Posted: Sun, 19 Jul 2009 09:36 PM - 8,959 Readers

By: Dave Fraser

About 75 percent of the State of Texas has been affected by what is now being said as the worst drought to hit Texas in nearly 100 years and it's only getting worse.

In Lake Travis, the water level has fallen so low, some boat owners haven't been able to use the lake's docks in nearly two years. Lake Travis is losing about a foot of water a week.

In addition, Park officials at Lake Corpus Christi said the water level has dropped 12 feet this past year.

Lake levels have dropped so much, underwater hazards have come dangerously close to the surface. The water is so low submerged stumps and trees are starting to rise above the surface of the water and that poses a very dangerous situation for boaters and jet skiers.

"If you're out on the water boating or jet skiing, you want to make sure that you watch out for any underground terrain or any obstacles that may have shown up since the water levels have dropped, that would have been submerged but now they're exposed," Lake Corpus Christi State Park's Ethan Belicek said.

Belicek identified another dangerous area for boaters.

"Mostly around the shoreline as the water recedes, the more of the shore is exposed, there's more land out there to hit," Belicek said.

Also, the low water levels have also forced park officials to close boat ramps.

"For us, it's a matter of launching safety. Once the lake level recedes past the end of the boat ramp, there is a dip or a shallow spot where the cement ends. If the trailer tires go past that, they tend to get hung up on it," Belicek said.

Park officials advised people to use common sense when boating or jet skiing on the lake.

"Just go slower, keep an eye out, pay attention and follow all the safe boating rules," Belicek said.

In addition, for some of the wildlife, the low lake levels has made the lake easy fishing grounds and it's made for great swimming for the kids.

"Actually it kind of benefits the swimmers as the lake goes down, the water gets shallower. It's a little easier to play in," Belicek said.

*  Story Contributed by: Dave Fraser