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E-mail This StoryLewisville Lake is normally full of boaters, swimmers and picnickers this time of year. July Fourth, the weekend before and the weekend after are usually the busiest days of the year on the lake.
Not this year.
The Lewisville Parks and Leisure Services Department closed the day areas of Lake Park and the public boat ramps at Lake Park and Tower Bay until further notice, due to the high and still-rising water level.
“The closure is expected to last at least two weeks, which will include the Independence Day holiday,” said James Kunke, city public information officer.
All of the boat ramps are under water, as well as some of the parking areas, said Bob Monaghan, director of Lewisville Parks and Leisure Services. The only boats that can be on the water due to the flooding will be those that are already in the water on boat slips at the different marinas, he said.
City officials recommend people stay off the flooded lake for safety reasons.
“It’s really not a safe time to be on the lake, with all the debris floating around that has been washed up due to the flooding,” Monaghan said.
Swimming in the lake at this time is dangerous.
“There are picnic tables and grills under water,” Monaghan said. “We don’t know what kind of debris or what else might be under the water.”
The golf course at Lake Park is still open and people have been playing golf there this week, Monaghan said.
While the gatehouse is closed and no one is allowed into the day area, campers continue to live at the lake and gain access through another entry.
“We have had to move some of the campers to higher ground,” Monaghan said.
On Friday morning, the level of the lake was 530.18 feet above sea level, over eight feet above the 522-foot normal.
“The water is just two feet from going over the spillway,” Monaghan said. “The water is also two feet from going over the spillway at Ray Roberts and about three feet from going over the spillway at Grapevine.”
In January 1992, heavy rains brought the level of Lewisville Lake to 530.14 above sea level. The park was closed at that time, but fortunately not during the summer months or during a holiday period when activity is brisk at the lake.
Monaghan said people need not be concerned at this point that the lake is about to come over the bridge on Interstate 35.
In 1981, Monaghan said, the level of the lake got up to 536.46 feet above sea level and still did not get over the bridge.
The heavy rains during the last few days have also taken a toll on city revenue as well as on the economy of the city.
“Fees collected at the park helps to offset the cost of operating the park,” Monaghan said.
While the heavy rains have taken a toll on the economy, public safety is of the utmost importance, Kunke said.
“With the lake being such a big part of our community during traditionally warm-weather months, the heavy rains can’t help but have a negative economic impact,” Kunke said. “Our biggest concern, though, is with overall public safety.”
“Lewisville’s economy is strong enough to endure a short-term hardship,” he added. “We just want everyone to get through these rains safely.”
Staff writer Dan Eakin may be contacted at 972-628-4075 or at deakin@acnpapers.com.
