Fire chief issues waterway ban

Heavy spring rains over the weekend led to the decision by the Austin Fire Department to close local waterways: Lake Austin from Mansfield Dam to Tom Miller Dam, Lady Bird Lake and the Colorado River downstream of Longhorn Dam have been declared unsafe and part of the “flood ban area.” According to the waterway ban notice, the chief has declared flood conditions in all Austin city creeks as well. All boating and recreational use in these waterways is banned until noon on Monday, May 6, when the fire department will re-evaluate the conditions.