Diving toward bottom at Barton Springs Pool.
Now first off, be careful. This area is a federally protected natural habitat! That’s what the lifeguard barked out. No, not to me, but might as well have been. We’ve always known the cold-water springs to be the home of a rare salamander, but even I didn’t really think about not picking stuff up, like rocks, while diving around. And yeah, there’s some cool stuff down there. But just remember to cruise around carefully and disturb as very little as possible. It only takes a few dives to realize it’s a delicate ecosystem that is playing host to hundreds of swimmers above.
There are lots of tiny snails around the main spring and a few fish taking refuge in a crevice that leads to a big hole. The hole is much deeper than the rest of the area, so I’m thinking it’s a crater from the main spring flow, years before the recent man mad dam. It’s filled with small white pebbles and lined with a beautiful limestone miniature cliff that reflects the filtered sunlight.
Fish living in Barton Springs Pool.
It’s a fun dive and enough to cause a pressure change in the ears and presses the mask harder against your face. It takes a few times to build up the tolerance, and if you rarely dive below nine feet then ease toward the bottom of the hole over the course of a couple of dives.
In the distance, a girl rises to the surface after a jump from the diving board.
After you’re used to it you will start to explore a whole new world no matter how many times you say you’ve been to Barton Springs. Just remember to treat the area with tons of respect and also yourself. Stay safe and be aware of your surroundings. Many times people are swimming right above where you’re free-diving.
Tags: Austin, Barton Springs, Swimming