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Austin Bans Watercraft as Hill Country Floodwaters Raise River Hazards

The temporary ban is meant to prevent injuries and deaths because fast flows and floating debris have made Austin waterways unsafe.

Overview

  • The City of Austin has ordered a short-term ban on personal and commercial watercraft on Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake and the Colorado River downstream of Longhorn Dam to keep people off dangerous water.
  • The Lower Colorado River Authority says river flows are faster and carry more debris than usual, creating navigation hazards that make recreational and commercial use unsafe.
  • State teams have reported about 270 rescues and local teams more than 300 rescues in response to the flooding, and officials have confirmed two flood-related deaths in Kerr and Uvalde counties.
  • Officials are closing riverfront trails and placing road barricades, and governors from nine states have offered assistance to support ongoing rescue and response efforts.
  • Runoff from heavy Hill Country rains moves quickly down the Colorado River system, which prolongs high flows and debris downstream and keeps authorities monitoring conditions until waters fall.