Eilers (Deep Eddy) Park
Eilers (Deep Eddy) Park
Location: 401 Deep Eddy Ave. 78703 Map
Phone Number: 512.472.8546
This park has 1 reservable area(s). For more information, visit the City of Austin Parks Department list of reservable areas or call (512) 974-6797. For Travis County Park reservations, call (512) 854-7275.
Size: 8.00 Acres
Amenities:
Barbeque Pits 1 Fishing Piers 1 Picnic Tables 16 Playgrounds 1
Reservable Facilities 1 Swimming Pools 1 Trail Miles 0.2
Description: The main attraction here is Deep Eddy Pool, but there is also a toddler play area, an ADA accessible ramp to the hike and bike trail, and dock onto Town Lake for fish and bird-spotting. There is a new smoker available in the park area.
Friends of Eilers Park has been making improvements to the park area. Long term plans include adding more play equipment, shade cover, better lighting, landscape maintenance and beautification.
The Friends of Deep Eddy recently completed a massive reconstruction of the historic bathhouse.
Upcoming Events
An updated Master Plan for Eilers Park will be presented Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at WANG’s monthly meeting.
Historic Droughts Affect Deep Eddy Wells
Historic drought conditions have caused the two wells feeding Deep Eddy Pool to go almost dry forcing the continued closure of the shallow portion of the swimming hole until groundwater levels rise.
The deeper end of the pool will continue to be open daily for lap swimmers and others.
“We have all felt the effects of 100-degree temperatures and lack of rain,” said Tom Nelson, who oversees Deep Eddy Pool as part of his duties as an Aquatics Division Manager. “The lack of water for the Deep Eddy wells is unprecedented in anyone’s memory.
“The City of Austin already is looking into alternatives to supply water to the pool,” Nelson said. “Of course, a possible quick fix would be substantial rainfall.”
The shallow end at Deep Eddy was closed Aug. 28 after a pump malfunction on the well used to fill that portion of the pool. Still, even with a more efficient pump, the low groundwater levels are causing continued problems.
Deep Eddy, built in 1916, is a popular spot with families, especially its shallow end. City officials suggest Barton Springs, Northwest and Big Stacy pools as nearby options for those who have used the now closed portion of Deep Eddy.
Major improvements at Deep Eddy, including potentially new, deeper wells are already scheduled, funded by $5 million in bonds approved by Austin voters in 2006. Those projects slated to be completed in 2011 may be accelerated because of issues raised by this year’s drought.
The City’s Watershed Protection Department will work with Parks and Recreation staff to evaluate the wells to determine what can be done to help water flows into the pool.
“The current drought has taken its toll on Austin’s groundwater resources,” said Scott Hiers, geologist with the Watershed Protection Department. “Deep Eddy Pool, which is fed with two hand-dug wells, is having difficulty obtaining groundwater for the pool. We will be evaluating existing conditions of the wells to identify options for keeping the entire pool open.”
Contact: Victor Ovalle, Parks and Recreation, (512) 974-6745
Wendy Morgan, Watershed Protection, (512) 974-2090
Partners and Links
Friends of Deep Eddy, Inc. Leon J. Barish http://www.deepeddy.org/
Friends of Eilers Park Patricia Hadden 474-7620 http://www.friendsofeilerspark.org