AUSTIN - Police are urging the public to stay off Austin waterways as a temporary ban remains in effect due to hazardous conditions, officials said Saturday.
Waterways Ban Ignored
What we know:
Despite the ongoing ban, the Austin Police Department reported that individuals have continued to venture onto the water, prompting a public safety warning. Authorities emphasized that while conditions may appear calm from the shoreline, the waterways present hidden dangers.
Lake Travis hits 100% capacity for the first time in seven years as Texas floods recede
A stubborn weather system that brought dramatic flooding and unseasonably cool temperatures to Central Texas this week is finally pulling away, leaving Lake Travis completely full for the first time in seven years.
What they're saying:
"Please don't," the department said in a statement. "Fast-moving water, strong currents, and hidden debris can quickly turn a day on the lake into a life-threatening situation."
The ban strictly prohibits public access to Lake Austin from Mansfield Dam to Tom Miller Dam, Lady Bird Lake, and the Colorado River downstream of Longhorn Dam.
Additionally, officials are asking the public to avoid riverfront trails. High water levels and the ongoing potential for flash flooding have made many nearby paths unsafe.
What's next:
The emergency waterways ban is scheduled to remain in effect until 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 21.
Police noted that compliance with the restriction is critical not only for public safety but also to protect first responders from dangerous rescue operations.
The Source: Information in this article is from the Austin Police Department.