Deep Eddy Pool in Austin

The Deep Eddy Pool in Austin is the oldest swimming pool in Texas. The pool started as a swimming hole in the Colorado River before forming into an eddy. In 1915, A.J. Eilers, Sr purchased the land surrounding the swimming hold and constructed a concrete pool. In 1935, the City of Austin bought the property and transformed the area and eddy into the city's main swimming pool. The pool has been used as the centerpiece for a variety of projects over the decade and is registered as a historic landmark. Deep Eddy Pool has even been the inspiration for various works of art, including the famous song "Deep Eddy Blues" written by Jimmie Dale Gilmore. The Deep Eddy Pool is located next to Elders Park, right off the hike and bike trails, and steps from the Mopac Bridge. The area is located west of downtown Austin and has a convenient location for quick morning swims. The pool is man-made yet is fed by a spring. Because the pool water comes from a spring, temperatures in the eddy are consistently very cool. Water in the Deep Eddy pool remains between 72 and 75 degrees during the summer. Although the water stays relatively cool, the pool is reviewed by swimmers as surprisingly refreshing. The pool is surrounded by an expansive grassy area that provides swimmers with enough area to spread out towels and dry off. The water in the Deep Eddy Pool is chlorine-free and has been a popular attraction for locals and tourists since the 1920's depression era. Deep Eddy is the main city pool in Austin and has remained that way for decades. It is also a longtime favorite of locals for sunbathing.

One of the most popular events at the Deep Eddy Pool are the Splash Party Movie Nights. The event is a family oriented program that occurs during the summer. At the event, visitors can float in the pool, enjoy refreshments, picnic on the lawn, or watch a feature film once the sun goes down. Families with young children will be delighted to discover that Deep Eddy Pool is very child-friendly. All ages are welcome to the pool and a large shallow area is available of smaller children. Food is not allowed around the pool, but is allowed in the picnic area near the entrance where tables are provided.

Visitors to the pool attend for recreation as well as exercise. There are lap lanes as well as free open swimming spaces. The pool is divided into two sections: the west side of the pool contains a shallow area and a place for recreation and the east side of the pool has lanes and laps for avid swimmers.

The Deep Eddy Pool is almost as popular as the famous Barton Springs in Austin. Both are heavily frequented by locals and remain crowded year round. There is an admission fee to spend a day at the Deep Eddy Pool, adults are charged $3 and children are charged $1.

Local Austin residents are so fond of the city pool that the Friends of Deep Eddy was created to keep the eddy safe and clean. Friends of Deep Eddy is a non-profit organization composed of individuals devoted to protecting and improving the artesian well.