Karst Cave Jacob's Well, Texas

It is not for nothing that a deep-sea depression with the purest artesian water, located between limestone cliffs north of Wimberley, in Hayes County, Texas, was listed as a well. It's not a cave or a lake. Its width is about 4 meters, and the depth reaches 37 meters. At the same time, as it deepens, the space narrows and at a depth of 10 meters continues at an angle, passing through 4 grottoes connected by narrow isthmus, through which it is difficult to swim. The karst cave received the name "Jacob's Well" from devout settlers, influenced by biblical stories. She has already earned a reputation as a killer - 8 divers died in her caves.

Once from an artesian well formed several millennia ago, a geyser beat, and its jet reached 10 meters in height. Over time, it became less full-flowing. The water level in the underground layers, due to which it feeds, gradually decreases, which leads to the drying up of this natural attraction. This allowed tourists to use the well as a thermal source. Despite the fact that in the 80s of the last century, for safety, the local authorities blocked access to water, fenced the well with a reinforcement net, bold divers, pushing back the grid, continue to have fun, jumping into the gorge from coastal cliffs. The water in Jacob’s Well is so transparent that when you jump, you feel like you’re flying into empty space. Fish live in it, and the walls of the gorge are covered with algae.

At first glance, it seems that the water is safe. In fact, it harbors many dangers as it dives into its caves. The first underwater cave, located at a depth of 10 meters, is the most harmless and light due to the small distance from the surface of the well. It is followed by a second with a very narrow entrance that is easy to get stuck in. It is located at a depth of 24 meters. It is the entrance to the next, third, cave, located even lower. The most unexplored and "deadly" cave - the fourth - is located at a depth of 37 meters. At its bottom lies a thick layer of silt, which is already impossible to find a return exit. The last cave destroyed many lives, its bottom is dotted with bones. It is clear why it has hardly been studied. So far, no one has been found who would fully explore the most remote corners of the underwater network of caves, since the depths clearly showed what happens to daring daredevils.

However, this does not scare tourists. Today, Jacob’s Well is a popular recreation area and an educational environmental resource protected by the state. The most courageous and fearless daredevils come here, testing their fate.