Friends of Deep Eddy is an organization dedicated to preserving and protecting our historic pool so Austinites and our visitors can enjoy its spring-fed waters.
News & Announcements
Projects & Events
Friends of Deep Eddy is proud to announce the successful completion of our New Well Project in May 2019. We send our heartfelt appreciation to all our donors, Jacob & Terese Hershey Foundation, Austin Parks Foundation, Visit Austin, PARD Aquatics Dept., and Texas Realty Capital for making this possible. We reached our funding goal in the fall of 2018, right on schedule for winter 2019 construction.
Our goal was to augment the current “ Downstream" well with a partner well that would allow greater water flow, thus eliminating the problem of filling the pool by our summer opening time of 8am. In January our well contractor, GeoProjects, drilled to the same 300 foot depth as the previous well. But at that depth they discovered more limited water flow than the current well provided. So we discussed our options and they decided to drill further to 400 feet, which our contract had provided for. Once that was done the flow came on strong and met our goals. Now with two wells running we have ample water flow for pool filling, plus it is very consistent in temperature (70 degrees) and clarity.
The most important lesson learned was that a project like this must be run by competent professionals. Austin Aquatics/PARD has used GeoProjects numerous times in the past, and they came through for us again. Elk Electric did a wonderful job of providing the new electrical service we required. The finished well head is beautifully constructed of industrial grade equipment; we have no question that it will last a very long time.
Regarding the budget, we came in slightly under the estimated total. Our total grant receipts were $150,054 and our total expenditures were $144,829. So we have $5225 leftover in our account. These funds are being utilized for the purchase of new lane lines on our lap lanes. Since we do not use chemicals in the pool, algae growth is a constant issue on our lane lines.
All our Friends of Deep Eddy members as well as the entire swimming population who utilize Deep Eddy are indebted to all our donors on this project. A couple years ago, we celebrated the 100th birthday of Deep Eddy, and now with our water supply we anticipate many more decades of cool, clear water at Deep Eddy.
Our goal was to augment the current “ Downstream" well with a partner well that would allow greater water flow, thus eliminating the problem of filling the pool by our summer opening time of 8am. In January our well contractor, GeoProjects, drilled to the same 300 foot depth as the previous well. But at that depth they discovered more limited water flow than the current well provided. So we discussed our options and they decided to drill further to 400 feet, which our contract had provided for. Once that was done the flow came on strong and met our goals. Now with two wells running we have ample water flow for pool filling, plus it is very consistent in temperature (70 degrees) and clarity.
The most important lesson learned was that a project like this must be run by competent professionals. Austin Aquatics/PARD has used GeoProjects numerous times in the past, and they came through for us again. Elk Electric did a wonderful job of providing the new electrical service we required. The finished well head is beautifully constructed of industrial grade equipment; we have no question that it will last a very long time.
Regarding the budget, we came in slightly under the estimated total. Our total grant receipts were $150,054 and our total expenditures were $144,829. So we have $5225 leftover in our account. These funds are being utilized for the purchase of new lane lines on our lap lanes. Since we do not use chemicals in the pool, algae growth is a constant issue on our lane lines.
All our Friends of Deep Eddy members as well as the entire swimming population who utilize Deep Eddy are indebted to all our donors on this project. A couple years ago, we celebrated the 100th birthday of Deep Eddy, and now with our water supply we anticipate many more decades of cool, clear water at Deep Eddy.
About the Pool
Deep Eddy began simply as a swimming hole in the Colorado River that flows through Austin. Cold springs rose from the river banks and people swam in the river where a large boulder formed an eddy. In 1915, A.J. Eilers, Sr. bought the land surrounding the swimming hole and built the concrete pool. The pool served as the centerpiece of a resort, the Deep Eddy Bathing Beach, which featured cabins, camping, and concessions. As seen in historic photographs, pool amenities included a zip line across the pool and a tall slide, while other attractions included a diving baby and a Ferris wheel.
In 1935, the City of Austin bought the property for $10,000. Two weeks after the purchase, a massive flood on the Colorado River destroyed all the buildings, and filled the pool with mud and debris. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) rebuilt the bathhouse and the pool opened as a public park in July 1936.
Over time, the city has put the property to a variety of uses. While the pool continues in operation, the city separated the western edge of the land as a park and playground named after A.J. Eilers. The city also converted Deep Eddy’s bathhouse to alternative uses including a long service as a wildlife science exhibit. In 2004 for safety reasons, the city removed the 70-year old, 50-foot tall cottonwoods that surrounded the pool.
Deep Eddy Pool is listed as a historic landmark on the National Register of Historic Places and has been the inspiration of various works of art. Texas musician, Jimmie Dale Gilmore wrote the song “Deep Eddy Blues” about the pool and the nearby bar, the Deep Eddy Cabaret.
A collection of historical photographs from the Austin History Center can be viewed in our Photo Archive.
About FODE
Friends of Deep Eddy (FODE) is a non-profit organization made up of individuals who devote their time and resources to protecting and improving Deep Eddy and it’s facilities.
Our Board of Directors is made up of members who take on additional responsibilities within the organization. If you are interested in becoming a member of the board, please feel free to contact us.
Current FODE Board Members:
FODE and City of Austin Parks & Recreation Aquatics Department maintain a public/private partnership.
Our Board of Directors is made up of members who take on additional responsibilities within the organization. If you are interested in becoming a member of the board, please feel free to contact us.
Current FODE Board Members:
- Paul Bardagjy, President
- Laura Acklen, Vice President
- Maureen Coulehan, Treasurer
- Blake Tollett, Secretary
- Henry W. (Hank) Jones, III
- Christopher T. King
- Steve Hopson
- Paul Hamilton
- Vickie Tatum
- Heidi Gibbons
- Clint Bledsoe
- Sara Crowell
- Bill McCaughrin
- Haley Moberg
- Joe Luke
- ADD YOUR NAME HERE !
FODE and City of Austin Parks & Recreation Aquatics Department maintain a public/private partnership.
Support FODE
The Friends of Deep Eddy can use your financial support.
Funds we raise are used for facilities improvements and to help support the dedicated staff. There are always more opportunities to improve the Deep Eddy experience beyond what is affordable by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, including lane lines, landscaping, and well maintenance.
Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of federal tax laws.
Funds we raise are used for facilities improvements and to help support the dedicated staff. There are always more opportunities to improve the Deep Eddy experience beyond what is affordable by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, including lane lines, landscaping, and well maintenance.
Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of federal tax laws.
$25
