Aquarena Springs
Encyclopedia
Aquarena Center is an educational center in San Marcos, Texas
dedicated to the preservation of the unique archeological and biological resources of Spring Lake
. It is managed on behalf of Texas State University–San Marcos
by the Texas River Systems Institute located in the Texas Rivers Center. The site is further home to the Texas Stream Team, a volunteer program dedicated to monitoring the water quality of freshwater
systems through the state. Aquarena Center was established in 1994 when Southwest Texas State University
purchased land previously used as an amusement park, including Spring Lake
, an artificial freshwater reservoir which contains several of the San Marcos Springs
.
The San Marcos Springs
are the headwaters
of the San Marcos River
. This site, where more than 200 springs
bubble up from the Edwards Aquifer
and discharge an average of 123 million USgals (465,605.7 m³) of water
daily, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in North America
. Artifacts
discovered in digs conducted from 1979 to 1982 date back 12,000 years.
The first Europe
ans to visit the springs were probably Spanish
explorers in 1689. The springs were an important stop on the Old San Antonio Road
and the Chisholm Trail
. In 1847, former Republic of Texas
vice president Edward Burleson
purchased the land surrounding the headwaters of the river and built a cabin on the hill overlooking the headwaters. Two years later Burleson built a dam
just below the springs to power a mill; this dam, which created Spring Lake, still exists today. A.B. Rogers purchased the property in 1926 and his son, Paul, developed a hotel
there in 1928 and introduced glass bottom boat
s on the lake.
Spring Lake has been visited by notable individuals including Robert E. Lee
, Jay Gould
, and Helen Miller Shepard
because of its beauty.
In the 1950s, construction of a submarine theater
and large spillway
at one end of the lake to produce a swimming pool
led to the opening of an amusement park at the site in 1951. Other features of the park were the Alpine Swiss Sky Ride (a Von Roll skyride), an Intamin AG
220 foot Sky Spiral that moved vertically above the lake and rotated 360º, and "mermaid
" performers that could be viewed from the submarine theater. The park also included a coin-operated arcade in which human visitors would "compete" in games like Tic-Tac-Toe against chickens, whose "moves" in the game were determined by pecking lights which appeared only on the chicken's side of the machine. The chickens often won.
By far, the most popular attraction was "Ralph, the Famous Swimming Pig." Ralph swam in the "Underwater Show" performing tricks and his famous "swine dive" until the park closed. At its peak, Aquarena Springs attracted 250,000 visitors annually.
The center added a Wetlands Boardwalk in a shallow area of Spring Lake. The boardwalk
, made of recycled plastic lumber, floats on the water and circles a marshy area that showcases the flora and fauna of a wetland
ecosystem
.
Aquarena Center has been designated as a "critical habitat," subject to the Endangered Species Act
, because the springs are home to the fountain darter
, the Texas Blind Salamander
, the San Marcos Salamander, the San Marcos gambusia
, and Texas Wild Rice. It is feared the San Marcos gambusia may be extinct as none have been seen since 1983.
Plans call for the removal of most of the old amusement park structures as fund become available. These include the submarine theater, Sky Spiral, and Swiss Sky Ride. However, the glass-bottomed boat tours will remain.
.
San Marcos, Texas
San Marcos is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, and is the seat of Hays County. Located within the metropolitan area, the city is located on the Interstate 35 corridor—between Austin and San Antonio....
dedicated to the preservation of the unique archeological and biological resources of Spring Lake
Spring Lake
-United States:*Spring Lake, Hernando County, Florida*Spring Lake, Highlands County, Florida*Spring Lake, Indiana*Spring Lake, Michigan*Spring Lake, Minnesota , multiple locations*Spring Lake *Spring Lake, New Jersey...
