By Dante Motley
Staff Writer, Austin American-Statesman
July 27, 2026
Water is spilling from Jacob’s Well again after mid-July storms sent rain into the underground water supply feeding the Wimberley landmark, giving visitors a glimpse of the spring looking more like its old self after years of drought and increased local water usage.
The improvement was dramatic but brief. Jacob’s Well had spent much of 2026 dry or barely moving before its flow surged July 15. At its strongest, the spring was pushing out roughly 170 gallons of water every second — nearly six times
its usual rate. By Monday morning, that had fallen 
to about 10 gallons a second, or roughly one-third of normal. So water is moving through Jacob’s Well again, but the spring has not recovered.
The water comes from the Trinity Aquifer, an underground system of water-filled limestone. Rain that falls over the aquifer’s recharge area can seep through cracks and caves before eventually emerging from Jacob’s Well.
Hays County officials said the latest surge was likely connected to rainfall near Johnson City. But one storm can create only a temporary flush of water. The spring needs sustained rainfall to refill the aquifer as homes and businesses continue drawing groundwater from it.
Similar rain-driven increases have quickly faded in recent years, and Jacob’s Well continues to face the effects of prolonged drought and groundwater pumping.
Can you swim at Jacob’s Well?
Swimming has been prohibited at Jacob’s Well since June 2022 because low water levels created unsafe conditions. On July 22, Hays County said the closure would remain in effect until further notice.
The natural area is still open for hiking and viewing the well. Admission is free, and visitors do not need a reservation. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with no entry after 5:30 p.m.
The main trail from the parking lot to the well is about a quarter-mile and generally takes 15 minutes to walk. It includes stairs and limestone surfaces that can be steep or slippery, so county officials recommend sturdy shoes and plenty of drinking water.