Posted: Wed, 7 Jul 2010 11:56 AM - 13,357 Readers

By: Jacqueline Ingles

Thousands of people and boats are expected on Lake Travis this weekend for AquaPalooza, a music festival Brad Paisley is headlining.

Crowds coupled with more than a thousand boats are raising safety concerns for  public safety agencies, particularly, the Lake Travis Task Force, an umbrella organization comprised of the public safety agencies, like the Lower Colorado River Authority Rangers and Travis County Sheriff's Office, that have jurisdiction on or adjacent to Lake Travis.

Officers from various agencies have been meeting over the past few months to determine how to best keep people safe at the event.

"Everybody is working together with the promoter to make sure everybody is safe," Roger Wade, public information officer for the Travis County Sheriff's Office told reporters.

One of the main concerns the increased number of boats that will be on the lake and the potential for accidents.

Alcohol consumption, traveling at high speeds and horseplay were all cited as actions that lead to a lot of accidents.  Lack of boating experience also made the list.

Boaters and other festival attendees are being urged to curb how much alcohol they drink and stay hydrated.

Public safety is not the only concern, protecting the integrity of the lake itself is also a top priority.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials will be inspecting boats entering Lake Travis for  music festival looking for two invasive species, lakegiant salvinia and zebra mussels, that could damage the lake.

"Zebra mussels are an invasive species that can plug water intake systems and damage your boats engine," explained Brian Van Zee, regional director for TPWD, in an informational YouTube video created by the department.  "They attach to fishing piers and boat docks and harm Texas lakes by affecting the food chain."

They can seriously harm lakes once they are introduced into the water and either species is found, boaters can be turned away or fined $2,000 or more.

To avoid being turned away or fined Van Zee advises boat owners to clean, drain and dry their boat, trailer and gear before coming to the music festival.

The festival kicks off Saturday, July 10, at The Reserve, located at Calcasieu Point, mile marker 22 on Lake Travis near Austin, Texas.