. It is managed on behalf of Texas State University–San Marcos
Texas State University–San Marcos
Texas State University–San Marcos is a doctoral-granting university located in San Marcos, Texas...
by the Texas River Systems Institute located in the Texas Rivers Center. The site is further home to the Texas Stream Team, a volunteer program dedicated to monitoring the water quality of freshwater
Limnology
Limnology , also called freshwater science, is the study of inland waters. It is often regarded as a division of ecology or environmental science. It covers the biological, chemical, physical, geological, and other attributes of all inland waters...
systems through the state. Aquarena Center was established in 1994 when Southwest Texas State University
Texas State University–San Marcos
Texas State University–San Marcos is a doctoral-granting university located in San Marcos, Texas...
purchased land previously used as an amusement park, including Spring Lake
Spring Lake
-United States:*Spring Lake, Hernando County, Florida*Spring Lake, Highlands County, Florida*Spring Lake, Indiana*Spring Lake, Michigan*Spring Lake, Minnesota , multiple locations*Spring Lake *Spring Lake, New Jersey...
, an artificial freshwater reservoir which contains several of the San Marcos Springs
San Marcos Springs
San Marcos Springs is the second largest natural cluster of springs in Texas. The springs are located in the city of San Marcos, Texas, about 30 miles southwest of Austin and 46 miles northeast of San Antonio.-Geology:...
.
History
San Marcos Springs
San Marcos Springs is the second largest natural cluster of springs in Texas. The springs are located in the city of San Marcos, Texas, about 30 miles southwest of Austin and 46 miles northeast of San Antonio.-Geology:...
are the headwaters
Source (river or stream)
The source or headwaters of a river or stream is the place from which the water in the river or stream originates.-Definition:There is no universally agreed upon definition for determining a stream's source...
of the San Marcos River
San Marcos River
The San Marcos River rises from the San Marcos Springs, the location of Aquarena Springs, in San Marcos, Texas. The springs are home to several threatened or endangered species, including the Texas Blind Salamander, Fountain Darter, and Texas Wild Rice...
. This site, where more than 200 springs
Spring (hydrosphere)
A spring—also known as a rising or resurgence—is a component of the hydrosphere. Specifically, it is any natural situation where water flows to the surface of the earth from underground...
bubble up from the Edwards Aquifer
Edwards Aquifer
The Edwards Aquifer is one of the most prolific artesian aquifers in the world. Located on the eastern edge of Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas, it discharges about of water a year and directly serves about two million people...
and discharge an average of 123 million USgals (465,605.7 m³) of water
Water
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
daily, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. Artifacts
Artifact (archaeology)
An artifact or artefact is "something made or given shape by man, such as a tool or a work of art, esp an object of archaeological interest"...
discovered in digs conducted from 1979 to 1982 date back 12,000 years.
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
ans to visit the springs were probably Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
explorers in 1689. The springs were an important stop on the Old San Antonio Road
Old San Antonio Road
The Old San Antonio Road was a historic roadway located in the U.S. states of Texas and Louisiana. Parts of it were based on traditional Native American trails. Its Texas terminus was about southeast of Eagle Pass at the Rio Grande in Maverick County, and its northern terminus was at...
and the Chisholm Trail
Chisholm Trail
The Chisholm Trail was a trail used in the late 19th century to drive cattle overland from ranches in Texas to Kansas railheads. The portion of the trail marked by Jesse Chisholm went from his southern trading post near the Red River, to his northern trading post near Kansas City, Kansas...
. In 1847, former Republic of Texas
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
vice president Edward Burleson
Edward Burleson
Edward Burleson was a soldier, general, and statesman in the state of Missouri, the Republic of Texas, and later the U.S. state of Texas....
purchased the land surrounding the headwaters of the river and built a cabin on the hill overlooking the headwaters. Two years later Burleson built a dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
just below the springs to power a mill; this dam, which created Spring Lake, still exists today. A.B. Rogers purchased the property in 1926 and his son, Paul, developed a hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
there in 1928 and introduced glass bottom boat
Glass bottom boat
A glass bottom boat is a boat with sections of glass, or other suitable transparent material, below the waterline allowing passengers to observe the underwater environment from within the boat. The view through the glass bottom is better than simply looking into the water from above, because one...
s on the lake.
