TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas — The recent heavy rains in Central Texas have not just raised lake levels. Bacteria levels are also going up in some favorite swimming holes, such as Hamilton Pool. The storms that muddied the water in Hamilton Pool forced Travis County parks officials to temporarily close the natural spring-fed pool to swimmers.
“I thought we were going swimming, and I had to change clothes a lot of times because I thought we were going swimming. You started with a swimsuit on, right? Yes,” said Olivia Jorgensen and her mother, Mary Jorgensen.
The Hamilton Pool Preserve in Western Travis County is open to hiking, but swimming will not be permitted until bacteria levels drop. Parks officials are checking the water for a variety of bacteria, including E. coli…