Barton Springs Pool, one of Austin’s most iconic gathering spots, will temporarily close later this month as the city tackles long‑needed maintenance and safety improvements. The closure begins the week of February 23 and will continue through March 13, 2026, allowing crews to complete the Barton Springs Skimmer Bypass Project—a targeted effort to remove aging infrastructure dating back to the 1940s.

City officials say the project is essential for both public safety and environmental protection. During routine inspections, Austin Parks and Recreation and Austin Watershed Protection discovered that portions of the old, decommissioned bypass system had become undermined and potentially unstable. After a feasibility study, staff determined that removing the structure was the most effective solution, balancing cost, practicality, and project duration.

The work is unrelated to the emergency repair successfully completed at the pool in 2024, but it addresses a separate set of concerns that could affect long‑term stability.

With the pool already closed for construction, Austin Parks and Recreation plans to use the window to complete additional deferred maintenance ahead of the busy spring season. By scheduling the work during winter, the department hopes to minimize disruptions for swimmers and visitors.

To keep the public informed, the City has launched a dedicated Barton Springs Skimmer Bypass Project webpage, which will be updated throughout the construction period. Swimmers looking for alternatives can find a full list of other city pools and operating hours at AustinTexas.gov/Pools.

Protecting an Endangered Habitat

Because Barton Springs Pool sits within the habitat of the endangered Barton Springs salamander, the project includes extensive environmental safeguards. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reviewed and approved the work under the City’s Habitat Conservation Plan and Incidental Take Permit, confirming that removal of the bypass is allowed—and may even benefit the species by reconnecting habitat areas separated by erosion.

Watershed Protection staff will remain onsite throughout the project to monitor construction and ensure that habitat restoration occurs as planned.

Looking Ahead

While any closure of Barton Springs Pool is felt deeply by Austinites, city officials emphasize that this short‑term inconvenience will help preserve the pool’s safety, ecological health, and long‑term resilience. With work scheduled to wrap up by mid‑March, swimmers can expect the beloved spring-fed pool to reopen in time for the warmer months ahead.