CONROE, Texas – Lake Conroe will reopen to boaters Sunday morning after an unusually quiet start to spring break. The San Jacinto River Authority said the lake will open at 8 a.m.
Following this week’s storms, on Friday the San Jacinto River Authority temporarily closed Lake Conroe to motorized boat traffic due to the presence of submerged objects, floating debris, and other hazards that could put the safety of boaters at risk. The lake remains open for swimmers, kayaks, canoes, and other non-motorized vessels.
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Although the closure has been lifted, boaters are advised to use extra caution because the waters are still above its normal pool level and some objects are still submerged that would normally visible, officials said. In addition, there is still a considerable amount of floating debris from the storm.
Despite a beautiful Saturday, the lake remained uncharacteristically quiet.
“This place is usually abuzz with people and boats and jet skis,” said Lynn Winkler, who operates the WaterPoint Shopping Center with her husband.
Saturday night a party of 80 people is planned on one of her boats; however, the boat will not head out on the lake.
“We always give the option if they would like to reschedule and they said they wanted to have their party, so we will do it in the dock,” Winkler said.
Over at Sam’s Boat on Lake Conroe, customers came in for lunch, but there were more empty chairs than usual.
“Hopefully this doesn’t hurt us too much with sales,” said Paige Leach, an assistant manager at the restaurant.
She says in the seven years she has worked at the restaurant she has never seen the river authority close the lake to boats due to high water.
Lake Conroe Park is also closed due to the weather.
“My kids would have really appreciated a picnic or something, even if we're not getting wet,” said Lorraine Corona, who showed up with her family at the park, not realizing it was still closed.