News Release: Texas Game Wardens Stress Continued Water Safety Vigilance




News Release: Texas Game Wardens Stress Continued Water Safety Vigilance

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is urging the public to be extra vigilant when it comes to water safety in the wake of five tragic drownings over the July 4th holiday. Thus far in 2018, there have been 37 open water drownings, compared to 30 over the same time period a year ago.

During the midweek Fourth of July holiday, drowning victims were recovered from Lake Grapevine, Lake LBJ, Lake Lewisville, Lake Granbury and Lake Leon.

We’re seeing a spike this year in the number of open water drownings,’ said Texas Game Warden Assistant Commander Cody Jones, TPWD’s boating law administrator. “We cannot stress enough for folks to recognize potential risks and hazards, and know their limitations while out on the water. Fatigue, alcohol impairment, and unforeseen dangers such as cross currents, underwater obstructions and under tow, can lead to tragedy.

Jones reports that game wardens conducted boating safety checks on over 3,100 vessels on the Fourth, resulting in 320 citations and 334 warnings issued. Among those, 11 arrests were made for boating while intoxicated. Game wardens also investigated nine boating related accidents, none of which resulted in fatalities.

Anecdotally, we appear to be seeing more designated drivers out on the water, so boaters are being responsible,” Jones noted.

Prior to the July Fourth holiday, TPWD’s Law Enforcement Division participated in Operation Dry Water over the weekend of June 29-July 1 as part of a nationally coordinated boating under the influence (BUI) awareness and enforcement campaign.

Over the three-day Operation Dry Water weekend, game wardens made contact with 7,081 vessels, issued 762 warnings and 680 citations, while making 19 BUI arrests.

TPWD participates in coordinated efforts like Operation Dry Water, along with hundreds of other agencies nationwide, in an effort to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities we see due to boaters consuming alcohol on the water,” said Jones. “Our goal is to educate boaters as well as remove impaired operators from the water in order to keep all other boaters safe.”

Published with permission via Texas Parks & Wildlife




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Lake Texoma Weather Forecast

Thursday

Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 84

Thursday Night

Chance Thunderstorms

Lo: 75

Independence Day

Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 87

Friday Night

Mostly Cloudy

Lo: 77

Saturday

Partly Sunny

Hi: 89

Saturday Night

Mostly Cloudy

Lo: 77

Sunday

Slight Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 91

Sunday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 77


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Water Level on 7/3: 619.27 (+2.27)



Lake Texoma

Fishing Report from TPWD (Jul. 2)

FAIR. Water stained; 84 degrees; 2.44 feet above pool. Striper fishing is good on ledges and humps. Fish are moving quickly on contour in 15-20 feet of water, or suspended 30 feet down on deep humps in 50-70 feet of water on live shad. Topwater baits will be hit-and-miss in the mornings and late evenings before dark. Channel and blue catfish are great on points and ledges in 25-30 feet of water using punch bait. Bigger blues are roaming deeper water flats in 50-70 feet of water, cut shad and whole gizzard shad are working. Bass fishing is good near docks and rocks on crankbaits and quick moving baits. Look for pockets of clearer water and fish to be suspended. Report by Jacob Orr, Lake Texoma, Guaranteed Guide Service. Striped bass are tough with an inconsistent bite. The flood gates have been closed and the bite should improve as the water settles. Best bite has been with live bait or trolling 20-30 feet of water. Some reports of catches anchored in deep water. Still waiting for the small threadfin shad to run midlake. Report by John Blasingame, Adventure Texoma Outdoors. Anticipate increased boater traffic this weekend as we celebrate our Nation’s Independence Day.

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