Volunteers monitor lighted mile-marker buoys on lakes Travis and Buchanan. More about buoys and markers. More about Lake Watch program. FREE NEWSLETTER: This story is in Water Forum, LCRA's free e-mail newsletter for the Highland Lakes and Hill Country region. Don't miss an issue! If you are not a subscriber, click the button to register.

Welcome to Judith Leuck and Stuart Ford — the newest members of LCRA Lake Watch's "Adopt a Buoy" program.

Leuck, who lives near Cypress Creek on Lake Travis, monitors mile marker buoy No. 6. Ford lives near Lakeway and monitors the buoys from Lakeway to Anderson Bend on Lake Travis.

They are among the lakeside residents along the Highland Lakes chain who volunteer to monitor more than 60 lighted mile marker buoys on Lake Travis and about 30 mile marker buoys on Lake Buchanan. These volunteers help LCRA maintain safety on these busy waterways.

Recently, Ford informed LCRA staff that the lights on mile markers No. 18 and No. 19 had been damaged and were not working. Staff was able to promptly inspect these buoys and replaced both lights.

"Tell the maintenance crew thanks for all of us who travel at night around markers 18 and 19," Ford said in a follow-up e-mail to LCRA staff. "As you probably know better than I do, markers 18 and 19 are very important navigational aids for night-time Lake Travis boaters as they guide us around a 90-degree turn and clear of a very hazardous shallow area! Please compliment the maintenance crew on the excellent night-time dependability of the hazard buoys around the marker buoys to navigate the turn!"

Ford, Leuck and other "Adopt a Buoy" volunteers help keep LCRA informed about the condition of channel and hazard markers, helping keep the lakes a safer place to navigate. Lake Watch members who volunteer agree to monitor the buoys for signs of damage, improperly working lights and to make sure they are in the correct locations.

Even though LCRA has a regular inspection schedule to check the condition of the buoys, having the assistance of lake residents greatly improves the ability to keep the buoys fully operational in between inspections. The volunteers each month e-mail or call in to report on their adopted buoys.

If you live near a lake, drop anchor for the "Adopt a Buoy" program. LCRA has several orphaned buoys looking for "parents," and you will help keep your lakeside community safe. To volunteer, contact me at 1-800-777-5272, Ext. 7152, or e-mail lakewatch@lcra.org.

Rountree is LCRA's Lake Watch program coordinator.

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