Water Level
|
630.48 ft
updated 1:00 PM
|
Live Webcam
Vacation Rentals
|
Travis Co. dive team training prepares for busy summer
Posted: Fri, 26 Jun 2015 11:10 AM - 16,898 Readers
By: Amanda Brandeis
For Travis County sheriff’s deputies, a search on land — compared to a search under water — is like day and night. A special team, the Travis County Sheriff’s Office Underwater Recovery Team, is tasked with the difficult job of missions under water. “What he’s looking for now is basically the size of a small pistol,” said Dive Control Officer Darrell Gibson, as one of his divers searched through the murky waters. “If we get him trained on this, then we know he’s going to be able to find what we’re looking for in a real scenario.” The team trains four times a year for the various scenarios they may encounter. From recovering bodies due to accidental incidents, to crime investigations, they must skillfully learn to navigate the dangerous waters of Lake Travis. “It’s hard to get people on the team,” said Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Stroh, who helped start it back in 1998. “We don’t really have a waiting list of people who want to come on team.” Deputies say Lake Travis is the deadliest lake in the state, an unfortunate reality for decades. Divers on the 10-member team must be able to recover bodies 100 feet deep with little — to no — visibility. “It takes somebody who has the mental and spiritual composition to be able to recover a drowning victim,” said Gibson. “Doing it for 16 years now, that’s an awful lot of people to have to pull off the bottom of the lake.” Gibson says it is critical to know the last point a person was seen. “The only reason we were successful in this last dive with Sarah Pool was because we were able to locate here with sonar through Parks and Wildlife — found her on the sonar image and did the dive,” said Gibson. “That’s the first person we’ve ever been able to locate using sonar and doing a dive to recover them. Sonar isn’t really effective in Lake Travis.” That’s because it picks up a lot of other things on the lake floor, like debris. With higher lake levels, more swimmers and boaters are anticipated on Lake Travis this summer. Unfortunately, the recovery team says the risk of more accidents also increases. “It’s sad to say; some of the folks we’ve had to recover could have had their life saved with a 99-cent noodle from H-E-B,” Gibson added. It’s money well-spent to protect something you can’t put a price on.
[edit]
|
Lake Travis News
LCRA to reopen Lake Travis for public use Wednesday
Nov 6, 2018
|
34,522 Readers |
LCRA: Lakes could open by Nov. 2 depending on conditions
Oct 30, 2018
|
28,186 Readers |
Mansfield Dam floodgates to close starting Thursday
Oct 30, 2018
|
31,126 Readers |
LCRA will not open more gates at Mansfield Dam at this time
Oct 18, 2018
|
29,293 Readers |
Lago Vista residents prepare to evacuate due to flooding of Lake Travis
Oct 18, 2018
|
33,264 Readers |
An incredible view of an open Mansfield Dam : Youtube video
Oct 18, 2018
|
29,647 Readers |
Lake Travis expected to hit highest level since 1991 by Friday
Oct 17, 2018
|
27,439 Readers |
Hike and bike trail on Lady Bird Lake closed due to rising water
Oct 17, 2018
|
26,704 Readers |
Lake Travis expected to open 4 more floodgates. Take Precaution
Oct 17, 2018
|
30,442 Readers |
Record number of Mansfield dam floodgates could open
Oct 17, 2018
|
23,002 Readers |
Alamo’s Jaws on the Water is back to scare you while you float on Lake Travis
May 15, 2018
|
27,604 Readers |
This student’s wakeboarding graduation photoshoot is so epic she deserves another degree
May 8, 2018
|
25,630 Readers |
Here’s why you can’t swim in Lady Bird Lake. Wait — you can’t swim in Lady Bird Lake?
Aug 8, 2017
|
29,146 Readers |
5 Ways to Try Paddleboarding in Austin
Aug 4, 2017
|
28,049 Readers |
Why Is Hippie Hollow Clothing-Optional?
