The Meadows Center for Water and The Environment

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment sits at the headwaters of the San Marcos River in Austin, where more than 200 artesian springs bubble up to form Spring Lake. Fed by one of the world's largest aquifer-driven spring systems, its crystal-clear waters hold a constant 72 degrees year-round, making this a genuinely singular place to dive.

A conservation-first dive center

This is a PADI Dive Center with 4 PADI instructors, and its diving program is built around protection rather than recreation. Spring Lake is home to seven threatened and endangered species and likely the densest population of turtles in the United States, so every diver must first complete the Spring Lake Dive Authorization Course (DAC) to dive responsibly here.

The Meadows Center trains citizen-scientist divers who volunteer their time to one of the country's most unique habitat restoration projects, alongside offerings in PADI Mermaid and conservation. With a waterfront location, on-site parking and English spoken, it suits divers drawn to freshwater environments and hands-on stewardship of a rare, protected habitat.