Barton Springs Pool reopening delayed to March 21 as crews extend skimmer bypass maintenance work

Extended closure follows underwater conditions found during removal of aging infrastructure

Barton Springs Pool will remain closed beyond its previously announced March 13 reopening target as city crews continue work tied to a long-planned maintenance effort inside the pool. The pool is now tentatively scheduled to reopen on Saturday, March 21, with city officials warning that weather conditions could still affect the timeline.

The closure is tied to the Barton Springs Skimmer Bypass Project, a construction and remediation effort focused on removing and mitigating a decommissioned skimmer bypass dating to the 1940s. The city has described the aging structure as presenting safety and environmental concerns and has said the project was scheduled in late winter to reduce disruption ahead of the busier spring season.

Why the schedule changed

During removal of infrastructure within the pool, crews encountered site conditions that require additional time and specialized equipment to complete underwater work. City officials said the work involves divers and that safety considerations for divers and staff are the primary factor driving the delay.

While the pool’s closure began the week of February 23, the original plan anticipated completing the skimmer bypass work and reopening by March 13, 2026. The updated schedule reflects the time needed to address conditions discovered once the project moved into active underwater phases.

Environmental protections remain a central requirement

Barton Springs Pool sits within a sensitive habitat that includes the Barton Springs salamander. City officials said project activities are being carried out with protections in place for salamander habitat within the pool. The city has stated that the project is being conducted under the city’s existing habitat conservation framework and that monitoring and remediation measures are being implemented during construction.

City officials have emphasized that work inside the pool must balance construction needs with habitat protection requirements.

What work is being done during the closure

In addition to the skimmer bypass work, Parks and Recreation staff indicated they would attempt to complete other deferred maintenance projects within the pool area while it is closed, taking advantage of the downtime created by the larger infrastructure effort.

• Removal and mitigation of the decommissioned 1940s skimmer bypass structure
• Underwater work requiring diver operations and specialized equipment
• Additional maintenance tasks inside the pool area, where feasible, during the closure window

What visitors should expect next

The city has labeled March 21 as a tentative reopening date and noted that weather may create further delays. Until reopening is confirmed, visitors planning spring outings to Zilker Park and Barton Springs should anticipate continued restricted access to the pool itself and should monitor for updated operational announcements as work progresses.