Jul 31, 2017
|
31,870 Readers |
JAWS on the Water - Friday, June 30th
Jun 27, 2017
|
27,552 Readers |
Memorial Day Weekend watercraft ban on Lake Austin
May 25, 2017
|
29,820 Readers |
Travis County officials prep for Memorial Day weekend on Lake Travis
May 23, 2017
|
27,394 Readers |
West Austin 4-H Offers Opportunities Beyond Just Raising Animals
Aug 9, 2016
|
37,619 Readers |
Large Crowds Expected at Lake Travis For Holiday Weekend
Jul 1, 2016
|
39,303 Readers |
Lake levels falling fast as Texas drought continues
Jul 27, 2022
|
14,734 Readers |
Repairing Lake Travis homes damaged by flooding
Nov 2, 2018
|
29,438 Readers |
Lake Travis now more than 120 percent full
Oct 17, 2018
|
22,831 Readers |
Graveyard Point residents brace for flooding
Oct 17, 2018
|
24,332 Readers |
Floodgate Operations Underway at Local Lakes During Flooding
Oct 16, 2018
|
24,306 Readers |
As Flood Risk Increases, Austin Will Revisit Its Floodplain Building Rules
Oct 15, 2018
|
24,602 Readers |
Up to 35 days of 100-degree heat this summer in Austin area, LCRA says
May 9, 2018
|
26,355 Readers |
Lake Buchanan rises nearly 8 inches due to rain
Aug 8, 2017
|
29,527 Readers |
One floodgate open at Starcke Dam
Aug 7, 2017
|
27,015 Readers |
Driving on RM 620, I see islands sticking out of the lake. Is the drought returning?
Jul 14, 2017
|
28,283 Readers |
Spectacular catch highlights our High School Plays of the week
Oct 16, 2018
|
22,369 Readers |
Classic Berth, Big Payday On The Line At Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest
May 15, 2018
|
26,941 Readers |
Several newcomers already set to play for Texas in 2017
Aug 7, 2017
|
28,326 Readers |
PGA to Austin: We had lots of fun, so let’s do it again in 2017
Apr 1, 2016
|
38,597 Readers |
Jordan Spieth Off To Good Start In Austin Return
Mar 24, 2016
|
38,225 Readers |
Katy vs Lake Travis game makes the list!
Jan 13, 2016
|
35,893 Readers |
Game of the week: Lake Travis (7-0) at Westlake (7-0)
Oct 19, 2015
|
37,955 Readers |
Lake Travis repeats as regional golf champions
Apr 17, 2015
|
40,317 Readers |
Lake Travis’ Bacon ties national HR record
Mar 14, 2015
|
40,732 Readers |
Westlake, Lake Travis sweep District 14-6A awards
Mar 11, 2015
|
41,628 Readers |
Shack 512 Relaxed, lakeside dining accessible by car or by boat
May 16, 2018
|
26,624 Readers |
Residents addressing wildfire risks in Lake Travis, Westlake
May 16, 2018
|
25,634 Readers |
Ex-Point Venture water employee accused of misappropriating $65K
May 16, 2018
|
26,214 Readers |
West Lake Hills’ new drainage manual created in an effort to reduce flooding
May 15, 2018
|
26,869 Readers |
Round Rock City Council approves cost share for zebra mussel control in Lake Travis
May 11, 2018
|
27,620 Readers |
Nautical Boat Clubs Launches Lake Austin Location in Westlake
May 5, 2018
|
27,333 Readers |
City looking for help to curb storm drain pollution
Aug 5, 2017
|
27,141 Readers |
Apache Shores features waterfront views, trails, park
Jul 14, 2017
|
26,413 Readers |
10-year Mansfield Dam rehabilitation project will keep Austin safe
Apr 27, 2017
|
27,760 Readers |
Overflowing Lake Travis isn't all bad news for businesses
Jun 8, 2016
|
36,360 Readers |
Appraisal protest trend continues as assessments rise
May 16, 2018
|
26,171 Readers |
Go Inside This Lake Austin Remodel
May 10, 2018
|
24,021 Readers |
Modern guesthouse tower adds space, views to lakeside cabin
Sep 28, 2017
|
29,285 Readers |
A Striking Sanctuary in Texas Inspired by a Sand Dollar
Aug 8, 2017
|
29,733 Readers |
Contemporary Architectural Masterpiece on Lake Austin
Jul 30, 2017
|
27,373 Readers |
Lake Austin mansion with a Romeo and Juliet balcony, including dramatic backstory
Jul 28, 2017
|
27,577 Readers |
Midcentury-modern home overlooks Lake Austin, Pennybacker Bridge
May 27, 2016
|
37,549 Readers |
Lake Travis Waterfront Retreat Offered by Heritage Luxury Real Estate Auctions
May 18, 2016
|
37,710 Readers |
In Lago Vista, big dreams for $68 million ranch property
May 14, 2016
|
37,649 Readers |
This Texas Barn Mansion on Lake Travis is Out of This World
May 6, 2016
|
41,459 Readers |
News Archives 2015 - Select a Month
|