Remove the Barton Springs Pool Gravel Bar
Mayor & Council Members, City of Austin
P.O. Box 1088
Austin, Texas 78767
Reference: Barton Springs Pool gravel bar must be removed.
Dear Friends,
We write to support the city staff's plan to remove the gravel bar from Barton Springs Pool. The gravel bar is a large collection of flood debris (1500 cubic yards of gravel and boulders, and growing) that is spread over the downstream portion of the pool. The Barton Springs Pool Master Plan, which was developed to end decades of neglect at the pool, rightly calls for removing the gravel bar.
Removing the gravel bar is part of an overall effort to restore the pool to a more natural state. In a natural free-flowing creek, the flood debris would be washed down the creek. Instead, the dam that forms Barton Springs Pool traps the flood debris, and the flood debris acts as a second dam, trapping more flood debris.
The giant bulge grows inexorably, slowly filling the pool and increasing stagnation. It also traps silt, building up a deep oozing sludge on the bottom behind its rocky wall. When the pool is full of swimmers, they stir up the sediment, turning the water thickly murky.
Once flood debris was dredged from the pool regularly, but the debris has not been thoroughly cleaned out since 1991. This was part of a pattern of neglect.
Swimmers rebelled against the neglect of the pool in 2006, and began organizing volunteer cleaning sessions. We called for action. After a long public process, the Barton Springs Pool Master Plan was written, urgent short-term projects were funded, and the long-term projects were adopted.
Among the short-term projects is removal of the gravel bar. After lesser measures failed, the current plan was devised to get the job done.
Contrary to certain alarmist reports, the proposed debris removal project is not a "monster dredge" project that will "destroy the pool and kill every living thing in the dredge zone." Rather, we believe that city staff has crafted the project as a reasonable and measured response for correcting a very large problem while minimizing disruption of the pool.
The notion that we need a "water flow modeling study" before removing the gravel gets it backwards. Indeed, the gravel bar is blocking the completion of scientific studies at the pool. The Master Plan process identified six short-term water quality studies for the pool. One, a topographic survey, can't be finished because the buried bottom of the pool can't be surveyed, and another, the hydrodynamic study, waits on the completion of the topographic survey.
A few cling to a policy of benign neglect at the pool. But there is nothing benign about the neglect that allows the pool to deteriorate year in and year out. The neglect must end. And the gravel bar must be removed.
Again, we call for action.
Friends of Barton Springs Pool
Copies to:
Austin Planning Commission
Austin Environmental Board
Austin Parks Board
Mayor & Council Members, City of Austin
P.O. Box 1088
Austin, Texas 78767
Reference: Barton Springs Pool gravel bar must be removed.
Dear Friends,
We write to support the city staff's plan to remove the gravel bar from Barton Springs Pool. The gravel bar is a large collection of flood debris (1500 cubic yards of gravel and boulders, and growing) that is spread over the downstream portion of the pool. The Barton Springs Pool Master Plan, which was developed to end decades of neglect at the pool, rightly calls for removing the gravel bar.
Removing the gravel bar is part of an overall effort to restore the pool to a more natural state. In a natural free-flowing creek, the flood debris would be washed down the creek. Instead, the dam that forms Barton Springs Pool traps the flood debris, and the flood debris acts as a second dam, trapping more flood debris.
The giant bulge grows inexorably, slowly filling the pool and increasing stagnation. It also traps silt, building up a deep oozing sludge on the bottom behind its rocky wall. When the pool is full of swimmers, they stir up the sediment, turning the water thickly murky.
Once flood debris was dredged from the pool regularly, but the debris has not been thoroughly cleaned out since 1991. This was part of a pattern of neglect.
Swimmers rebelled against the neglect of the pool in 2006, and began organizing volunteer cleaning sessions. We called for action. After a long public process, the Barton Springs Pool Master Plan was written, urgent short-term projects were funded, and the long-term projects were adopted.
Among the short-term projects is removal of the gravel bar. After lesser measures failed, the current plan was devised to get the job done.
Contrary to certain alarmist reports, the proposed debris removal project is not a "monster dredge" project that will "destroy the pool and kill every living thing in the dredge zone." Rather, we believe that city staff has crafted the project as a reasonable and measured response for correcting a very large problem while minimizing disruption of the pool.
