Don’t let the sunshine fool you. Several popular Austin waterways are temporarily off-limits after days of storms across Central Texas.
The temporary waterways ban took effect immediately Friday, July 17, and is expected to remain in place until 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 21. City officials said the restriction is meant to keep residents and visitors safe as higher water levels and increased debris make local waterways unsafe for recreational, commercial and navigational use.
The ban applies to all personal and commercial watercraft, including canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, wet bikes, motorized surfboards and similar devices on Lake Austin between Mansfield Dam and Tom Miller Dam, Lady Bird Lake and the Colorado River downstream of Longhorn Dam.
Officials are also urging people to stay off riverfront trails, which may be difficult to navigate because of elevated water levels and could quickly become dangerous if additional flooding occurs.
The restrictions come as the Lower Colorado River Authority and Austin Water continue floodgate operations following recent heavy rainfall across the region. Even though skies have cleared in many areas, officials say water conditions can remain dangerous long after storms move through.
Under Austin City Code, the fire chief is authorized to issue temporary waterway closures when flooding is occurring or expected. The city said the ban will stay in effect through Tuesday afternoon unless conditions improve sooner.