Lower lake levels bring safety concerns

Posted: Sun, 24 Apr 2011 03:56 PM - 15,585 Readers

Flamingstar Duggan and her husband are avid boaters and can usually be found aboard their boat on Lake Travis during the summer months.

The couple usually launches their boat at Cypress Mill, but lowered lake levels due to drought forced the couple to launch their boat at Mansfield Dam Park on Easter Sunday.

"Cypress is on the other side of the lake, we had to come all the way down 620," explained Duggan.

Lake Travis is already down 12 feet from average and 22 feet from full.

Lowered levels are limiting where boaters can launch. Duggan said Mansfield Dam is one of the only places deep enough to get her boat into the water.

Jet skiers and tubers are also facing safety risks with lower water levels.

"You just have to watch where you are going, watch where your weeds are sticking out of the water," said Lisa Collier, who took her jet ski out for a spin.

Collier believes it is easier to gauge where to launch a boat than where it is safe to take a jet ski.

"If you have your own boat ramp, you can see where things are," Collier added.

Lower lake levels didn't stop water enthusiasts from taking a dip and hitting up the lake.

Although high winds made the water choppy, both Collier and Duggan told KXAN they are not concerned we will see a repeat of 2009 when Lake Travis dropped by 34 feet.

They plan on enjoying the warm weather and are not expecting a shortened boating season.

"It was gorgeous out there," Duggan said.

* Story Contributed by: Jacqueline Ingles

[edit]

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