CENTRAL TEXAS — Boat ramp and lake park closures have been looming over Central Texas due to the long severe weather season, however, most closures will be lifted for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
The closures came after frequent storms hit the area resulting in Central Texas lakes being at their maximum capacity.
However, finally as the Fourth of July holiday weekend approaches, many closures will end.
Texas Game Warden Matt Kiel wants the public to keep a few things in mind to stay safe.
"If you look at this water you cannot find something once it falls to the bottom, we have to do a lot of different things that we do to recover a body and that makes it very difficult. If you're thinking you'll be able to swim down and save somebody, you're not going to be able to do it," said Kiel. "Wear a life jacket if you're not a good swimmer, I would say wear a life jacket if you are a good swimmer, especially if you're taking care of kids in the water as well. Wear a life jacket especially if you're taking care of kids, and if its your kid make sure they're in a good life jacket, their is no excuse not to have a kid in a life jacket."
We spoke with Lake Waco lead Park Ranger Mike Champagne. He explained that his team has been waiting for the water levels to lower so debris can disperse.
"We're in the process of drawing down the lake after the floods, we're 8/10ths of a foot high, so we're almost close to normal. We had a lot of grills and picnic tables that were knocked over, misplaced and damaged. Financially, the biggest affect is the cost of the repairs, having to repair after every single flood that we've had in the last few years, it adds up quiet a bit. The camp grounds will be reopened on the first of July," said Champagne.
Earlier in the year, Champagne said that it's a violation of a federal regulation when they have gates, signs or barricades up. Anyone that goes around them is in violation.
He also said during the floods, when all of their facilities are closed, it's not illegal to be on the lake. He said they do advice against it because of all the debris and submerged hazards.
The following links have detailed information on reopenings and closures per each lake in the Central Texas area:
Here are a list of websites:
