In addition to fireworks, outdoor barbecues, and families getting together for picnics, Fourth of July celebrations often include a visit to the lake. That is particularly the case in areas like Brown County, which is fortunate to have an asset like Lake Brownwood. The holiday this weekend may require lake enthusiasts in the state to do a little more research with finding a place to put their boat in the water. Lakes in some parts of the state are experiencing low water levels.

I wrote in last week’s column that I had attended the 130th annual summer convention of the Texas Press Association held in Austin. One of the evening event venues was north of the city overlooking Lake Travis. I was startled when we reached the third floor patio where dinner was going to be served and we had our first view of the lake. I have never seen the lake level as low. Our daughter lived in Austin for nearly 12 years and we visited her often. We were not really boat people but we often took rides around the area and enjoyed many of the beautiful views of the lake.

In the summer of 1998, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the former Woodson newspapers being a part of the Boone Newspaper organization, the company planned a management meeting in Texas. As a part of the celebration, Jim Boone established a scholarship in the name of Shelton Prince, the former Bulletin publisher, at Howard Payne University. My wife and I helped to organize the three-day meeting to be held at the Lakeway Resort near Austin. One of the options we were given for an evening dinner venue was a dinner cruise on Lake Travis. It sounded like a good idea to us, somewhat risky, eating outdoors, on a lake, but it could be worth the gamble. I remember driving down to Austin from the Prince scholarship ceremony and thinking the decision could be career limiting if it stormed. It turned out to be a wonderful experience, a beautiful evening on the lake with a full moon casting its light across the water. When Carol and I took our seats two weeks ago, I commented how fortunate we were it did not look like that 11 years earlier or I may not have been here to see the contrast.
There were sand bar islands visible where they haven’t been in recent years. The American-Statesman reported in the June 20 edition that at least 10 of the 12 boat ramps into Lake Travis are closed. In the same article the Lower Colorado River Authority reported two of the four boat ramps into Lake Buchanan are unavailable. A two-year drought in the Central Texas region has dropped lake levels throughout the area and threatens to close even more public boat ramps. According to an LCRA spokesperson, Lake Travis is losing more than a foot of water a week, and Lake Buchanan is losing a about a half a foot. With temperatures hovering around the century mark predicted over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, that is not good news for boaters in and around the capital city.

While the conditions at Travis and Buchanan are not favorable, water levels are relatively constant at Inks Lake, Lake LBJ, Lake Marble Falls, Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake, so those seeking fun on the water may first have to take to the road. Lake Brownwood could become a destination for some. The nearly five-inch rain around the county early this week was welcome but it did not have much impact on the lake. The water level is down about six feet but it should not hamper the holiday weekend activity. Likewise at Lake Proctor the water level is down only about five feet and Possum Kingdom about four feet. In contrast Buchanan is down about 20 feet and Travis 28 feet.

There may not be a single major fireworks show this year at Lake Brownwood, but there should be no reason area residents and visitors should not be able to enjoy their favorite activities on on the lake.