ELEVATION OF LAKE TRAVIS — JANUARY TO JULY
BEFORE (January 2007)	AFTER (June 27 flooding)

AUSTIN – Lake Travis will be open to recreational boating for the first weekend since the drought-breaking flood of 2007 began three weeks ago, but lake conditions have changed significantly and LCRA reminds people to be safe while having fun on the water.

“The lake is deeper now, the water is swifter and flood debris can be hazardous to boats,” said LCRA General Manager Joe Beal. “Please remember that nobody’s waterproof and play it safe when you’re out on the lake – not just this weekend but for the rest of the summer, too.”

Lake Travis is a very different lake today compared to three weeks ago, six months ago, and even last summer, when the lake was about 50 percent full because of extended drought conditions.

Travis rose 57 feet between Jan. 2, when it was 644.1 feet above mean sea level (msl), and July 6, when the lake peaked at 701.5 msl during the drought-breaking flood that began June 27 with record heavy rains in Marble Falls.

On July 19, the elevation of Travis was 683 msl – more than 18 feet lower than the July 6 peak. However, the lake – created to protect downstream communities by holding floodwaters – still remains in its flood pool. Lake Travis is considered full at 681 feet msl.

For a safe day on the water, follow these six simple tips from the Nobody’s Waterproof™ water safety campaign sponsored by LCRA and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

1. Always wear a life jacket.
2. Know the rules. Obey Texas boating laws, read and follow buoy signs, and have life jackets and other required safety equipment on board your boat.
3. Know where you are on the lake in case you need to call for help.
4. Never swim alone. Ask friends and family to watch each other in and around the water.
5. Drink lots of water, especially in the sun and heat.
6. Try to avoid alcohol while on the water. It’s against the law to operate a boat while under the influence. If you do drink, be responsible and designate a driver for the boat and a safe ride home.

LCRA’s navigational channel markers that mark the deeper parts of the lake and the normal hazard buoys are back in place on the lake. Beal asked boaters to obey these signs and to watch out for unmarked, submerged hazards, like tree trunks and propane tanks. Debris can move around with the wind and current, and an area that was clear may contain debris later.

Lake-goers should avoid boating at night and should go slow any time of day, especially the first time they get on the lake after the flood. Slowing down allows more time to react to unexpected situations and hitting objects at a slow speed is likely to cause less damage. But serious injuries can occur even at boating speeds as slow as 20 miles per hour.

A good map of the lake is essential to have on board, especially now that the lake has changed and it’s easier to become disoriented. Boaters also should have a marine radio and cell phone on board and should know where they are at all times in case they need to call for help.

LCRA Rangers will be on the lake this weekend to help law enforcement agencies respond to calls for help and enforce water safety laws.

Tests show that the water quality of Lake Travis is back to pre-flood conditions, barring additional rainfall. However, there is always a risk of illness caused by bacteria when swimming in a lake or river. This risk is greater after localized rainfall and flooding but usually returns to normal in a week to 10 days.

Many of LCRA’s public parks and boat ramps at Lake Travis are open, including several operated by Travis County. But some of the parks have limited access and not all of the boat ramps are open yet. (See latest status report on parks, boat ramps at Lake Travis.) Check the LCRA Web site at www.lcra.org and the Travis County Web site for the latest park information.