Lake Travis boat ramps shutdown due to drought
LAKE TRAVIS, Texas – The Tournament Point boat ramp at Pace Bend Park is set to cease its operations temporarily due to the continuation of the low water levels at Lake Travis. As described by boat owner Jason Knight, this closure, while necessary, has a bittersweet tinge, for it marks the end of a remarkable summer filled with joyous moments on the water. “It’s dropping a little bit every day, you know I’m going to miss being out here,” Knight expressed with a hint of nostalgia.
According to the latest reports from Water Data for Texas, the water level in Lake Travis has fallen below 632 feet near the Tournament Point boat ramp. This decrease in water level has unfortunately compelled the authorities to shut off access to the boat ramps at Travis County Park. Knight, a keen observer of the lake’s fluctuating conditions, wonders if this will become the new norm. “I have been here long enough to see the lake go through many cycles full and empty,” he reflected with a sense of curiosity.
Aware of the imminent closure, boat and jet ski owners made the most of their time on Tuesday, seeking the thrills of water recreation before bidding adieu to the boat ramp at 7:15 p.m. that same day. Knight, savoring his last moments of boating this summer, shared, “Last day with the boat ramp, got to get out one more time this summer.” Likewise, Jet Ski owner Tere Mccan expressed the urgency to remove her jet ski from the lake before winter fully sets in.
With hopes of a reprieve, both Knight and Mccan are yearning for lower temperatures and a change in the forecast to replenish the dwindling water levels. Knight revealed his aspirations, saying, “I’m hoping for this El Niño winter to bring in a lot of rain and fill us back up.” Mccan echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for rain and expressing her desire to witness the departure of the high pressure dome hindering the inflow of water. “We start getting some water coming through,” she emphasized.
Mccan couldn’t help but remark upon the striking similarity between this year and the previous one, with the lake battling another drought. Drawing from past experience, she recalled, “I have been through it before with the last drought, it was lower about 15 to 20 feet lower, and hopefully this fall and spring we are going to recover.” With unwavering optimism, Mccan clings to the expectation that the forthcoming seasons will bring relief and restoration to the lake’s water levels.
