WACO, Texas — Heavy rains in the month of May have put a halt to summer activities in Waco.
Flooding on Lake Waco and the Brazos River has caused river walks, lake parks and boat ramps to close until further notice, the City of Waco said.
The Army Corps of Engineers said water at the Brazos and Lake Waco could take a few weeks to recede, but that is only if the area doesn't get hit by heavy rains again.
Manuela Garcia and her daughter work out along the Brazos river pretty often.
"By the water is more soothing and relaxing and stuff like that,but being that it’s flooded it’s hard for us to workout," Garcia said. "Now we have to run these steps."
The city said the river is flowing so rapidly that boat ramps are closed. Officials are advising people to avoid any water activities until further notice.
"The river is close to 20 feet over its normal level, and it's rushing at 27,000 to 30,000 cubic feet per second,” City of Waco Spokesman Larry Holze said. “Normally it only moves at about 500 cubic feet per second."
Businesses like Pura Vida Paddle said their regular operations on the Brazos river are closed. In the meantime, Pura Vida Paddle is hosting various events and classes from Woodway Park 2. City officials said the water will continue to flow rapidly until the Army Corps of Engineers releases enough water from Lake Waco and Lake Whitney to be at a safe level.
"Use extreme caution because if you just look at the water, it's moving at such a fast past that it’s not safe at all," Holze said.
For now, Garcia and her daughter and many other park goers will have to hold off on their summer activities on the Brazos.
"It’s a nice place to work out, but when things are not like this it’s even better," Garcia said.
The city of Waco said the Army Corps of Engineers told them the water should be back to normal by the annual Fourth on the Brazos event.
Other stories on KCENTV.com: