Lake levels are getting back to normal across North Texas, but many some lakes are still closed to boat traffic. Eagle Mountain Lake is closed at least until Tuesday morning.
Lake levels are getting back to normal across North Texas, but many some lakes are still closed to boat traffic.
Eagle Mountain Lake is one of those lakes that remains closed, at least until Tuesday morning.
The Tarrant Regional Water District said the lake will re-open at 6 a.m.
That means boats at marinas and docks across the lake can get moving again, much to the delight of boaters and businesses, like Sheila Pierce's Augie's Sunset Cafe.
"I can't wait for the lake to be open, we've had so many calls, 'Is the lake open? Is the lake open?'" Pierce said. "People are so excited to be able to get their boats out here."
Since May 29, the day the rain finally started taking its toll on Tarrant County lakes, the answer has been clear that the lake is closed. All private and public boat ramps are shuttered, including the one near Augie's.
While many large marinas were void of activity on Monday and have been for the last week, Augie's hasn't seen a big impact on its bottom line.
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"Our business, for some reason, has almost tripled, I guess people are so excited to see water, a lake," Pierce said.
The full lakes have indeed been teasing and taunting users for the last week, but TRWD officials had to wait until the lake level dropped and stop threatening low-lying homes.
"The lake has finally dropped to the point where it's unlikely that boat traffic is going to impact homes or other structures around the lake," said Chad Lorance, a TRWD spokesperson.
Homes and most boat docks may be in the clear, but Lorance cautions boaters there can still be hidden dangers in the water.
"We want to continue to urge boaters to be aware of floating debris and some structures that may be submerged that they can't see right now," Lorance said.
The lake is still pretty murky from the run off, but to the folks at Augie's and elsewhere on the lake, the lake re-opening clears the way for a busy summer of business.
"It draws people out here, they want to see it," Pierce said. "It's exciting for them. It is for us."
Lake Bridgeport opened at noon on Sunday. However, Lake Worth continues to remain closed to boat traffic and other activities.
The water district said it appreciates the public's patience as they had wait the flood waters out.
