Balmorhea State Park officials have closed the natural springs pool indefinitely due to swimmers’ mysterious rashes.

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s website, swimmers at the pool have been acquiring itchy rashes caused by bites from an unknown source.

The TPWD is conducting water sample tests and studying all aspects of the pool.

The pool was drained for cleaning and maintenance last week and will be drained again in May.

Nearly 100,000 people visit the pool each year, Balmorhea State Park office manager Brenda Iniguez said.

Balmorhea Groceries Manager Blanca Barron said she is dependent on the park’s tourists, which account for the majority of her sales.

“They triple my sales I do per day,” Barron said.

Barron said she hopes the pool to be open by Memorial Day. But with the tourist population down, she said the store has to come up with alternatives methods on how to make up for lost profits.

“It’s going to affect us, even now,” Barron said.

@OAcitylife