Businesses On Area Lakes Making Flooding Adjustments
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DENTON COUNTY (CBSDFW.COM) - Dealing with days of rain and flooding means making adjustments for people who do business along North Texas lakes.
The flooding means those living and doing business along Lewisville Lake are taking a different approach as they get ready for the 4th of July holiday.
There is a distinct debris line showing how high the water once was. While waters have started to recede there is still along way to go before any of the parks and public ramps maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can reopen.
Unfortunately, that means a big hit for business owners, in what is normally a very busy time of year.
Joe and Toni Watson, with JT's Boat Rentals, were preparing one of their boats for a chartered cruise Monday evening. They've been open the entire time Lake Lewisville is open, and have had to make very little changes to cope with flooding.
But what should seem like business is usual is not. The Watson's say because some ramps and parks are closed, many people think the entire lake is shut down.
"Really, the high water level has no effect on us, it's just people's perception that it's changed our business," Toni said.
The flooding and high water fears have led to some cancellations and left JT's with some openings for the 4th of July weekend.
Captains with the company are licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard – and with their 40 and 50 motor catamarans already in the water at Eagle Point Marina – it's not a problem for them to take people out on a cruise.
Toni said, "We know picnic tables are underwater, but we don't do those anyway. We stay in the middle of the lake. We take people to a safe swim area. We show them the sights."
Even when the flooding ends, there will be work that needs to be done. Officials with the Corps of Engineers say many places, along area lakes, will need repairs once the water levels fall.
A spokesperson for the Corps said Monday that it would be very difficult for the public ramps and parks to reopen in time for Independence Day.
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