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SOS Outreach Coordinator and snorkel tour guide Lindsey Holmes reports from the field   Report from Spring Ecotours on the Greenbelt: So far, despite the increased challenges from drought and low rainfall for 2025, it has been an incredibly rewarding snorkel tour season. Even though the USGS data for Barton Creek showed the water levels slowly declining due to lack of spring rainfall, there were plenty of weeks where the water remained lovely and swimmable (for a short time, at least), specifically in the Barton Creek Wilderness Park area. A big goal I had as a SOS guide was to get an entire group of people to lay down in a Barton Creek waterfall with me (I had been crawling through these falls over winter and really embraced this practice). I am happy to say this was achieved on one of our very first events, one which was held in honor of International Women’s Day. Stay tuned to SOS for future snorkel tours of the Greenbelt either later this fall (fingers crossed!) or next spring.
However, the history of the springs goes back much further than that, thousands of years further. Participants on these tours find themselves in one of the best classrooms in the world for understanding deep Texas history, karst aquifer systems and hill country flora and fauna. SOS snorkel tours are designed to give participants an up close and personal view of a living, breathing hill country spring.
In addition to culture and history, snorkel tour participants also get a crash course in aquifer science as it specifically relates to the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer. Of course, no SOS snorkel tour would be complete without the story of the Barton Springs Uprising: the all-night city council meeting that jump started the SOS movement and ultimately led to the passage of the SOS water protection ordinances of 1992 that are still on the books today.
Underwater VIPS: Fish, Salamanders and Subject Matter Experts A unique aspect of each snorkel tour is our partnership with subject matter experts outside of SOS that join us as a special guest guide for each tour. In the past, we’ve had hydrogeologists, wildlife biologists, salamander experts, master naturalists, water technology consultants, local authors, activists and educators join our tours as special guests. Speaking of salamanders, a common question on snorkel tours is “Will I get to see a salamander?!” Sadly, no, Barton Springs Salamanders are very small, hidden under rocks and are federally protected because they are endangered. However we have plenty of information and pictures to share with you about these amazing little creatures! The in-water portion of a snorkel tour is anywhere from 25-45 minutes (depending on the group and personal preferences). SOS provides snorkels, masks, and even a few spare goggles if that’s your jam, so all you have to do is show up in clothes you don’t mind getting wet. Barton Springs is a vibrant, dynamic underwater community and there are LOTS of fish (and turtles!) to see. We have high quality visual aids to help you identify fish as you see them in the water. SOS guides are also well-practiced in fish ID and are with you in the water the whole time, helping you spot and identify plants, animals and underwater features! Some of the amazing species of fish you are bound to encounter in Barton Springs are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and Guadalupe bass. Guadalupe bass are the state fish of Texas and they have gorgeous spotted markings alongside their body. I like to tell people this fish is just a bass who decided to wear a leopard print outfit! The markings are so striking. Guadalupe bass are confident and feisty, known to be proactive nest protectors (not too dissimilar to your average Texan). Another common fish species is Texas sunfish, which come in many variations and all colors of the rainbow. Both sunfish and bass prefer clear, flowing waters with lower turbidity (murkiness) as this allows them to mate, breed and navigate their world successfully. Another beautiful, if slightly more mysterious fish species, is the Rio Grand Cichlid or Texas Cichlid, which tends to be more of a wallflower at the bottom of the pool. However, don't sleep on our Texas cichlids! Patient and observant snorkelers are rewarded with a glimpse of the shy cichlid’s spectacular outfit: a dark background overlaid with miniature white specks, resembling a sky full of stars on a clear Texas night. All three of these fish are endemic to central Texas, however they do not always share the same waters, another reason Barton Springs is a very special place to snorkel.  My absolute favorite thing in the world about my job as a snorkel tour guide is seeing families, friends or solo tour participants find their own unique groove in the water. The post-snorkel chats are always pretty good too! So, If you are considering signing up for a snorkel tour but are feeling hesitant, just know that many of our snorkel tour participants have zero snorkeling experience or have never snorkeled in Barton Springs Pool before. At least a few in each tour have never been to the pool before! We adapt our events to all swimming abilities and comfort levels in the water. Your first step as water steward should be one that helps forge a bond with the water as you explore and tap into your inner child, and feel the freedom that clear water affords. We want to see you at the pool with us soon, sign up today!
