Lake Austin business owner welcomes first full weekend after waterway ban

Austin’s waterways are open again. For businesses that rely on summer visitors, it’s a chance to recover revenue lost during one of the busiest times of the year.

AUSTIN, Texas — Paddleboards are back on the water, sightseeing boats are running again and nearby businesses are welcoming customers for the first full weekend since Austin’s waterways reopened.

It comes after the city of Austin lifted its waterways ban on Monday, July 27, as floodgate operations ended at Tom Miller and Longhorn dams.

This story continues below.

More in Business

Paul Mahler, Austin Duck Adventures and Lake Austin Riverboats owner, said many businesses depend on summer tourism.

“This time of year is really the busiest time,” Mahler said. “We focus on mainly tourism, and during the summer months, that’s when tourism is up.”

He said with tours canceled during the waterway ban, it hit his business hard. 

“We probably lost about $50,000 in sales,” Mahler said. “We pretty much had to refund. The problem with that is they would put a ban out for two days, and then two days later they would extend the ban.”

He said he understands safety concerns but hopes next time city officials can give businesses a better idea of how long a ban like this could last. 

“It would help us in the future,” Mahler said. “Knowing approximately how long and when we’re going to reopen.” 

Officials first issued the ban on July 17 after floodgate operations began in response to historic flooding in the Texas Hill Country. 

It was extended several times as hazardous conditions continued.