Low lake levels could prevent injuries

LAKE TRAVIS, Texas (KXAN) - If you hate waiting in line, that annoyance might keep you out of danger this holiday weekend. Because of low lake levels, Lake Travis has only one public boat ramp still open, something many people are willing to avoid.

Travis County Chief Park Ranger Dan Chapman said, “We’re down to two lanes only, and we don’t have as much traffic as we expected.”

Still, the 45-minute wait was worth it for other boaters like Chris Humphrey.

“We used Jonestown two years ago,” Humphrey said. “I tore my boat up over there putting it in. This is the only one I’ll come to now.”

Lucky his favorite launch site, the ramp at Mansfield Dam, was still open. The other eleven closed, as the lake level dropped during the drought this summer. Chapman said the closures and the lack of water scared many boaters away.

“To tell you the truth, we expected a lot more traffic,” he said. “So we asked for some extra help this weekend. We thought we’d have so much traffic, we’d be backed out onto 620, the highway.”

Travis County Sheriff’s Deputies helped direct traffic for those dedicated to boating on the beginning of this holiday weekend.

“I don’t know about that,” said Jeb Paxton, who was swimming on the lake. “I like wake-boarding and everything, but the water’s too low right now.”

Rangers said the extra patrol, plus fewer people on the lake will help with safety. Texas Parks & Wildlife said, So far this year, boating deaths are down. There were 36 by this time last year in Texas. In 2009, there are only 20.

Humphrey said a less populated lake will also give him more freedom. After the line though, he was debating the rest of the weekend.

“I will probably be longer lines,” he said. “But as long as these guys are directing, it’s not too bad.”

Lower Colorado River Authority officials said regular Travis boaters will still be in the water this weekend. The other lakes along the Highland Lakes could overflow with visitors looking for an alternative.

While Lake Travis is down 26 feet from its July average, Lake Buchanan is in the same boat. Down 13 feet, it also has only one public boat ramp open this weekend. It is the one at White Bluff Park. LCRA expects that ramp and the one at Travis to close sometime next week, as the lakes recede an average two feet a week.

Below, take a YouTube tour of the lone boat ramp along Lake Travis: