Jacob’s Well, Texas’ Most Dangerous Diving Spot (2024)

Dec 17, 201325 comments

Jacob's Well in Texas Hill Country is a perennial karstic spring located on the bed of Cypress Creek in Wimberley. The mouth of the well is four meters in diameter through which thousands of gallons of water surges up per minute feeding Cypress Creek that flows through Wimberley, sustaining Blue Hole and the Blanco River, recharging the Edwards Aquifer, and finally replenishing estuaries in the Gulf of Mexico.

The well was first discovered in the 1850s when a couple of early settlers followed Cypress Creek to its source. They described the crevice in the creek bed which was overflowing with an abundance of clear, cool water as "like unto a well in Bible times." Since then, the location has been a beloved swimming hole for generations, a gathering place for Native Americans and early settlers, and a rich habitat for aquatic species. It is also a popular diving spot for thrill seekers despite the fact that at least nine divers have lost their lives here over the years.

Jacob’s Well, Texas’ Most Dangerous Diving Spot (1)

Photo credit: Carl Griffin

Jacob's Well is one of the longest underwater caves in Texas. From the opening in the creek bed, the cave descends vertically for about ten meters, then continues downward at an angle through a series of silted chambers separated by narrow restrictions, finally reaching a depth of forty meters.

Through the years, many have successfully explored the first and second chambers of the well. The first chamber is a straight drop to about 30 feet; then it angles down to 55 feet. Nourished by the rays of sunlight that penetrate the crystal water, this cavern area is bright and is home to algae and wildlife. The second chamber is a long funnel to 80 feet, where there is a restricted opening to the third chamber. Inside the second chamber is a false chimney, which appears to be a way out of the well but has trapped at least one diver. The third chamber is a small room with a floor of unstable gravel. Divers must inflate water wings to navigate this chamber successfully, trying not to stir up silt or dislodge the gravel.

The passage into the fourth chamber is very tight. The few who have seen the fourth chamber say it is "virgin cave" with fantastic limestone formations and no gravel. Covering the bottom is fine silt that can totally obscure vision when kicked up by one misstep.

Jacob’s Well, Texas’ Most Dangerous Diving Spot (2)

Ironically, there was a time when it was impossible to descend into Jacob's Well. "There's a picture of me at 3 years old at Jacob's Well in the family album," recalls 79-year-old historian Dorothy Wimberley Kerbow. "My dad would throw me into the well. You couldn't sink down because the spring would just bubble you up with such force."

Kerbow recalls that she and her friends would often visit Jacob's Well in the 1950s, and it was impossible to go more than two feet below the surface due to the force of the spring.

In 1924, Jacob’s Well was measured to have a flow of one hundred and seventy gallons per second (six hundred and forty liters per second) discharging water six feet into the air. Over the years, the well’s flow had diminished allowing divers to reach the deepest chambers. The spring ceased flowing for the first time in recorded history in 2000, and again in 2008.

The first time the spring stopped flowing, the event was considered by many as symbolic of the region's increasing water shortage and quality problems. “It was a wake-up call for everyone,” recalls landowner David Baker. “We don't want it to turn into Jacob's Cave."

David Baker has given up his home to form the Jacob’s Well Natural Area to restore and protect this sensitive area for future generations.

Jacob’s Well, Texas’ Most Dangerous Diving Spot (3)

Image credit: Danny Self

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Sources: Visit Wimberley, Jacobswellspring.org, Wikipedia. Photos by Patrick Lewis

Jacob’s Well, Texas’ Most Dangerous Diving Spot (2024)

FAQs

How many people have died at Jacobs Well Texas? ›

At least nine people have died diving into Jacob's Well, which is quite a lot considering the number of people who visit the area, prompting some to call it 'one of the most dangerous diving spots in the world'.

Are there still bodies in Jacobs well? ›

Fatalities At Jacob's Well

And because of the depth of the Well, some remains have not been recovered for years. For example, the body of Kent Maupin, a diver who went down into the caves in 1979, was not discovered until two decades later, when divers happened to find his remains during a mapping expedition.

