Posted: Thu, 16 Jun 2016 01:28 PM - 43,141 Readers

By: Jane Wester

City of Austin traffic cones and caution tape blocked access to the water at the Walsh Boat Landing near Hula Hut on Monday. But the watercraft ban on Lady Bird Lake will be lifted at noon Thursday. Rodolfo Gonzalez / AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Lady Bird Lake will reopen to boats at noon Thursday after being closed for more than a week, the Austin Fire Department said.

On Wednesday, the department ended its ban for the portion of Lake Austin, upstream from Oyster Landing to Mansfield Dam. The rest of the Lake Austin, from Oyster Landing to Tom Miller Dam and a portion of Lady Bird Lake that includes the southern end of Red Bud Isle, remained closed Thursday.

The fire department reminded people eager to enjoy the water to wear a life jacket, stay sober and avoid activity near the dams. Also, swimming is never allowed in Lady Bird Lake.

The lifting of the ban on Lady Bird Lake comes as the Austin metro area is under a heat advisory Thursday afternoon and in the early evening. The National Weather Service predicts an elevated heat index, which factors in humidity with air temperature, and make it feel like 103 degrees outside, even if the thermometer says it’s only around 95.

Heat indices in the triple digits may last through Saturday, the weather service said.