Barton Springs Pool will close later this month for maintenance. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images
Barton Springs Pool will temporarily close for nearly three weeks beginning later this month as crews address a deteriorating piece of infrastructure that poses safety and environmental risks.
Why it matters: The area is home to the endangered Barton Springs salamander, and protecting the ecosystem is critical for their survival.
What's happening: The pool has two bypass structures designed to redirect water from Barton Creek during floods.
The newer one, built in 1975, runs beneath the walkway on the north side of the pool.
It replaced an earlier bypass built in the 1940s, which was later redirected into the newer system.
Zoom in: Years of flooding have damaged the 1940s structure, including an encased pipe.
Recent studies by the city's Watershed Protection Department found that the structure could collapse, which could become a safety hazard for swimmers and threaten the endangered salamander habitat.
City officials say they'll protect the springs' grounds during demolition and "enhance salamander habitat if possible."
What's next: Beginning the week of Feb. 23 through March 13, crews will remove some or all of the 1940s bypass structure.
