Faulty Pollution Controls Cause Concern

Barton Creek Square Mall, 1988 (Mike Boroff, Austin American-Statesman)

Barton Creek Square Mall, 1988
Mike Boroff, Austin American-Statesman

1981-1990s

Inspectors find ongoing problems with structural pollution control measures at Barton Creek Mall. The failure and under-performance of these systems alarm environmental advocates.

The pollution of an aquifer takes a long time to clean up. It's unfair as well as undesirable. If we've already crapped it out, future generations don't get the choice of having it and they have a right to clean water, too.

— Environmental Attorney Joe Riddell

Barton Creek Mall Detention Pond

Barton Creek Mall Detention Pond
Austin American-Statesman, July 25, 1992
Cover of Zilker Park Posse Newsletter

Cover of Zilker Park Posse Newsletter
December 1981, Wayne Gronquist Papers, Austin History Center, Austin Public Library
Barton Creek Detention Pond Plans

Barton Creek Detention Pond Plans
September 21, 1988, Shudde Fath Papers, Austin History Center, Austin Public Library

Stewards

Supporting Documents

Related Events

A Chronology of Human Impacts on Barton Creek

MoPac Construction
1969-1971
Mopac Construction
Developer Violates Creek Ordinance
June 1974
Environmental Attorney Joe Riddell
Barton Springs Bypass Tunnel
December 1974
City Imposes Building Moratorium
June 1979
Horseshoe Bend Development in Barton Creek Area
Barton Creek Square Mall Construction
1979
Barton Creek Mall land clearing, 1979
Trail Of Broken Promises
April 1981
Environmental Attorney Joe Riddell
Barton Creek Mall Pollution Controls Fail
1981-1990s
Barton Creek Square Mall, 1988
Algae Overgrowth Linked To Development
1993
Cladophora algae grows in 6-foot strands and attaches itself to rocks.
A Decade Of Damage To Barton Creek Continues
December 2000