LAKE TRAVIS, Texas — Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to summer boating season. Last year in Texas, 50 people were killed and 77 suffered serious injuries in boating incidents. Most of those who died were not wearing a life jacket.

This year, rising lake levels are expected to have even bigger crowds on the water over the long holiday weekend. The lake is 75% full and the “sometimes islands” that pop up during droughts are almost completely covered with water.

Texas Game Wardens increasing staffing for what will be one of their busiest weekends of the year.

“Everybody will be out here. We will have several boats on each body of water in this area,” said Travis County Game Warden Jacob Henderson.

Safety is the top concern and that goes beyond having a life jacket for each person on board.

The LCRA says there are currently no plans to open floodgates and release floodwater on the Highland Lakes. But with more rainfall expected over the Memorial Day weekend conditions on the lakes could change quickly.

“Watch the weather and have a contingency plan for when that weather does come through,” said Henderson. “With that influx of water, you’ve got everything floating in the water from chemicals to logs and things.”

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Martin Mandengu at Splash Weird rents jet skis on Lake Travis.

“It has been back-to-back requests. So, this year hopefully it will be better than last year because people are seeing more water and it has been raining forever in Austin,” said Mandengu.

Mandengu says a wet weekend forecast might scare off a few customers, but he is still expecting to put a lot of jet skis and boats on the water over the three-day holiday weekend.

“If the weather stays as it is right now, I would say at least 20-35% more customers compared to last year,” said Mandengu.

Carson Conklin has been putting a lot of fishing poles in the water this spring. The fishing guide with ATX Fishing said with Lake Travis levels rising it will take more than spotty showers to keep the fishing crowd on dry land.

“I think the word is out that these lakes are fishing pretty good now that we have had some water,” said Conklin.

The water level at Lake Travis is currently 665 feet. That is 16 feet below a full pool.

“Memorial Day weekend is when many families get back on the water for the first time this year,” said Col. Ron VanderRoest, director of Law Enforcement for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “Before you leave the dock, take a few minutes to make sure your life jackets are on board, your boat is properly equipped and you have designated a sober operator.”

Texas Game Wardens encourage boaters to keep the following in mind before launching:

Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Children younger than 13 are required to wear one while underway.Never operate a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs.The operator must wear the lanyard or have the engine cut-off switch fob on their person when operating a boat equipped with one.Operate at a safe speed and maintain a proper lookout.Take a boater education course. It is required for anyone born on or after Sept. 1, 1993.Check the weather before heading out and be prepared for changing conditions.Leave a float plan with someone you trust.Don’t overload your boat.

“Boating should be fun,” said VanderRoest. “A little planning and some common sense help keep it that way.”