Jacob's Well Exploration Project ( JWEP )
First Efforts
The desire to see what lies beneath the surface of Jacob’s Well has tempted many to dive into its depths. For most people, their glimpses of its features have been limited to what could be seen during brief moments underwater while holding their breath. Some have tried other techniques to explore the site. An account in a local newspaper from the 1930s describes the hapless endeavors of a group of young men who used a milk bucket and a rubber hose as a primitive diving helmet to explore the Well. Since the 1950s, a number of individuals have used SCUBA equipment at this site. However, a descent into Jacob’s Well quickly confronts divers with a challenging, unforgiving environment. These early attempts by recreational divers to enter the cave produced little success and, unfortunately, in several instances resulted in fatalities.
Early Exploration
Underwater exploration of Jacob’s Well by trained cave divers began in 2000. As part of a research project with the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association, members of the San Marcos Area Rescue Team (SMART) attempted to map and obtain video imagery of the cave system. However, by 2002, these endeavors had been abandoned. At this time, Jimmy Price (previously a member of SMART) and Jeff Chance initiated an independent exploration effort. After spending several months moving large amounts of rock and gravel that had accumulated on the gravel slope leading to the first major restriction, they re-established access to the interior of the cave. These divers soon determined that the cave did not terminate at the point previously reported and that it continued on for many hundreds of feet into the karstic limestone.
After initial survey work commenced, a partial map depicting the first deep section in A Tunnel and a large portion of B Tunnel was created. This map was subsequently presented to David Baker, landowner of the property and Executive Director of the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association, for use in preserving the unique resource. As the complexity of dives increased, additional participants became involved. In 2004, Ryan and Andrea Eastman and Rhett and Brooke Carson joined in efforts that were critical in further extending the exploration of both A and B Tunnels. By the following year, logistics for lengthy, multi-hour dives dictated the need for yet more support. At this point, Ward Beecher and Chuck Noe began their participation; with this additional assistance, the exploration and initial survey of the system were completed.
In 2007, several members of the Goodenough Springs Exploration Project were recruited and the combined group was formally organized as the Jacob’s Well Exploration Project (JWEP). This coalition of volunteer, self-funded cave divers has conducted ongoing exploration and research activities. To date, the project has surveyed and mapped all areas that are currently accessible and documented approximately 6,000 feet of passages in the two principal conduits. Information obtained from numerous surveying dives has allowed the project to produce a highly-detailed map of the entire cave system which has been shared with various entities for use in aquifer protection efforts. The project’s survey results show Jacob’s Well to be the longest cave in Hays County and the second longest fully-submerged cave in Texas.
After initial survey work commenced, a partial map depicting the first deep section in A Tunnel and a large portion of B Tunnel was created. This map was subsequently presented to David Baker, landowner of the property and Executive Director of the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association, for use in preserving the unique resource. As the complexity of dives increased, additional participants became involved. In 2004, Ryan and Andrea Eastman and Rhett and Brooke Carson joined in efforts that were critical in further extending the exploration of both A and B Tunnels. By the following year, logistics for lengthy, multi-hour dives dictated the need for yet more support. At this point, Ward Beecher and Chuck Noe began their participation; with this additional assistance, the exploration and initial survey of the system were completed.
In 2007, several members of the Goodenough Springs Exploration Project were recruited and the combined group was formally organized as the Jacob’s Well Exploration Project (JWEP). This coalition of volunteer, self-funded cave divers has conducted ongoing exploration and research activities. To date, the project has surveyed and mapped all areas that are currently accessible and documented approximately 6,000 feet of passages in the two principal conduits. Information obtained from numerous surveying dives has allowed the project to produce a highly-detailed map of the entire cave system which has been shared with various entities for use in aquifer protection efforts. The project’s survey results show Jacob’s Well to be the longest cave in Hays County and the second longest fully-submerged cave in Texas.
The Team
The JWEP is authorized by the Hays County Parks Department to conduct diving operations at Jacob’s Well. In addition to exploration and mapping, the JWEP also conducts independent research efforts and collaborates with a variety of entities that are actively studying the site. The project has assisted with biological and water quality investigations conducted by the University of Texas at Austin, Texas State University, Wimberley Valley Watershed Association, Zara Environmental LLC, and the Hays-Trinity Groundwater Conservation District. To more fully understand the factors affecting Jacob’s Well, data collected from research efforts are used by conservationists, resource managers, and governmental agencies to characterize the site’s biological inventory, define the aquifer’s recharge zone, and gauge pollutant transport in the watershed area. In addition to research efforts, the JWEP promotes protection of Jacob’s Well via public education outreach. In cooperation with the Hays County Parks Department and the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association, the team provides presentations regarding the site’s history, hydrology, and biology to interested groups. Team members also raise awareness of these topics by engaging in informal interactions with visitors while conducting dive operations.
The JWEP utilizes both standard cave diving procedures as well as team-specific requirements to ensure the safety of all participants. The project safety officer maintains an onsite directory containing the locations and contact information of emergency medical services, hospitals, nearest hyperbaric treatment facility, and the Hays County Sheriff’s Department. Minimum qualifications for team members include the following diving specialties: Full Cave, Decompression, and Normoxic Trimix (helium-based mixed gases). Due to the presence of narrow restrictions in several areas of the cave, JWEP divers utilize sidemount cylinder configurations. To reach the more remote portions of the system, team members use battery-powered diver propulsion vehicles.
The JWEP utilizes both standard cave diving procedures as well as team-specific requirements to ensure the safety of all participants. The project safety officer maintains an onsite directory containing the locations and contact information of emergency medical services, hospitals, nearest hyperbaric treatment facility, and the Hays County Sheriff’s Department. Minimum qualifications for team members include the following diving specialties: Full Cave, Decompression, and Normoxic Trimix (helium-based mixed gases). Due to the presence of narrow restrictions in several areas of the cave, JWEP divers utilize sidemount cylinder configurations. To reach the more remote portions of the system, team members use battery-powered diver propulsion vehicles.