Flooding has forced the closure of many parks and boat ramps at North Texas lakes for the rest of the summer, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said in a statement.
The move came amid concerns over safety hazards such as electrical boxes and outlets that have been submerged for weeks. Toilets, roads, and other facilities have also been severely damaged by high water, officials said.
High lake levels and the waves generated from boat traffic also posed another concern for lake shore properties. As a result, boat ramps and facilities operated by the Corps will be closed at the following lakes:
- Bardwell (completely closed due to flooding)
- Benbrook (Longhorn Ramp closed, all other parks closed)
- Grapevine (Murrell Park closed, all ramps closed)
- Joe Pool (Lynn Creek and Britton Parks closed, dam closed, parts of Loyd Park and Cedar Hill State Park closed)
- Lavon (all boat ramps closed, several parks closed)
- Lewisville (lake open to boat traffic, several parks and boat ramps closed)
- Navarro Mills (several parks closed)
- Ray Roberts (all parks closed)
- Somerville (several parks closed)
- Whitney (all parks closed)
Check here for the full facility closure report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Boat ramps or marinas that are privately or municipally owned may remain open. For example, at Grapevine Lake, Twin Coves Marina, Silver Lake Marina and Scott's Landing Marina are all open with shuttles running from Silver Lake to the other two locations for marina members.
Boaters are encouraged to check with area lakes to see where ramps not managed by the Corps of Engineers may be open to the public.
"We're hoping that as the water recedes and we're able to make repairs, we'll at least be able to salvage the end of the recreation season, so possibly have some of the areas open by Labor Day," said James Murphy, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Belton
Some campgrounds are open, but most facilities will not be available for the summer season.
Georgetown
Campgrounds and some day use areas are open, but not boat docks.
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Granger
Most campgrounds and ramps are open, but docks and trails are still closed.
Hords Creek
No swimming is allowed on beaches. One of two parks is under construction and will not be available.
Joe Pool
Check with local park and marina operators.
Lavon
Limited campground and day use is available until August, but some ramps are open.
O.C. Fisher
No boat ramps are open, but all other facilities are available.
Proctor
Most facilities will not be available, but some will reopen in August. Water in this lake is receding very slowly, officials said.
Sam Rayburn
Campgrounds remain heavily damaged by high water.
Waco
Limited availability until Labor Day
Wright-Patman
Most facilities are open, but beaches and some boat ramps will not be available.
Corps-maintained facilities at Aquilla Lake, Canyon Lake, Cooper/Jim Chapman Lake, Lake O' the Pines, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Town Bluff/B.A. Steinhagen Lake are open.
