Posted: Fri, 17 Sep 2010 09:42 AM - 11,417 Readers

By: Erin Cargile

photograph by Erin Cargile

The 'park closed' signs did not keep bikers off the flooded banks along Brushy Creek in Cedar Park Thursday. But, more than a week after heavy rains from Hermine came pouring down a boat is still needed to get to the soccer field, scoreboard and concession stands at the sports complex.

"It is dropping," said Joe Vencia who can finally see the trails at Brushy Creek Lake Park again where he takes a stroll nearly everyday. "It came up right here up to the parking lots to the main driveway as you go in."

While it may not look like it, the system in place to control the water level is working. Unlike floodgates along Lake Travis and the Highland Lakes, the dams in Brushy Creek drain much slower. Water has to pass through pipes a couple of feet wide.

"The only way water is released is either through the small pipe or if we get enough rain, some will go through an emergency spillway going around the dam," said Mike Erdmann, general manager for the Upper Brushy Creek and Water Control Improvement District.

After the heavy rains, the water went down eight feet in eight days. The lake has 16 more feet to go before it is back to normal. The water backed up in the parks prevents flooding further down the pike where homes and businesses sit.

It will be at least a week until the water level behind one the dams is back to normal. It could take at least another week until the second dam is done draining.

"Everybody's waiting," said Vencia. "We're thinking about maybe three weeks."

But there is a bright side as onlookers reflect on the standing water that has taken over trees.

 "Cedar trees can't live more than two weeks underwater," said Erdmann. "So for those cedar fever sufferers, we're gonna thin out the herd."

The standing water does create safety concerns. The Williamson County Health District is urging folks to use mosquito repellant, wear long pants and to watch out for snakes and rodents.

Click here for more clean-up and safety information.

*  Story Contributed by: Erin Cargile