Posted: Tue, 2 Jun 2015 01:19 PM - 36,309 Readers

By: Chris Cybulski

Lake Travis is up more than 40 feet from the same time last year, setting businesses up for a busy summer.

VIP Marina took a few blows during the Memorial Day weekend storms -- only about 100 feet separate it from shore -- but that's something operators say they can't complain about.

"We are still open for business and just getting ready for a huge, huge weekend,” the marina’s Chris Leach said.

Leach expects his gas sales to at least double. With public boat ramps open, he says he already sees people returning.

"People have been waiting so long to get back out here that it is going to help us out this year,” Leach said.

A mile down shore at Riviera Marina, they're dusting off their trams. Less than a month ago, a nearly empty channel meant it took Steve Allen 15 minutes to put one boat in the water by trailer. Now, life is easy.

"We are down to two minutes. Put it in the water, tie it up, customer uses it and leaves,” Allen said.

Allen says he expects Riviera Marina to put in 60 to 80 boats a day during the weekend, but the recent rains are bringing more than just boats.

"This stuff (debris) is floating in the water and probably will be for another week,” Allen said.

The marinas are out sweeping the lake for logs and stumps. They are asking boaters to pick up debris, which the marinas will dispose of for free. They think it will help lead to a great summer.

"People are ready to go,” Allen said. “Lake Travis is back.”