2022. It has been over a year since one of the most popular swim spot in the Texas Hill Country had enough water for guests to enjoy.