• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover Austin Texas! An Austin blog with hundreds of unique articles.

  • Things To Do
    • Things To Do This Weekend
    • Things To Do This Week
    • Things To Do This Weekend With Kids
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

Is the Greenbelt Open? Reliable Answers to Common Questions

May 27, 2015 by Leah Nyfeler 6 Comments

Flooded Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue in Austin

Stevie Ray Vaughan surveys a flooded city (Credit: Holp Photography)

When bad weather strikes, it’s important to get accurate information about conditions before heading out onto Austin’s trails and waterways. Here are several common questions with reliable resources to quickly answer whether the time is right to enjoy Austin’s many outdoor recreational areas.

Is the Barton Creek Greenbelt Open?

There’s a published phone number for “Barton Creek Greenbelt Hotline,” but it’s not accurate. The voice recording isn’t reliably updated–in fact, the day after the 2015 Memorial Day floods it cheerily claimed that “all trailheads are open” when this announcement had been made:

“The Austin Parks & Recreation Department has re-evaluated the closure of the Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail and determined that the trail should remain closed at this time due to safety concerns.”

That notice came from the Austin Parks & Recreation Department (PARD), which is your best resource for Barton Creek Greenbelt status.

City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department website, Facebook and Twitter

Did the Hike and Bike Trail Around Lady Bird Lake Flood?

Flooded Hike and Bike Trail Austin

Flood waters flow over the Hike and Bike Trail (Credit: Jared Tennant)

There’s not a dedicated, specific resource regarding the status of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. Austin PARD is a great resource. Another place to look for general information, upcoming projects and news is The Trail Foundation, a nonprofit that works with Austin PARD to improve and maintain this beloved outdoor resource (there’s a map on the website, too).

The Trail Foundation website, Facebook and Twitter

What’s the Status of Deep Eddy Pool?

Austin PARD has a news page that relays information on planned closures at specific parks and pools (for example, if something is going on at Auditorium Shores or there’s a triathlon at Walter E. Long Park). The page is searchable by facility; this is an outstanding way to find out the status of neighborhood pools. Barton Springs, Deep Eddy and Big Stacy pools, for example, are often closed after heavy rains due to run-off.

News and Closures

Video: No Swimming today. Barton Creek runs wild through Barton Springs Austin TX pool. 

A video posted by Chris Sherman (@cvsherman) on May 24, 2015 at 5:14pm PDT

Can I Still Visit McKinney Falls State Park?

Austin is blessed with several state parks in its immediate vicinity: McKinney Falls, Bastrop, Buescher and Pedernales, to name those within an hour’s drive of downtown. While Texas Parks & Wildlife has several Twitter accounts, one is specifically dedicated to providing the latest news about Texas’ state parks.

Texas Parks & Wildlife website and Twitter

Where Do I Find Out About Waterways?

Flooded Red Bud Isle Austin

Parts of Red Bud Isle flood after Tom Miller Dam’s floodgates are opened (Credit: Over Austin)

Just 6 inches of water can be dangerous, so it’s important to know the status of low water crossings before driving through or wading in. It’s also crucial to know water levels of creeks and streams before undertaking any recreational activities after heavy rains. ATXfloods is an informative resource–and you can upload video and images to share.

ATXfloods website and Twitter

Two Generally Helpful Contacts in Austin

City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has lists of public safety partners (including Twitter links). You’ll find contact info for everything from airport info to bus lines to firefights and the FBI. Media updates, such as the recent watercraft ban on Lady Bird Lake and all city creeks, are also posted on this website.

Do you know when to use 311? Whether you need to fill out an online Service Request or want to call to report standing water issues, storm drain problems, power outages, pavement erosion or trees in the roadway, give 311 a call 24/7/365. The 311 website is also a source for the latest information, such as Barton Creek and Onion Creek flood warnings.

 

@leahruns100 wants to know:

How have you been impacted by the recent weather in Austin?

 

Filed Under: Activities, Discoveries Tagged With: swimming holes, texas state parks

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
6 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
arthur
arthur
7 years ago

it is worth noting that you can check out the water flow rates for the greenbelt here http://bartoncreekhome.com/barton-creek-greenbelt-water-levels not quite the same as knowing if it is closed or not.

0
Reply
Leah Nyfeler
Leah Nyfeler
7 years ago
Reply to  arthur

Great information, though–thanks for sharing.