Spring Lake has been visited by notable individuals including Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
, Jay Gould
Jay Gould
Jason "Jay" Gould was a leading American railroad developer and speculator. He has long been vilified as an archetypal robber baron, whose successes made him the ninth richest American in history. Condé Nast Portfolio ranked Gould as the 8th worst American CEO of all time...
, and Helen Miller Shepard
Helen Miller Shepard
Helen Miller Gould Shepard was an American philanthropist born in Manhattan in New York City.-Birth:Born as Helen Miller Gould she was the first born daughter of Jay Gould and Helen Day Miller...
because of its beauty.
In the 1950s, construction of a submarine theater
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
and large spillway
Spillway
A spillway is a structure used to provide the controlled release of flows from a dam or levee into a downstream area, typically being the river that was dammed. In the UK they may be known as overflow channels. Spillways release floods so that the water does not overtop and damage or even destroy...
at one end of the lake to produce a swimming pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
led to the opening of an amusement park at the site in 1951. Other features of the park were the Alpine Swiss Sky Ride (a Von Roll skyride), an Intamin AG
Intamin AG
Intamin Worldwide is a designing and manufacturing company in Wollerau, Switzerland. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The U.S. division of the company is located in Glen Burnie, Maryland, and is headed by Sandor Kernacs. The Intamin brand name is an...
220 foot Sky Spiral that moved vertically above the lake and rotated 360º, and "mermaid
Mermaid
A mermaid is a mythological aquatic creature with a female human head, arms, and torso and the tail of a fish. A male version of a mermaid is known as a "merman" and in general both males and females are known as "merfolk"...
" performers that could be viewed from the submarine theater. The park also included a coin-operated arcade in which human visitors would "compete" in games like Tic-Tac-Toe against chickens, whose "moves" in the game were determined by pecking lights which appeared only on the chicken's side of the machine. The chickens often won.
By far, the most popular attraction was "Ralph, the Famous Swimming Pig." Ralph swam in the "Underwater Show" performing tricks and his famous "swine dive" until the park closed. At its peak, Aquarena Springs attracted 250,000 visitors annually.
Boardwalk
A boardwalk, in the conventional sense, is a wooden walkway for pedestrians and sometimes vehicles, often found along beaches, but they are also common as paths through wetlands, coastal dunes, and other sensitive environments....
, made of recycled plastic lumber, floats on the water and circles a marshy area that showcases the flora and fauna of a wetland
Wetland
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
ecosystem
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving , physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water and sunlight....
.
Aquarena Center has been designated as a "critical habitat," subject to the Endangered Species Act
Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 is one of the dozens of United States environmental laws passed in the 1970s. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973, it was designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of economic growth and...
, because the springs are home to the fountain darter
Fountain darter
The fountain darter is a small freshwater fish found in the headwaters of only two rivers in Texas: the Comal River and the San Marcos River. It is generally smaller than 3 cm long and feeds on small invertebrates...
, the Texas Blind Salamander
Texas Blind Salamander
The Texas Blind Salamander ', is a rare cave-dwelling troglobite amphibian native to San Marcos, Hays County, Texas, specifically the San Marcos Pool of the Edwards Aquifer. The salamander has blood-red external gills for absorbing oxygen from the water. The salamander's mature length is...
, the San Marcos Salamander, the San Marcos gambusia
San Marcos gambusia
The San Marcos gambusia is an endangered species of fish, found only in the San Marcos Springs of Central Texas. The fish has not been seen since 1983, so it may be extinct.- Description :...
, and Texas Wild Rice. It is feared the San Marcos gambusia may be extinct as none have been seen since 1983.
Plans call for the removal of most of the old amusement park structures as fund become available. These include the submarine theater, Sky Spiral, and Swiss Sky Ride. However, the glass-bottomed boat tours will remain.
Filmography
The Aquarena Springs Amusement Park was the actual location of the resort in the 1978 film Piranha, directed by Joe DanteJoe Dante
Joseph "Joe" Dante, Jr. is an American film director and producer of films generally with humorous and science fiction content....
.