See Texas Lakes Closures & Partial Closures!

Some Texas Lakes Are Closed or Partially Closed to Boating!

The recent Texas rains have been so heavy that they could cover the whole State of Texas in eight inches of water. Central Texas lakes closed to recreational boating include Lake Travis, Inks Lake, Lake LBJ, Lake Marble Falls, Lake Austin, (Town Lake) in downtown Austin. In other parts of Texas, Lake Worth (Fort Worth) and Lavon Lake (Wylie, TX) are closed to boating. All campgrounds and boat ramps on Proctor Lake (Proctor TX) are closed. Murrell Park and all boat ramps on Lake Grapevine (Grapevine TX) are closed.

Belton Lake    USACE

Many other lakes have partial park and/or boat ramp closures, including Aquilla Lake (Hillsboro TX), Bardwell Lake (Ennis TX), Belton Lake (Belton TX), Benbrook Lake (Benbrook TX), Lake Georgetown (Georgetown TX), Joe Pool Lake (Grand Prairie & Cedar Hill TX), Lake O' the Pines (Jefferson TX), Lewisville Lake (Lewisville TX), Navarro Mills Lake (Dawson TX), Ray Roberts Lake parks (Denton TX) Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Zavalla TX), Wright Patman Lake (Atlanta TX), and Lake Somerville (Somerville TX). Lake Waco closures include all marinas and campgrounds, except Bosque Park Day Use. Lake Whitney closures include all campgrounds and marinas.

Lake O.C. Fisher 2011 Drought    Travis Dowell, USGS

On the flip side, some lakes are still experiencing drought problems. The swimming beaches at Hords Creek Lake near Coleman, Texas are closed due to drought. All boat ramps on O.C. Fisher Reservoir are closed.

Add Lake Travis to Central TX Lakes Closed To Boating!

Lake Travis    Rahel Eden Copyright

An indefinite ban was imposed on Lake Travis boating today after heavy rains and high waters swept lawn chairs and other debris into the lake. LCRA officials said it could be days or weeks before the ban is lifted, depending how much more rain falls and where it falls. Monday's rains at Mansfield Dam Park submerged some of the benches, barbecue pits, part of the boat ramp, and other amenities. This ban is in addition to the recreational boating bands on Inks Lake, Lake LBJ, Lake Marble Falls, Lake Austin, and Lady Bird Lake (Town Lake). 

Mansfield Dam Park Boat Ramp 3/21/09  Rahel Eden Copyright 

Mansfield Dam Park Picnic Area 3/29/09  Rahel Eden Copyright

Lake Travis Cypress Creek Park Boat Ramp 3.21/09  Rahel Eden Copyright

A Few Central Texas Lakes Closed Due to Rains

June 3, 2016: Due to heavy rains, the recreational boating ban on Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake has been extended until Monday, June 6 at 12pm.

Lady Bird Lake (Town Lake)  Michael Rutledge  CC BY

Lake Austin    Rahel Eden Copyright

June 3, 2016: The LCRA has temporarily suspended recreational boating on Inks Lake, Lake Marble Falls, and Lake LBJ.

Lake Marble Falls   Public Domain

Lake LBJ at FM 1431  Rahel Eden Copyright

Inks Lake    Rahel Eden Copyright