On July 4, 2009, a sewage spill occurred in the West Rim area, and eventually flowed into a tributary of Bull Creek, upstream of Loop 360. The City is monitoring bacteria levels in the area downstream of the spill, which frequently exceed contact recreation standards even in the absence of sewage spills.

Update: July 21, 2009
Bacteria levels are still above the recommended levels for contact recreation on weekends near Loop 360. Furthermore, due to the drought, the creek is now drying up and remaining pools have become stagnant both at 360 and in the Off-Leash Dog Park area downstream. Therefore, the temporary swimming and wading ban will continue at both areas as a health and safety precaution, even though levels have declined at the lower site. Monitoring and evaluation of the bacteria levels will continue and information will be posted on this website.

Update: August 5th, 2009
TEMPORARY BAN NO SWIMMING OR WADING IN THE WATER
Due to stagnant water conditions and periodic elevated bacteria levels, swimming is currently banned as a health and safety precaution. The City of Austin will continue to monitor the water and will update conditions as results become available.

Update: October 20th, 2009
Because of recent rains, the swimming ban at Bull Creek District Park has been lifted. However, bacteria concentrations frequently exceed health standards so recent monitoring data is available in kiosks at the park. As always with a natural water body, conditions can change quickly and caution should be exercised when swimming, particularly after rainfall.

The park will be closed for restoration work in November 2009 until the spring of 2010.

Map of the Bull Creek area

Current Status/Bull Creek Off-Leash