KCEN (WACO) - Summer fun on Lake Waco may not be on your mind right now. But all this rain is setting us up for a nice summer. The low lake level, caused by the drought, closed swimming beaches and boat ramps last year. Now park rangers say it's looking great, and Lake Waco's drought levels are erased.
There is the occasional phone call, but the winter season usually means down time for Trina Blackwell. But better slow now at the Slippery Minnow than in the summer, like it was last year.
"Well you know we just lost a lot of water, it was pretty low," said Blackwell.
The restaurant was grounded with the drought, literally. But that's all changed.
"It was overnight, we came to work and it was floatin', and the ramp is straight," said Blackwell.
The recent rain has answered lawn owner's and farmer's prayers, and in only a couple of days put 6 feet back on Lake Waco.
Airport Beach Park was closed last summer. Only three boat ramps open for the whole water body. Now rangers say if nature keeps it up, it's all in the past.
"Glad to see the rain, it's ah, you know it's springtime hopefully we'll get some more rain, and we'll keep the lake full going into the summer," said Park Ranger Elizabeth Anderson.
With all that water, it did bring up all the debris that collected during the drought. People need to watch out for sticks and logs when swimming and boating.
Winter campers already notice the difference. Other lakes around here are still way down. Lake Belton is 10 feet below normal. The rain fell north of it and was caught by other water bodies.
"Well it's very unusual," said camper Larry Bowley.
So for someone who's trying to make time go by, with this weather, the summer can't get here quick enough.
"So, this makes it exciting, ready for summer now," said Blackwell.
Reporter/Photographer: Joshua Skurnik