What is the most dangerous dive spot in the world? ›

Blue Hole (Dahab, Red Sea)

It's also earned the title of “World's Most Dangerous Dive Site” because of the high number of fatalities that have occurred here, giving it the ominous nickname “Divers Cemetery”. The Blue Hole itself is a submarine sinkhole approximately 463ft (130m) deep.

Why can't you swim in Jacobs well? ›

PLEASE NOTE: Public swimming access in Jacob's Well is contingent on precipitation and groundwater flow. Jacob's Well's flow is currently at a level that is unsafe for swimming.

Has Jacobs well been fully explored? ›

The system has been explored and mapped by cave divers of the Jacob's Well Exploration Project and has been shown to consist of two principal conduits.

Why do they call it Jacob's well? ›

The well in John 4: 12 might be called Jacob's well simply because it lies in Jacob country, at Shechem. attested in the targums of Genesis 28 and in other midrashic accounts: "Five miracles were wrought for our father Jacob at the time that he went forth from Beersheba ...

Is Jacob's Well a Blue Hole? ›

Is Jacob's Well the same as the Blue Hole? No, it's not–Wimberley is lucky enough to be home to two famous Hill Country swimming holes, but they aren't part of the same park.

Is Jacob's well 137 feet deep? ›

Unbeknownst to most visitors, Jacob's Well is home to one of the most extensive underwater cave systems on earth. The main tunnel extends around 4,500 feet from the surface, and the deepest point is a whopping 137 feet.

What movie is being filmed at Jacobs Well? ›

True Spirit is the second feature film that Netflix chose Queensland for its production location following Escape from Spiderhead, starring Chris Hemsworth, which filmed last year at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre and on location in The Whitsundays, Jacobs Well, Arundel and Tallebudgera Valley on the ...

Has a diver ever attacked a shark? ›

Yes, sharks do attack divers, whether provoked or unprovoked. However, attacks are extremely rare, as sharks do not view scuba divers as a particularly appetizing prey.

What is the most dangerous cave to dive in the US? ›

Jacob's Well, Texas

Jacob's Well is considered one of the most dangerous cave dives in the world because it's easy to get disorientated when diving its tricky chambers, especially the third chamber which features a “fake” exit.

Where do most diving accidents occur? ›

Often, diving accidents are attributed to insufficient water depth at the point of the dive. Statistical analyses show that the vast majority of accidents occur in water depths of about 3 ¼ feet or less.

What happened at Jacobs Well? ›

Jacob's well was there." John's Gospel goes on to describe a conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman (called Photini in Orthodox tradition), which took place while Jesus was resting at the well after a tiring journey. (John 4:7–15) The site is counted as a Christian holy site.

What lives in Jacobs Well? ›

Temperature of the water in Jacob's Well remains a near-constant 68°F and visibility is typically excellent. The spring provides habitat to numerous species of fish (principally sunfish and perch); turtles; aquatic insects; crustaceans; and, most notably, the cave-adapted Fern Bank salamander (Eurycea pterophilia).

Does anything live in Jacobs Well? ›

Catfish, crayfish, eel, perch, and blind salamanders live at the bottom of Jacob's Well. Closer to the mouth of the spring, you will find turtles, aquatic insects, and crustaceans.

Is Jacob's well drying up? ›

Jacob's Well Natural Area has some unfortunate news to share. The U.S. Geologic Survey measured a zero cfs discharge from Jacob's Well in recent days. This means that Jacob's Well has officially ceased flowing for the 4th time in recorded history.

Why did Jacobs well Close? ›

WIMBERLEY, Texas (KXAN) — Jacob's Well, the popular swimming hole near Wimberley, will remain closed to swimmers for the “foreseeable future.” According to Hays County Parks officials, water conditions are unsafe for swimming. Drought has caused the flow from the spring to “not be suitable for swimming at this time.”

What are the threats to Jacob's well? ›

The water has threats of high bacteria levels, other pollutants and poor visibility making it unsafe for swimming, officials said. Jacob's Well, a popular Central Texas swimming hole near Wimberley, contains the longest cave in Hays County and the second-longest fully submerged cave in Texas.

Who was the woman at Jacobs well? ›

John 4:5-30

Jacob's well was there, and so Jesus, wearied as he was with his journey, sat down beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.

What are the threats to Jacobs well? ›

Jacob's Well, a beloved natural swimming hole in the Wimberley Valley, has stopped flowing for the fifth time in its recorded history. Parks department officials said the lack of flow is a result of the ongoing drought and increased levels of groundwater pumping.

Are there bodies in the Blue Hole? ›

Two such adventurers were Irish technical divers Conor O'Regan and Martin Gara. The deep came calling before either turned 25. Their bodies were found locked in an embrace 102 metres deep into Dahab's infamous Blue Hole. Their bodies were found locked in an embrace 102 metres deep into Dahab's infamous Blue Hole.

How many bodies are in the Blue Hole? ›

Famous for freediving for its easy access directly from the shore and the lack of current, the Blue Hole is known to have the highest diving fatalities in the world with an estimated death of 130 to 200 divers from recent years.

What is the water temp in Jacobs well? ›

Jacob's Well is the second-largest fully submerged cave in Texas. The deepest part of the cavern system is 140 feet deep and the underwater caves reach up to 4,341 feet in length. The water temperature stays a constant 68°F.

How high is the jump at Jacobs Well? ›

Seasoned divers routinely explore the claustrophobic underwater caves far below the 30 foot drop-off.

When was Jacobs Well demolished? ›

The iconic building, built in the 1970s but empty since 2016, was wiped from the city's skyline using 500 explosive charges - and you were able to watch it live here on the T&A website.

What beach Noah filmed? ›

Principal photography began in July 2012 in Dyrhólaey, Fossvogur, Reynisfjara, and other locations in southern Iceland. Filming also took place in New York state.

What are Netflix filming at Wells Cathedral? ›

FILM crews have been spotted setting up at Wells Cathedral for Straight Shooter, an upcoming Netflix series.

Has a shark ever saved a human? ›

A shark attack ended up saving a man's life. In July 2015, Eugene Finney was swimming off the coast of Huntington Beach, California, when he felt something smash into his back, the Washington Post reported.

What do scuba divers do if they see a shark? ›

If a shark attacks, the best strategy is to hit it on the tip of its nose. This usually results in the shark retreating. If the retreat is far enough away, then human retreat is in order – again, swim quickly but smoothly, watching the shark all the time, with your dive partner close at hand.

What bodies of water have no sharks? ›

The Dead Sea is aptly named because it's exceptionally salty. Only some particularly hardy microbes can tolerate its salinity – there isn't even any seaweed! As such, there are no sharks either.

What is the most common cause of death during cave diving? ›

Trained cave divers who died in the most recent time period were older but little else differed. The most common cause of death was asphyxia due to drowning, preceded by running out of breathing gas, usually after getting lost owing to a loss of visibility caused by suspended silt.

What is the most toxic cave? ›

The Movile cave in southeast Romania wouldn't be top of your holiday destination list: no light gets down to it, the air is thick with poisonous gases, and it was cut off from the outside world for around 5.5 million years before its accidental discovery in 1986.

What is the most dangerous shipwreck to dive? ›

The Andrea Doria is known as the “Mt. Everest of diving” partly because it's an intimidating 180 feet below the water's surface. And that's only to the top of the wreck. At such depths, breathing gets very complicated.

What is the number one rule for diving? ›

Always breathe continuously. Never hold your breath. As I mentioned earlier, this is arguably the “number one rule” of scuba because breath holding while scuba diving can lead to serious injury, even death.

What do divers suffer from? ›

DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS

Breathing air under pressure causes excess inert gas (usually nitrogen) to dissolve in and saturate body tissues. The amount of gas dissolved is proportional to—and increases with—the total depth and time a diver is below the surface.

