City of Austin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASERelease Date:
The boat ramps at Lake Walter E. Long are closed until further notice.
The boat ramps at Lake Walter E. Long are closed until further notice as water levels levels are too low for boaters to safely enter and exit the lake. Lake access will remain available for shore-launched watercraft such as canoes and kayaks. All other park amenities, including volleyball courts, picnic sites, grills, and walking trails, will remain available.
Austin Energy works with Austin Parks and Recreation to manage water levels in the 1,200-acre lake. The City’s electric utility uses the water in Decker Lake as part of its operations at the nearby Decker Power Plant. In preparation for upcoming equipment upgrades, the lake level will be gradually lowered through natural evaporation and the boat ramps will remain closed for the duration of the project.
The dam and gates that shape Lake Walter E. Long were designed and installed in 1967. Almost 60 years later, it’s time to improve and upgrade that equipment, bringing it up to current regulations and specifications, increasing safety and protecting a local gem for the future.
For the safety of boaters, boat ramps will remain closed until Austin Energy's work is complete and water levels once again allow boaters to safely enter and exit using the ramp. For more information on the repairs to Decker Dam, visit PublicInput.com/DeckerDam.