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Is Jacobs well spring-fed?

Jacob's Well, the popular spring-fed swimming hole in Wimberley, has reached zero flow for the sixth time in its recorded history. All six of those times have occurred in the last 23 years — and it's become more frequent.



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Under normal conditions, Jacob's Well releases thousands of gallons of water every day from the Trinity Aquifer, which comes from an extensive underground cave system, according to Hays County Parks officials.

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By the 330s CE, the site had been identified as the place where Jesus held his conversation with the Samaritan woman, and was probably being used for Christian baptisms. By 384 CE, a cruciform church was built over the site, and is mentioned in the 4th century writings of Saint Jerome.

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Catfish, crayfish, eel, perch, and blind salamanders live at the bottom of Jacob's Well. Closer to the mouth of the spring, you will find turtles, aquatic insects, and crustaceans. People don't seem to have animal problems in Jacob's Well, but you may want to steer clear of the Moray eel.

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Temperature of the water in Jacob's Well remains a near-constant 68°F and visibility is typically excellent. The spring provides habitat to numerous species of fish (principally sunfish and perch); turtles; aquatic insects; crustaceans; and, most notably, the cave-adapted Fern Bank salamander (Eurycea pterophilia).

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The well still produces clear, drinking water, and visitors are allowed to draw water from the well and drink it. Jacob's Well is considered to be the most authentic Christian holy site as no one can move a well that is more than 40 meters deep.

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After about a dozen divers drowned trying to explore the bottom of Jacob's Well, the fourth chamber was finally sealed up for good.

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