Marble Falls prepping for crowds

MARBLE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) - As low water levels threaten to close the remaining two boats ramps on Lakes Travis and Buchanan, other lakes along the Highland chain are bracing for an overflow of traffic this holiday weekend.

The Lower Colorado River Authority said total ramp closures on Travis and Buchanan have only happened twice in the last 25 years.

LCRA meteorologists predict both open ramps could close within a week, as Travis and Buchanan continue to a drop by an average two feet during this drought.

Brent Longwill and his group of friends are taking as much time with his parents’ boat before heading off to college in the fall.

“Lake Travis is completely out of the water,” Longwill said. “Well, it has no water in it, and there are no boats on this lake.”

As he backed the boat into Lake Marble Falls, his became the only vessel on the water.

“Well, we don’t want to draw any attention here. This is rare.”

At 11 square miles, Lake Marble Falls is the smallest in the Highland chain. As water suppliers, Travis and Buchanan help keep it and the other lakes at near constant stages.

“Oh yeah,” Longwill said, “I can imagine it being a zoo on Fourth of July.”

Take a YouTube tour on Lake Marble Falls from Longwill's boat below:

Travis and Buchanan are normally the most popular lakes, according to LCRA. As people made plans to avoid the lines at one of those few remaining ramps, Marble Falls police prepared for an increase in boaters on their lake.

“If they’re low, then they’re going to come here, because we have the water,” said Marble Falls Police Captain Robert Sooter.

Sooter’s unit will be out on the water over the weekend, along with a Texas Parks & Wildlife crew.

“The jet skiers getting too close to other water craft is the main thing,” he said. “Then you get those that are too loud and throwing things off of boats. That happens sometimes.”

With so many people potentially packed into such a small lake, Sooter said his officers are not afraid to kick people out of the water. Last weekend, they did just that with a “rowdy” group of boaters. He expected the upcoming weekend to be worse.

“I have a swimming pool,” he joked, knowing he would be off-duty for the holiday. “I like to see my feet in the water.”

Scoping out his weekend possibility, Longwill laughed when asked if he planned to cause any trouble.
“Of course not,” he smiled. “Want a beer?”

Police remind boaters Lake Marble Falls has only one public boat ramp. Those looking to find relief on a less-crowded lake might have to wait in line to get on the water.