Meadows Center constructing new glass-bottom boat dock at Spring Lake

Inside TXST

Anna Huff | January 5, 2023

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University started construction on a new glass-bottom boat dock at Spring Lake that will improve visitor accessibility and increase resilience from extreme weather.

A new floating dock system will replace the fixed dock system, which has reached the end of its useful lifespan. The work includes constructing four floating boat slips and floating landing platforms. Construction began on Dec. 19, 2022, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 16 of this year.

“A top priority for the Meadows Center is to invest in new facilities so that we can provide safe and accessible experiences for all of our visitors,” said Miranda Wait, deputy director of Spring Lake Education. “Once complete, the new dock will help ensure that the Meadows Center can continue educating and fascinating conservationists through our tours.”

As Spring Lake is primarily spring-fed, water levels naturally vary and fluctuate depending on aquifer conditions. Unlike fixed dock systems that rest on stationary pilings, the new floating dock includes a telescoping pipe that allows it to easily rise and fall with changing lake levels. This design makes the dock more adaptable to changing water or weather conditions.

Spring Lake also lies in the heart of “Flash Flood Alley,” meaning there is a higher potential for flooding to occur due to factors such as rocky clay-rich soil, steep terrain, and the region’s propensity for intense rainfall events.

When it floods, it becomes apparent why a fixed dock does not provide adequate protection for the historic glass-bottom boats. During the Halloween flood of 2015, water levels at Spring Lake rose nearly 8 feet, which left the dock entirely submerged. As a result, Meadows Center staff had to tie the boats to the handrails of Spring Lake Hall to minimize damage to the one-of-a-kind boats.

“I’ve seen first-hand the devastation floods can cause at Spring Lake, and this renovation represents a long-term investment in our education operations and the community,” said Sam Massey, glass-bottom boat manager. “With climate change now making Texas more vulnerable to extreme weather, such as droughts and floods, the new floating docks will help us keep pace with these environmental changes well into the future.”

Glass-bottom boat tours will remain open during construction, with visitors loading from the Headwaters Dock at the front of Spring Lake. While the boat dock and surrounding areas are closed until construction is complete, access to the trails at Spring Lake, the dive training area and Wetlands Boardwalk will remain open to visitors.

The Meadows Center is open daily, with tours running from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but will be closed on Jan. 9-13 for staff training and development. For more information, visit www.ExploreSpringLake.org, or call the Spring Lake Education Office at (512) 245-7590.

About The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University was named following a generous gift from The Meadows Foundation in August 2012. The Meadows Center inspires research, innovation and leadership that ensures clean, abundant water for the environment and all humanity.