0
Reply
Leah Nyfeler
Leah Nyfeler
7 years ago

FYI, trail peeps: Here’s an update to Barton Creek greenbelt trail conditions. The footbridge located at approximately the 3.25 mile marker was washed away by the flooding, so there is no crossing at that point. If you want to go from the Spyglass entrance to 360 trailhead, you’ll have to find an alternate method to get from one side to another.

0
Reply
Leah Nyfeler
Leah Nyfeler
6 years ago

Hi, all. 4/18–Barton Creek Pool is closed until further notice. Buescher State Park is also closed. A variety of low water crossings are problematic– check out realtime information at ATXfloods. And remember, if the gate’s closed, the greenbelt’s closed. Check before you head out for that outdoor workout! Please be safe!

0
Reply
Leah Nyfeler
Leah Nyfeler
6 years ago

Be sure to check local parks before heading out. Also, remember to respect trail closures at Barton Creek Greenbelt. Stay safe out there!

0
Reply

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Things to do

Easter Egg Hunt Austin 2023 - 10 Free events & activities for kids near you

Easter Egg Hunt Austin 2023 – Events & activities for kids and toddlers near you

Austin is getting ready for a hopping good time with Easter Egg Hunt Austin 2023 and plenty more Easter Sunday events & activities for kids and toddlers! Austin Easter egg hunt events are always fun and colorful. It involves a lot of prizes, picnics and food, and a wide range of activities, from face painting […]

Things to do with kids in Austin this weekend of March 24 | Easter Egg Hunts

Top 10 things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of March 24, 2023 include Easter Egg Hunts, The Peking Acrobats, and more!

If there’s one thing about this city, it’s that there is always something going on. So, if you’re looking for fun things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of March 24, 2023, there’s plenty of fun to be had, including Easter Egg Hunts, The Peking Acrobats Featuring the Shanghai Circus, Acoustic Rooster’s Barnyard Boogie, and […]

Things to do in Austin this weekend of March 24 | Water Lantern Festival

11 Fun things to do in Austin this weekend of March 24, 2023 include Water Lantern Festival, NASCAR at COTA, and More!

There are plenty of fun things to do in Austin this Weekend of March 24 which include Water Lantern Festival, NASCAR at COTA, Southern Heights 5k Beer Run, and more! Whether you’re planning a date or having fun with friends, these events and things to do in Austin this weekend may be right for you. Deal Alert […]

Things to do in Austin this week of March 20 | Gel Blaster Play Day '23

10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of March 20, 2023 include Gel Blaster Play Day ’23, Yamato: Drummers of Japan, and more!

Our top choices for things to do in Austin this Week of March 20, 2023, include Gel Blaster Play Day ’23, Yamato: Drummers of Japan, Vincent by the Penfold Theatre Company, and more! Austin is now among the fastest-growing metroplexes in the US! Keeping up with the growth, luckily, there’s plenty going on in Austin all days […]

St Patrick's Day Austin

St Patrick’s Day Austin 2023 – Best pub crawls, events, parties, specials, & more!

Get ready to celebrate the luck of the Irish with St Patrick’s Day Austin 2023! If you are looking for ways to celebrate Austin St Patrick’s Day 2023 and find yourself searching online for “St Patricks Day Austin,” “St Patrick’s Day 2023 Austin,” or “St Patrick’s Day events Austin,” we got you covered! We’ve come […]

Recent Posts

  • Easter Egg Hunt Austin 2023 – Events & activities for kids and toddlers near you
  • Top 10 things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of March 24, 2023 include Easter Egg Hunts, The Peking Acrobats, and more!
  • 11 Fun things to do in Austin this weekend of March 24, 2023 include Water Lantern Festival, NASCAR at COTA, and More!
  • Who Wins the SXSW Music 2023 Superlative Awards?
  • 10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of March 20, 2023 include Gel Blaster Play Day ’23, Yamato: Drummers of Japan, and more!

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Trending Posts

  • Top 10 things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of March 24, 2023 include Easter Egg Hunts, The Peking Acrobats, and more!
  • 11 Fun things to do in Austin this weekend of March 24, 2023 include Water Lantern Festival, NASCAR at COTA, and More!
  • Easter Egg Hunt Austin 2023 – Events & activities for kids and toddlers near you
  • Rude Mechs Forced to Bring Theater to the People After Losing Venue
  • Mattie’s Serves Local Fare With Global Flair Inside Iconic South Austin Home

Copyright © 2023 · Log in

wpDiscuz