The notion that we need a "water flow modeling study" before removing the gravel gets it backwards. Indeed, the gravel bar is blocking the completion of scientific studies at the pool. The Master Plan process identified six short-term water quality studies for the pool. One, a topographic survey, can't be finished because the buried bottom of the pool can't be surveyed, and another, the hydrodynamic study, waits on the completion of the topographic survey.
A few cling to a policy of benign neglect at the pool. But there is nothing benign about the neglect that allows the pool to deteriorate year in and year out. The neglect must end. And the gravel bar must be removed.
Again, we call for action.
Friends of Barton Springs Pool
Copies to:
Austin Planning Commission
Austin Environmental Board
Austin Parks Board
November 12, 2009
Mayor & Council Members, City of Austin
P.O. Box 1088
Austin, Texas 78767
Reference: Barton Springs Pool gravel bar must be removed.
Dear Friends,
We write to support the city staff%u2019s plan to remove the gravel bar from Barton Springs Pool. The gravel bar is a large collection of flood debris (1500 cubic yards of gravel and boulders, and growing) that is spread over the downstream portion of the pool. The Barton Springs Pool Master Plan, which was developed to end decades of neglect at the pool, rightly calls for removing the gravel bar.
Removing the gravel bar is part of an overall effort to restore the pool to a more natural state. In a natural free-flowing creek, the flood debris would be washed down the creek. Instead, the dam that forms Barton Springs Pool traps the flood debris, and the flood debris acts as a second dam, trapping more flood debris.
The giant bulge grows inexorably, slowly filling the pool and increasing stagnation. It also traps silt, building up a deep oozing sludge on the bottom behind its rocky wall. When the
pool is full of swimmers, they stir up the sediment, turning the water thickly murky.
Once flood debris was dredged from the pool regularly, but the debris has not been thoroughly cleaned out since 1991. This was part of a pattern of neglect.
Swimmers rebelled against the neglect of the pool in 2006, and began organizing volunteer cleaning sessions. We called for action. After a long public process, the Barton Springs Pool Master Plan was written, urgent short-term projects were funded, and the long-term projects were adopted.
Among the short-term projects is removal of the gravel bar. After lesser measures failed, the current plan was devised to get the job done.
Contrary to certain alarmist reports, the proposed debris removal project is not a %u201Cmonster dredge%u201D project that will destroy the pool and %u201Ckill every living thing in the dredge zone.%u201D Rather, we believe that city staff has crafted the project as a reasonable and measured response for correcting a very large problem while minimizing disruption of the pool.
The notion that we need a "water flow modeling study" before removing the gravel gets it backwards. Indeed, the gravel bar is blocking the completion of scientific studies at the pool. The Master Plan process identified six short-term water quality studies for the pool. One, a topographic survey, can%u2019t be finished because the buried bottom of the pool can%u2019t be surveyed, and another, the hydrodynamic study, waits on the completion of the topographic survey.
A few cling to a policy of benign neglect at the pool. But there is nothing benign about the neglect that allows the pool to deteriorate year in and year out. The neglect must end. And the gravel bar must be removed.
Again, we call for action.
Copies to:
Austin Planning Commission
Austin Environmental Board
Austin Parks Board
For more impact, add a personal comment here
Murky muck and obtrusive boulders begone! Not even shallow dives are safe in the 'deep' end of the pool anymore.
To those of you who will decide, I have attended many of the meetings and prsentation regarding the "Gravel Bar" in the barton Springs Pool. There is no danger from the "Gravel Bar" to swimmers or wildlife. There is also no reasonable plan for maintenance in the future regarding the residual build up of materials deposited by floods into the pool. In my opinion it would be irresponsible to spend $1,000,000,000 (the approximate price) to remove the depost with the proposed plan. The money could be spent much more responsibly if there was a comprehensive understanding and plan to maintain the pool regarding deposits of material from flods. Save the money for a real plan. The impact of the last "Gravel Removal" was devastating on the natural flora and animal population in the pool. stop the current paln, save the pool and save the money.
I have attended most of the meetings, and my conclusion is that the gravel bar can be removed safely and should be removed.
We're blessed to have a natural swimming hole in Austin like Barton Springs, and I sincerely hope you'll respect nature and do what it takes to clean up the sledge created by the gravel bar.
I support the removal of the gravel bar so that the scientific studies can move forward and to promote the reasonable upkeep of the pool.
