The
Barton Springs Aquifer is a marvelous and intricate hydro-geological system that
we are just now starting to understand. The Aquifer underlies approximately 364
square miles of several watersheds in southern Travis and northern Hays
Counties, and discharges more than 30 million gallons of water a day at Barton
Springs, the fourth largest springs in Texas. The Barton Springs Aquifer is the
“middle” segment of the Edwards Aquifer. It is a federally designated
“sole-source” Aquifer and provides drinking water for more than 45,000
people. The Aquifer is the home of an endangered species, the Barton Springs
salamander (eurycea sosorum), that lives nowhere else in the world.
People from all over
the world enjoy the restorative powers of the cool waters of Barton Springs
Pool, a natural limestone swimming hole that is one of nature’s great
treasures.
The Aquifer is under
unprecedented stress because of increased pumping from wells and increased
development in its recharge and contributing zones. But, with occasional
exceptions, the water is still pure and abundant, as it has been since the
earliest evidence of human habitation about 11,000 years ago.
