Lake Austin was a busy place this Memorial Day. Now overcrowding is causing waves to splash away at the shoreline, a problem the city must address.
They've created a task force that is looking to change the rules out on Lake Austin, possibly limiting the amount of people allowed on the lake.
Todd Bode has been coming to Lake Austin for more than 50 years, but his once-secluded getaway is now getting overcrowded.
"It is getting to be too much for this lake, especially since Lake Travis was shut down with all the drought," said Bode.
On holidays like Memorial Day, tons of people show up for a good time, but with more boats on the water tougher waves are created. It is a problem that is slowly chipping away at the shorelines.
"People that have land are having erosion take away their property bit by bit if they don't have enough bunk," said Bode.
In an effort to stop the growing problem, City Council is putting together a task force to look at different solutions. The committee would be made up of homeowners along Lake Austin, in addition to city officials.
So far ideas on the table include:
- creating navigation control zones
- limiting the number or type of watercraft allowed on the water
- using structures to break up the waves before they hit the shore
There are already No Wake Zones on the lake, rules boaters don't always follow.
"People are splashing down into the water, which is causing wakes that are going on in a 'no wake zone,'" said John Rodriguez, co-owner of a Lake Austin boat rental company.
The task force is also planning on taking a look at water quality out on the lake, a problem made worse by the overcrowding.
The new rules could restrict the number of people out in the waters at one time. The panel will be talking with experts to figure out the best solution to stop this problem.
As for Bode, he said they're restrictions that will change the fun on Lake Austin.
"It's a bad problem," said Bode. "It just gives the quality of life a tainted status because no one can get to do all the things they used to."
