Labor Day typically marks the end of the summer boating season and hundreds of people are expected to squeeze in a visit to LCRA’s lakes and parks. During this time, LCRA would like to remind visitors to keep safety in mind both on and off the water.

Those who plan to swim or boat should wear a life jacket and be aware of lake traffic and their surroundings. Life jacket loaner board stations are available on Lake Travis at Mansfield Dam Park and Bob Wentz Park at Windy Point and on Lake Marble Falls at Cottonwood Shores. All loaner board stations will be stocked with life jackets in children and adult sizes for visitors to use and return at no charge.

Boat ramps and lake levels
Currently, there is one public boat ramp open at each Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan. Mansfield Dam Park has the only public boat ramp available for boaters to use on Lake Travis. It is usable until the lake level drops below 632 feet above mean sea level (msl). As of Aug. 29, the lake was around 636 feet above msl.

On Lake Buchanan, White Bluff Park, which is operated by Burnet County, is the only public boat ramp available for launching. It is usable until the lake level falls below 993 feet msl. As of Aug. 29, the lake level was around 995 feet msl. For more information on Highland Lakes public boat ramps and current lake levels, visit www.lcra.org/parks/boat_ramp_info.html.

Lake Austin personal watercraft ban
The Austin Police Department Lake Patrol Unit will enforce the City of Austin’s personal watercraft ban on Lake Austin from sunset Friday, Aug. 31, until sunrise Tuesday, Sept. 4. The City of Austin has jurisdiction over Lake Austin. For more information, call the APD Lake Patrol Unit at (512) 329-8841. LCRA does not ban the use of any type of watercraft on lakes over which it has jurisdiction – lakes Buchanan, Inks, LBJ, Marble Falls, Travis, Fayette and Bastrop.

Camping and LCRA parks
LCRA’s parks are also expecting increased attendance this Labor Day weekend. LCRA honors burn bans issued by individual counties where its parks are located. If you plan to camp, know that fireworks, including sparklers and firecrackers are always prohibited on LCRA lands and waters. While a burn ban is in effect, ground fires are prohibited because continuing dry conditions could lead to wildfires.

For more information on LCRA Parks, including parks in counties with active burn bans, visit http://www.lcra.org/parks/index.html.