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WHAT IS THE GRAVEL BAR?
The gravel bar is an accumulation of debris and silty
sediment in what was once known as the deep end of the
pool behind the downstream dam. The debris ranges from
pebbles to softball sized stones to boulders bigger than
babies.
WHERE DID THE GRAVEL BAR COME FROM?
Barton Springs sits at the downstream end of a 115 sq mile
river drainage whose natural course carries water and debris
into the river. The dams built to create Barton Springs also
created a barrier that traps debris from every large flood
(those that top the upstream dam of the pool). The current
gravel bar is an accumulation of almost 20 years of debris.
HOW DOES THE GRAVEL BAR AFFECT THE WATER QUALITY OF THE
POOL?
The flood debris traps an extraordinary amount of sediment
in the pool which is easily disturbed by swimmers and
bathers which in turn makes the water more murky more
often.
DOES THE GRAVEL BAR AFFECT THE FLOW OF WATER IN THE POOL?
Flow in Barton Springs is determined by the output of the
springs. However, the gravel bar impedes the natural flow of
the pool as it has completely filled in the original creekbed
channel. If left unattended, the accumulating debris would
eventually convert our swimming pool into a wading pool.
Continue reading “FAQs regarding the Gravel Bar”