Yours In Adventure, Lindsey Holmes  Last week, we received disappointing news on the lawsuit SOS brought against the City of Austin’s approval of the Statesman PUD, for violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act and Austin City Charter. The judge ruled against our motion for summary judgment and in favor of the motions submitted by the City of Austin and the intervening party, a company affiliated with developer Endeavor Real Estate Group. While we are understandably disappointed with this outcome, we are actively evaluating our options. The outcome of this case may well decide the future protections, or lack thereof, for Lady Bird Lake from over-development along its south side. It will also impact the extent to which the community will maintain public access to the tree-lined canopies of the Hike and Bike Trail. This case may determine whether the community has the right to full disclosure regarding actions taken in a proposed Planned Unit Development, including non-zoning matters such as the relocation of the Hike and Bike Trail, waivers of environmental regulations, and modifications to the shoreline. We also raised a claim that the City Council restricted speakers to a total of one minute for all zoning items, which translates to less than 20 seconds per item related to the Statesman PUD. This speaker limit is inherently unreasonable and contradicts the Texas Open Meetings Act. Given the significance of this case for government transparency and the fundamental right to participate, we are currently assessing our options for appeal.  After a long fight against ill-advised plans to dispose of wastewater via irrigation on a site that funnels into Roy Creek Canyon and the Pedernales River, Save Our Springs Alliance and neighbors of the Mirasol Springs development reached a settlement agreement on the contested wastewater permit for the development. Through the agreement, SOS, Save the Pedernales, and Mirasol neighbors, were able to secure improvements to the quality of the wastewater to be disposed of, monitoring of soil moisture levels to lessen the likelihood of wastewater runoff into surface and groundwater, setbacks and buffers from surface water and springs, and increased water quality monitoring in nearby springs. SOS will continue to closely watch the situation as it progresses and remain ready to jump in to defend the water quality and endangered species that call Roy Creek Canyon and the Pedernales River home. Please support our continued work to protect these unique and fundamental waterways.  It was yet another frustrating day at Austin City Hall at the June 5th Austin City Council meeting. Within the 118-item agenda, which remarkably generates relatively little discussion from the dais, there were several items we were tracking. Items 16/17. On a 7-4 vote, City Council approved water and wastewater services for a property that released itself from the City's extraterritorial jurisdiction. Both the City's Watershed Protection Department Staff and Environmental Commission (unanimous) recommended denial of these service extensions due to non-compliance with Austin's environmental regulations. Providing water and wastewater to this development would increase environmental harm, exceeding the City's impervious cover limits (20% vs. 58% proposed) over the Northern Edwards Aquifer, upstream of Jollyville Plateau Salamander habitat. We're disappointed in the City Council's decision but thankful to Council Members Duchen, Alter, Qadri, and Siegel for voting against. Item 55. This item would fund a new "floating dock" for Parks' storage, near the Camacho Recreation Center, on Lady Bird Lake. This item was postponed to July 24, 2025. Stay tuned. Item 94. City Council approved broad environmental code waivers for its proposed billion-dollar expansion of the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, an expansion that could increase erosion and nutrients in Walnut Creek. The Council also neglected to incorporate any of the recommendations of the Environmental Commission in the approved ordinance, which included increasing Critical Water Quality Zone mitigation for Walnut Creek. This project is a gross over-expansion of existing infrastructure, one that could be avoided by simply better managing wastewater and conserving more water upfront. Austin taxpayers and our environment will be paying for this boondoggle for many years to come. Item 22. Speaking of boondoggles, the Austin City Council approved the initiation of rezoning for the proposed convention center, despite the objections of neighboring residents and other concerned Austinites over the dead-space the new center will create in what should be a vibrant area of Downtown Austin. This convention center is being funded by Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue that could otherwise support Austin's local artists, musicians, and historic/environmental spaces that actually generate tourism to Austin. For more information about the expansion and how to sign the petition to fight back against it: click here. We have some great snorkel tours coming up...Grab your tickets now for upcoming Eco-tours at our beloved Barton Springs with these environmental leaders: Saturday, July 12 - Caroline Lunning, take a dive into the springs with a Barton Springs Lifeguard and super fun explorer! Sunday, July 20 - Justin Gronquist, son of Wayne Gronquist who helped protect Barton Springs back in the heyday. Get ready for some good stories! JULY ECO-TOUR TICKETS 2025 Summer Membership Drive: Become a member of SOS for only $10 during our summer membership drive. Memberships help us protect more lands and all new members receive discounted eco-tours and a free pair of SOS shades! We also have new t-shirts and merch to show your love for SOS. When and Where: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during summer break, at the South Gate (906 Azie Morton) entrance of Barton Springs Pool 9am-3pm
As we mentioned last week, Central Texas remains in the grip of a historic drought. While any rain is welcome, it matters where it falls and much of it has missed the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. Here are some recommendations to engage more deeply in water conservation in the coming months:
In Solidarity, SOS Alliance |
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