Only marina at Lake Meredith to close

AMARILLO, Texas (AP) - Low water levels are leading to the closure of the only marina at Lake Meredith.

The National Park Service on Monday announced the marina will close as of Jan. 1.

The Amarillo Globe-News reports the marina was run for the last 17 years under a contract with a private company, Forever Resorts.

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area superintendent Cindy Ott-Jones said lake levels, down to about 38 feet, prompted the closure. She said visitation to the lake, about 30 miles northeast of Amarillo, has slipped by about 20 percent since 2009 due to declining water levels.

The marina, located at the Sanford-Yake section of the park, offers boat and slip rentals and includes a retail store that sells boating permits. The boat ramp near the marina will remain open.