Our beautiful pool has been neglected for too long! Please remove the gravel bar and maintain the pool and environs. The pool is important in so many ways: it's one of the few places where people of all backgrounds congregate for recreation, it's home to our endangered salamander, it reflects the health (or lack thereof) of the aquifer, it teaches us about the history of central Texas and Austin, it's a place of spiritual importance, and it contributes to the economy by attracting visitors from across Texas and the world. It's time to give our beloved pool the attention it deserves.
I support whatever supports Barton Springs remaining a healthy Austin treasure!
I'm a musician and visit Austin quite a few times each year. When I'm there I swim every day in the Springs. It is a huge part of what makes your city so amazing to me. I was there in October and was stunned by the difference in water quality. Action needs to be taken swiftly. Don't let this beautiful treasure get ruined.
Gravel = Grave for BSP. Time to help our natural wonder thrive.
Keep Barton Springs from filling with gravel. Keep the water quality high for swimmers and the creatures that live in the pool. Remove the Gravel Bar. Thanks.
Time to act, no more studies that waste time, money, and more of the environment. Often, the City does not get it right...this action, which is an obvious solution, DOES get it right. At one time, Austin was a leading city as concerns the environment, and this is one clear action that gets us back on that path. Thank you.
Please remove this gravel bar from the pool - the recent weeks-long closure was directly due to the failure to maintain that part of the pool.
Barton Springs is an Austin treasure...keep it natural.
Please help us do what is necessary to keep the Pool at the Springs healthy.
Barton Springs Pool is THE natural heritage site in Austin. Please give it top priority. Thanks!
Save and help keep Barton Springs.
It would be so nice to return Barton Springs Pool to its natural state. Thank you for the consideration. Debra L. Gray
For more impact, add a personal comment here
Barton Springs: #1 tourist attraction in Austin, loved by all. It only makes sense to make it shine.
Please remove the gravel bar! I love Barton Springs Pool!
Barton Springs is one of the things that makes Austin really special. It needs the best care we can provide it!!
As a Friend of Barton Springs Pool and a regular swimmer and snorkeler at the pool, I believe that the gravel bar should be removed. For several years, I have watched as the silt, debris, and trash have gathered in front of the dam. As stressed by other Friends of the Springs, I believe the removal of the gravel bar will improve the overall water quality and make clean up easier and more efficient.
As past president, vice president, and service committee chair I am in full support of this project finally getting the attention that it deserves. We have worked hard and upon the completion of this project we will be one step closer to insuring that Barton Springs Pool is restored to its rightful glory
Please do not let the pool to once again become a political football. Do the right thing and return it to its natural state ASAP! Please remove the gravel bar. Thank You, BJ Sanders
Dear Mayor and Council Members, I have a medical condition referred to as "multiple chemical sensitivities" which makes me unable to swim in any chlorine or chemically treated waters. During the heat of the summer, the ONLY exercise I get is at Barton Springs. Please help protect this valuable resource. I am a multi0generational native Texan and have lived in Austin most of my life. However, I literally would not be willing to live here anymore without Barton Springs. A refreshing dip in Barton Springs allows me to wash off the stress of the increasing air pollution, stressful traffic, and frightening criminal activity. Those new developments in Austin are discouraging. The loss of Barton Springs would be unbearable for me personally. Thanks for safeguarding one of the most wonderful things about Austin. Sincerely, Carol Dillard
Barton Springs is the heart and soul of Austin. This deferred project has degraded the swimming conditions at the pool and it it time for action. The gravel needs to be removed in the most environmentally safe and sensitive manner. The pool has become a major tourist destination for families coming from the major cities of Texas and all over the world. Let's get this problem fixed and proceed with fixing all the other outstanding maintenance issues at the pool. SAVE BARTON SPRINGS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME by taking the correct action now!
I support PARDs efforts to maintain Barton Springs Pool and the entire Zilker complex. Barton Springs Pool and its water source feeding the pool needs to be considered top priority. The pool is near and dear to my family, as it is to this community and the people from around the world who visit the pool each year. I support removing the gravel bar.
I've grown up in Austin and Barton Springs holds a special place in my heart. As a city, we need to do everything in our power to protect the springs. I believe that removing the debris dam is one important step in an overall plan to protect Barton Springs.
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