Spring Lake
San Marcos, Hays County, Texas, United States
Spring Lake at the head of the San Marcos River, fed by more than 200 artesian springs. Diving is limited to supervised training dives and volunteer divers who pass the Meadows Center course.
Spring Lake forms where more than 200 artesian springs rise from the Edwards Aquifer at the head of the San Marcos River. The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University runs the site, formerly Aquarena Springs. The water holds at 22 to 23°C all year. The Deep Hole spring area reaches about 28 ft (8.7 m). Sand boils mark the spring vents. The lake is habitat for endangered and threatened species, including the fountain darter, San Marcos salamander, Texas blind salamander and Texas wild-rice. There is no recreational diving. Divers come in two ways only. Open water students dive with their instructor in the Training Area. Certified volunteers dive after passing the Center's Dive Authorization Course, which needs 25 logged dives. Daily diver numbers are capped. Good buoyancy is essential over the fragile beds. A large pipe sits over the main spring past the training area.
Marine life
- Fountain Darter
- San Marcos Salamander
- Texas Wild-rice
