Brownwood News – At the monthly meeting of the Brown County Water Improvement District #1 Board of Directors, held on April 13, the Directors voted to rescind its rule concerning hazardous wakes in Lake Brownwood.

Wake boarding has become a very popular form of recreation, and as such boat manufacturers now produce “wake boats” that are designed to generate large wakes, as much as 4-feet high.  While that is fun for the wake boarders, the large wakes can be a nuisance to others at the lake, and can potentially cause safety issues and property damage.  In 2016 the Water Board adopted a rule that prohibited wakes greater than 18-inches, and created a “no hazard wake zone” around McCartney Island.

Late last summer, however, the Water District was contacted by Commander Cody Jones of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.   He informed the District that they do not have the authority to regulate boats, only the Parks and Wildlife Department can do that.  The Texas Water Safety Act defines what boats can — and can not — do on bodies of water in Texas.

With that information, the Water Board voted to rescind its hazardous wake rule, and wants all lakers to understand that the Lake Patrol will now enforce the rules of the Texas Water Safety Act.

There is now no prohibition of large wakes, and no “no-hazard wake zone” around McCartney Island.  Boaters should understand, however, that wakes do not dissipate until they arrive at shore, or hit some other object, such as a dock or another boat.  Boaters are responsible for any damages caused by their boat’s wake.

The Water Safety Act specifies that within 50-feet of the shoreline, structures, other watercraft, or swimmers, all boats are required to operate at idle speed only.  If boats are observed violating this rule, the Water District advises to get a description of the boat and its registration number (TX number), or even a partial TX number, and report that to the Lake Patrol.

John Allen, General Manager of the Water District, said that any changes to the wake rules in the Water Safety Act will have to be made by the Texas Legislature.  If you would like the rules to be changed, he encourages citizens to contact either State Representative Dr. Glenn Rogers, or State Senator Dawn Buckingham.

Mark Davis, Chief of the Brownwood Lake Patrol, reminds all boaters that the operator of any boat must have with him or her a photo ID and the registration papers for the boat.  Also, any boat operators born in 1993 or later must have successfully completed the Boater Safety Course, and have paperwork supporting that.

The Boater Safety Course can be found on the Texas Parks and Wildlife web site, and on several other sites online.  Davis encouraged all boaters, even those born before 1993, to take the Boater Safety Course.  It offers information beneficial to all boaters, and often qualifies the boater for a discount on insurance.

“We want Lake Brownwood to be the safest lake in Texas,” said Lake Patrol Chief Davis.  For more information on the new wake rules on Lake Brownwood, contact the Water District office at 501 East Baker Street, or call 325-643-2609.