Barton Springs Pool Closure Extended Due to Aging Infrastructure

Austin’s iconic Barton Springs Pool will remain closed longer than expected as crews working on a maintenance project encounter complications with aging infrastructure beneath the pool.

The pool is now tentatively scheduled to reopen March 21, according to a Tuesday update from the city of Austin. Officials had previously expected the pool to reopen before March 14.

The extended closure will allow workers to safely complete the Barton Springs Skimmer Bypass Project, which involves removing and mitigating a decommissioned skimmer bypass structure dating to the 1940s.

City officials said crews encountered unexpected conditions while removing the aging infrastructure inside the pool, requiring additional time and specialized equipment for underwater work.

“Diver and staff safety are a top priority in completing the project work,” the city said in a statement.

Crews discovered the deteriorating infrastructure during routine inspections earlier this year. Officials said parts of the original bypass structure — built to manage Barton Creek flow — had become unsupported after decades of flood erosion, creating the potential for pieces to collapse into the pool.

The city closed Barton Springs in late February to remove the structure before a major flood event could damage it and force a longer shutdown.

While work continues, city staff said they are maintaining protections for the endangered Barton Springs salamander, which lives in the pool’s spring-fed habitat. Officials said environmental safeguards remain in place while crews complete the project.

Weather could still affect the reopening timeline, the city said.