Posted: Tue, 23 Sep 2025 02:01 PM - 70 Readers

By: Joseph Sweeney - KXAN

Texas Game Wardens addressed seven boating-related incidents during the Labor Day weekend of Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, according to a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) news release. This marks a slight decrease from the nine incidents reported the previous year. However, the department noted a concerning increase in boating-related fatalities, with two deaths occurring this year—one on Lake Buchanan and another on Lake Conroe—compared to a single fatality at Amistad Reservoir in 2024.

Col. Ron VanderRoest, TPWD’s law enforcement director, expressed sorrow over the lives lost and emphasized the importance of safe boating practices. “Our wardens work tirelessly to prevent tragedies, but these incidents reinforce that safety on the water is a partnership,” he said. Alongside the incidents, seven individuals were arrested for boating while intoxicated, though no open-water drownings were reported. The department continues to urge the public to prioritize responsible boating to prevent such tragedies.