Posted: Thu, 1 Jul 2010 01:50 PM - 9,314 Readers

By: Austin Police Department

The Austin Police Department Parks and Lake Patrol Unit will prohibit the use, and operation of personal watercrafts, wet bikes, motorized surfboards and similar devices on Lake Austin beginning at sunset, Saturday, July 3, 2010 and ending at sunrise, Monday, July 5, 2010.

The annual ban of personal watercraft is necessary to ensure the safety of the large number of people that use the lake and parks over the July 4th holiday.

Police will be patrolling Lake Austin this weekend and urge people using Lake Austin to follow the Texas Water Safety Act and City of Austin boating laws and ordinances. Police urge all boaters to practice safe boating and to call 911 to report all reckless operation of boats and emergencies.

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department and the Austin Police Department want the public to enjoy the parks and lakes but want to remind residents of Austin to be safe during the holiday. The APD Lake Patrol Unit phone number is 329-8841.