Water craft ban on Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin lifted

UPDATE: The Fire Chief has rescinded the waterway ban for Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake, effective immediately. To stay informed to area flood status operations by LCRA, click here

 


 

The Fire Chief of the Austin Fire Department has closed Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin due to heavy rains earlier this week and additional discharge from Mansfield Dam. The ban remains in effect through 12 Noon on Monday, May 23 and will be reevaluated at that time. 

The Fire Chief released the following statement:

Due to large rainwater from storms that began during the week of May 15, 2016. Additional waters are entering City of Austin waterways from waters discharged at Mansfield Dam by the Lower Colorado River Authority.

These conditions have created high and swift waters, which combined with debris, has made recreational, commercial, and navigational use of Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake unsafe.
Under the Authority of Section 8-5-21 of the Austin City Code, I hereby determine that flood conditions exist in the following described lakes:

  •  Lake Austin
  •  Lady Bird Lake
  •  Said waterways are collectively the “Flood Ban Area.”

I hereby ORDER a ban on all commercial or navigational boating in and all recreational use of the Flood Ban Area.

Persons are advised that it is an offense to violate this ORDER or to attempt a low water crossing or any road that has been barricaded.

Watercraft illegally being operated on waters in the Flood Ban Area may be impounded.

Persons should contact the City of Austin Police Headquarters at 715 E. 8th St., Austin, during business hours, to request written authorization to secure property in the Flood Ban Area. Proof of ownership or occupancy is required.

Posted at City Hall on this 21st day of May, 2016.

This Order is effective at 12 Noon, Saturday, May 21, 2016 and expires at 12 Noon, Monday, May 23, 2016.