Posted: Sat, 30 May 2015 06:49 AM - 40,616 Readers

By: Kris Betts, KVUE

As the water rises in Lake Travis from recent heavy rain, it's a matter of time before "Sometimes Island" is fully submerged.

As of Friday evening, Lake Travis only needed to rise an additional five feet to cover the land and trees.

While the rain has brought damage and devastation in parts of Central Texas, it's been beneficial for boaters and businesses on the lake.

"Even this morning I'm probably twice as busy as I anticipated," said The Oasis General Manager Johnathan Silva.

After years of watching the lake level get lower and lower while "Sometimes Island" got bigger and bigger, restaurants like the Oasis are reaping the benefits of a good soaking.

"In the last week we've started to experience on weekend evenings maybe 40 percent more business than we're accustomed to this time of year," Silva said.



Now the countdown is on to see when "Sometimes Island" will become "Not There Anymore Island."

"Everyone's betting five, 10 dollars all around, all the waiters are trying to figure out when it's going to be," said Silva.

Max Starcke Dam opened up on Friday, pumping more water in Lake Travis.

There's still a lot of debris to watch out for on the lake, and Silva said he understands that the downpours have been a mixed blessing.

"It's tough to be here and be so excited but I've been sitting here for 5 years, we've been suffering a bit so it's exciting for us but at the same time we're aware of what it's doing to other people as well," he said.

Friday morning, Lake Travis was at 70 percent capacity. By Friday evening, it had risen to 73 percent.

*  Story Contributed by: Kris Betts, KVUE