Jacob's Well closed due to flooding from increased rain

Jacob’s Well Natural Area closed to the public Friday after heavy rain on Thursday caused minor flooding.

The artesian spring has been closed to the public for swimming due to low water levels since June 2022. Before Thursday’s rain, the well had only a few inches of water, and the flooding spiked the water levels to over 7 feet. The water levels have since leveled out to about 1.33 feet.

Jacob’s Well in Hay’s County feeds millions of gallons of water into Cypress Creek and the Blanco River. The spring provides drinking water and supports fishing, swimming and farming for millions in Texas. While Jacob's Well has been closed for swimming, the hiking trails and other activities have remained open year-round.

Low water levels a chronic problem for Jacob's Well

While the rain gave Jacob’s Well a temporary boost, low water levels have become a chronic problem for the spring. This year marks the fourth in a row that Jacob’s Well has been closed for public swimming due to the ongoing drought.

According to community advocates, including water preservation nonprofit The Watershed Association, the well’s low water levels are worsened by utility company Aqua Texas consistently overpumping water from the Trinity Aquifer, the main water source for Jacob’s Well. While Texas Aqua’s permit only allows it to pump 90 million gallons per year, a 2024 Texas Monthly investigation found it has pumped almost double that every year since 2022.