The park is named in memory of Jessica Hollis, an Austin Police Department officer who lost her life during a flood rescue operation in the area in 2014.
The location serves as one of the few designated scuba diving sites in the immediate Austin area, often used by local dive shops for certification check-out dives.
Water temperatures here remain cooler than other parts of Lake Austin due to the cold-water release from the base of the Mansfield Dam upstream.
The park provides direct, elevated viewing access to the Mansfield Dam spillway, a significant piece of regional water infrastructure.
Jessica Hollis Park is a riverfront recreational area located on the shores of Lake Austin at the Mansfield Dam spillway. Managed by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), the park is a primary destination for scuba diving, swimming, and fishing in the Colorado River basin. The site features a concrete launch area that provides unique access to the cool, constant-temperature waters discharged from the dam. It serves as a popular training ground for regional scuba divers due to the controlled current and depth near the spillway. The park grounds provide picnic tables, parking facilities, and limited shoreline access for angling. High-flow water releases from the Mansfield Dam can rapidly change conditions, necessitating strict adherence to safety signage. It is situated in the hill country terrain of western Travis County.
The shoreline vantage point looking up toward the towering concrete face of the Mansfield Dam.
Always check the LCRA water release schedule online before arriving, as high-flow releases will close the water access areas for safety.
Wear water shoes or sturdy sandals, as the entry points into the river can be rocky and slippery.
Bring your own shade gear, as the designated picnic areas have limited natural canopy cover.
Attempting to swim near the spillway when the floodgates are open or the warning sirens are active.
Water access is periodically closed during high-flow releases from Mansfield Dam; check the LCRA website for live status updates.
Divers must display a 'Diver Down' flag while in the water; always follow official LCRA safety warnings regarding dam releases.
