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  1731 W University Dr. • Denton, Texas 76201 • 940-383-3483   islanddiverstx@aol.com

Aquarena Springs

Come Join Us, as we learn to be scientific divers
Dive Aquarena Springs!!!

Florida spring diving in TEXAS? 100+ visibility and 72 degree water year round at Spring Lake (Aquarena Springs). Spring Lake is located in the middle of San Marcos Texas and feeds the San Marcos River. A few years ago Texas Parks and Wildlife and Southwest Texas University took over the management of Aquarena Springs. The lake is around 28 feet deep and contains archeological artifacts and endangered marine life. Endangered life include, aquatic plants, freshwater eels, prawn, and other fish.

28 Miles south of Austin, the amazing San Marcos Springs discharge daily 150 million gallons of the most pristine artesian water that you will find. Texas State University purchased the aging Aquarena Springs Resort in 1994 and began transforming the old theme park into a non-profit nature center. Today Aquarena Center is dedicated to the protection and preservation of the San Marcos springs.

The Balcones Fault, a fracture in the earth's crust, formed the San Marcos springs and river millions of years ago. The water flows through 175 miles of the honeycomb limestone of the Edwards Aquifer before filling Spring Lake, the body of water on the grounds of Aquarena Center. The critical habitat created by the San Marcos springs is home to five endangered species.

An underwater archaeological dig in Spring Lake has uncovered Indian artifacts dating back over 12,000 years. The first recorded history of non-Indian habitation was when the Spanish explorers found the bubbling springs over three centuries ago. Since the waters were found on St. Mark's Day patron saint of lost truths April 26, the Fransican Monks named the waters San Marcos in 1709. In 1755 the San Xavier Mission was located on this site. The reconstructed bell tower can still be seen in the Hillside Gardens.

Dr. Joel Shiner came here in the 1970's and laid out an archaeological dig in the area that he thought the original riverbed would have been. 150 years ago Burleson dammed the river, in 1849 so any contents that would have been on the old riverbed would have been left untouched. It is just like a liquid time capsule. Dr. Joel shiner determined that through the 100,000 artifacts that he found here, that this has been the longest continually inhabited area in North America.

Dive in Aquarena's Spring Lake in one of the state's best and most visible diving lakes - comparable to visibility in the Caribbean Sea. Our new Scientific Diving Program helps assure that all diving operations in Spring Lake are procedurally safe as well as environmentally sensitive.

Scientific Diver Authorization Course
Weekly - Two days: Saturday & Sunday

This two day course focuses on The Edwards Aquifer, the Habitat, Endangered Species, Archeology, State & Federal Regulations governing Spring Lake and advanced diving techniques to ensure protection of this critical habitat.

You sign up for the course at Island Divers. 

Price:  $230

Directions
Places to stay

Course Schedule

2011 Class dates:  May 14-15 FULL
                                 June 4-5
                                 June 25-26
                                 July 9-10
                                 July 23-24
                                 Aug 6-7
                                 Aug 20-21
                               Sept 10-11

Saturday - 8 am -10 pm
Classroom (8 am - 12 Noon)
In-water Drills (1:30 - 5 pm)
Night Dive (7:30 - 10:00 pm) Depending on time of year

Sunday - 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Morning Dive
Evaluation & course Wrap-up

REQUIREMENTS

All participants will be required to provide the following:

C-Card
All personal SCUBA equipment including tank
Wetsuit appropriate for 70F
Weight belt & weights
Dive Light
Towels
Notebook, pens & pencils
Slate
Compass

AUTHORIZATION

Once a diver receives authorization to dive in the lake, that diver is eligible to participate in research dives. Aquarena Center will maintain an updated list of research projects and diving requirements. The purpose: to match available divers to the diving needs of an appropriate research project.

Another early settler in San Marcos was Arthur B. Rogers, who built the Aquarena Inn in 1928, then known as the Spring Lake Hotel. In 1946 Mr. Roger's son, Paul, initiated the beginning of Aquarena Center by launching the first Glass bottom Boat. This was in the form of an over-sized, canvas-topped rowboat equipped with a small glass panel in the bottom. The Glass Bottom Boats were followed in 1951 with the first Submarine Underwater Theatre. In 1969 "Ralph" the famous swimming pig took his first swine dive.

Southwest Texas State University purchased Aquarena in 1994, changing the focus of the former theme park, from entertainment to preservation and education. Under the direction of Continuing Education, the 90-acre acquisition has enabled SWT to preserve the beautiful, ecologically fragile site for the state, while opening up classroom, lab and research possibilities for the university.

Education at Aquarena offers a variety of exciting opportunities for students of all ages. As one of Texas' oldest natural attractions, Aquarena gives visitors the chance to see nature up close in a fun filled environment.  For more information on tours visit www.aquarena.txstate.edu.

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From Austin/Dallas/Waco and the I-35 Corridor North

Follow I-35 South to San Marcos, take exit #206 . Stay on the access road. Merge right onto Aquarena Springs Drive/Loop 82. You will pass two traffic lights and cross over a railroad track. Bobcat Stadium will be on your left. The entrance to the Aquarena Center is Immediately after the railroad tracks on the right.   921 Aquarena Springs Dr.  San Marcos,  TX  78666

For More Information
contact us at 940 383-3483 or come by the store

Places to stay in San Marcus

Hotel
There are many wonderful places to stay. 

Click here for great special.

Camping

Tent camping
Shady Grove Campground

RV camping
Pecan Park
 

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Island Divers
1731 W University Dr. • Denton, Texas 76201 • 940-383-3483   islanddiverstx@aol.com