How fast do divers fall? ›

As the term suggests, freefall is the portion of your skydive that takes place between exiting the plane and opening your parachute. Once you and your tandem instructor leap into the big blue, gravity takes you on the ride of your life as you fall belly to earth at an average of 61 meters (200 feet) every second.

How many people live in Jacobs Well? ›

Jacobs Well
People2,882
Male51.5%
Female48.5%
Median age42

What is in the 4th chamber of Jacobs Well? ›

The few who have seen the fourth chamber say it is "virgin cave" with fantastic limestone formations and no gravel. Covering the bottom is fine silt that can totally obscure vision when kicked up by one misstep. Ironically, there was a time when it was impossible to descend into Jacob's Well.

Why is the woman at the well so important? ›

The story of the Samaritan woman, also known as the woman at the well, draws our attention to the central themes of the Gospel. By approaching her, Jesus demonstrates His care for all, regardless of their social standing. We can also be inspired by the Samaritan woman's excitement in sharing the good news of Jesus.

Is Jacobs Well salt water? ›

Named for its natural freshwater waterhole, thirsty travellers have been visiting Jacobs Well since the mid 1800s.

What is the most common death in Texas? ›

Heart Disease

What is in the 4th chamber of Jacob's well? ›

The few who have seen the fourth chamber say it is "virgin cave" with fantastic limestone formations and no gravel. Covering the bottom is fine silt that can totally obscure vision when kicked up by one misstep. Ironically, there was a time when it was impossible to descend into Jacob's Well.

What is the largest fully submerged cave in Texas? ›

Deep in the west Texas desert lies Phantom Springs Cave. Exploration divers there hit a record depth of 462 ffw / 140.8 m, making it the deepest underwater cave system in the United States!

What city in Texas has the most accidents? ›

Dallas has the most car accidents in Texas. Dallas is a large city, ranking 9th most populous in the nation. Though smaller than Houston and San Antonio, Dallas has become home of the worse drivers in the state.

What animal causes the most deaths in Texas? ›

But the number one animal killers on an annual basis are, perhaps unsurprisingly, bees, wasps and hornets. Roughly 58 die each year, mostly from anaphylactic shock. The south central region containing Texas also had the second highest rates of deaths by snakes, dogs, spiders, scorpions, centipedes and other bugs.

What is the #1 cause of death of children in Texas? ›

Accidents (unintentional injuries) are the leading cause of death in children ages 1-4, 5-9 and 10-14.

Does Jacobs well have a bottom? ›

The well takes an initial plunge through 23 feet of well-lit water to an apparent bottom, but then it veers off into a descent of increasing darkness.

What happened at Jacobs well? ›

Jacob's well was there." John's Gospel goes on to describe a conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman (called Photini in Orthodox tradition), which took place while Jesus was resting at the well after a tiring journey. (John 4:7–15) The site is counted as a Christian holy site.

What lives in Jacobs well? ›

Temperature of the water in Jacob's Well remains a near-constant 68°F and visibility is typically excellent. The spring provides habitat to numerous species of fish (principally sunfish and perch); turtles; aquatic insects; crustaceans; and, most notably, the cave-adapted Fern Bank salamander (Eurycea pterophilia).

What is the tightest cave ever? ›

Dara Tah lives for extreme experiences. He's also claustrophobic. Dara and his pals faced their fears and snaked their way through the Ogof Y Daren Cilau, an insanely tight cave in Wales.

What is the deepest place in Texas? ›

The deepest lake in Texas is Lake Amistad.

The Amistad Reservoir is one of the lakes in Texas that borders another country, Mexico. It is located on the mighty Rio Grande River at the Amistad Dam.

What is the deepest underwater cave in Texas? ›

Deep in the west Texas desert lies Phantom Springs Cave. Exploration divers there hit a record depth of 462 ffw / 140.8 m, making it the deepest underwater cave system in the United States!

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