Introduction
Goodenough Springs were, until 1968, the third largest group of springs[1] in Texas, with an average annual flow of 3,900 liters per second (that’s 89 million gallons of water per day!). In the early 1900s, the springs powered a waterwheel used to raise irrigation water to the top of the adjacent high bluff. (See photo below.) The springs rise from limestone under artesian pressure. Now submerged under Amistad Reservoir, on the Rio Grande west of Del Rio in Val Verde County (at 29°32′ N, 101°15′ W), they are now on the northeast side of the lake at a point normally beneath 46 meters (150 feet) of water. Anecdotal reports say this submergence has considerably reduced the springs’ flow. In winter, when the spring water is warmer than the lake water, it rises to the surface and produces a smooth area, called a boil. The springs’ location is marked by a buoy. The current buoy was paid for, installed, and maintained by the GSEP. Early historical references refer to the springs as Hinojosa Springs.
This website puts together all the known public information about Goodenough Springs and its current and past explorations of it. Our intention is to explore this underwater cave, take scientific measurements of flow, depth, temperature, specific conductivity, salinity/total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, and pH, and provide this to scientists who study this area. Additionally, the water samples (provided to the scientists) measure many other things including the presence of pesticides and fertilizers.
If you have any information about Goodenough Springs that you feel would benefit our exploration project, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us at: gsep@goodenoughsprings.org or use our Contact form.
If you have an interest in diving at Goodenough Springs, PLEASE READ THIS
Source: Springs of Texas, Gunnar Brune
WARNING: Goodenough Springs is one of the most dangerous underwater caves in the world. No amount of training and experience can prepare you for this cave. Only through careful incremental steps of introduction to the cave and its environment can dives be conducted safely. You and you alone are responsible for the result of any action you take with the information provided on this web site.
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