BELTON, Texas — After 25 years in operation, Stillhouse Hollow Marina is closing its doors Thursday, Aug. 22, following damage from a fire and extreme weather.
Clay Church, a public affairs official for the Fort Worth office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said the marina is no longer structurally sound and for safety reasons, all boats were ordered to be removed.
On Aug. 7, a boat exploded nearby the marina. It then drifted into the marina and caught fire to the main structure. At that point, the marina was already damaged by severe storms in May. Severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall caused the Lampasas River, which feeds into the lake, to flood. This also flooded the lake, leaving many campsites, docks and attractions underwater. Since then, the water level has come back down.
According to their website, Stillhouse Hollow Marina is the only marina on Stillhouse Hollow Lake, covering 58 miles of the shoreline. The marina includes a gas dock, swim beach, indoor and outdoor fishing areas, bait and tackle store, and a restaurant.
The marina says Stillhouse Hollow Lake is known for being deep and clear, making it popular for boat owners who like to scuba dive, snorkel, and fish.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the lake, Stillhouse Hollow Dam, two campgrounds, and the learning center. All of the land surrounding the lake is government-owned, according to the marina's website. There is no private property around the lake, but there are some residences in the area.