The Recharge Zone of the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer crosses the Barton Creek Watershed. In the Recharge Zone water travels through the porous rocks, filling up or recharging the aquifer. Often after rain, the creek in the area where the water recharges will be dry when other parts of Barton Creek are still flowing. This is because the water has gone underground. Unlike a sandstone aquifer, in a karst aquifer like ours, there is little filtration and pollution can easily contaminate our water. Go back to the main map to see where the Recharge Zone crosses Barton Creek.

Environmentalist Helen Ballew explains the significance of this sinkhole located in the bed of Barton Creek.

Four scientists from the City of Austin and Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District trek the aquifer studying groundwater flow and supply.