While many people try to beat the heat by jumping in waterways, the extreme drought conditions have made swimming in Central Texas more dangerous than usual.

Bob Rose is a meteorologist with the Lower Colorado River Authority. He said Lake Travis has changed dramatically.

“The levels of the lake continue to drop very quickly. We are continuing to see the level of both Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan dropping now more than a foot per week,” he said.

Those familiar with Lake Travis may be surprised by its current appearance. Sandbars and islands, once underwater, are now exposed.

The profile of the lake beneath the water is entirely different now for swimmers, experts say. Depths can change suddenly and surprise swimmers.

“You can be in two and three feet of water wading around fine and, all of a sudden, there’s a drop off and you may find you are in 20-feet of water,” Don Brent, Chief of Public Safety for the Lower Colorado River Authority said. “If you are not a good swimmer, you can get in trouble in a hurry.”

Until the region receives considerable rain, levels in the lake will continue to drop. That means swimmers will need to continue to use extra caution when cooling off in the water.