BELL COUNTY, Texas — Several parks and boat ramps around Stillhouse Hollow Lake have been submerged by water, debris fields or both since flooding events this recent May. It's part of the reason why many of them remain closed. However, it's not the sole reason.
John Thibodeaux, the lake manager of Stillhouse Hollow, said the lake was roughly 16 feet above the conservation pool. He also said it's taken a while for the lake level to drop as release times are a little bit slower, which means the parks and ramps haven't been able to dry out.
So although the lake has lowered, crews haven't been able to clean up the debris.
"We have to wait for the roads and the parks that were underwater to become dry again," Thibodeaux explained. "We have to give them a drying period before we can even get out there to start on that work. I know it seems counterintuitive when you have a lake that's full and you're not able to use it, but it is just unfortunately a time game."
The first priority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who operate the lake, is flood control, then recreation. Thibodeaux said he wants to open up access points around the lake, but he also has to worry about the infrastructure's longevity. That's why there is a protocol to give infrastructure some time to dry out.
Thibodeaux took 6 News to Cedar Gap Park, a place he said had most of the debris and is further behind in the process of opening to the public.
"We still have water over the asphalt," Thibodeaux said. "As soon as it gets down to our concrete ramp, that's when we'll start a two-week timer. That gives this asphalt two weeks to dry out, so that when we start putting trucks and putting equipment on it, it will not chew up the asphalt. If we end up beating up the asphalt, we have to close the ramp for six months to a year."
Based on the timing, Thibodeaux won't be able to open up any parks or boat ramps by the July 4 holiday, however, he's hopeful there will be some openings in the next couple of weeks.
"I promise we're working diligently and we're monitoring every boat ramp and every park to get them open as soon as possible," Thibodeaux added. "As they do start coming open, they will be busy. We ask that you please be patient at the boat ramps. Be patient getting into the parks. We're going to have a few parks with a lot of people who want to use them, so just take your time, be patient and expect the crowds."
To see the status of parks around Stillhouse Hollow Lake, click here.
Thibodeaux said Central Texas lakes will be different from the last time you were on them as levels will be higher and there is always the potential for debris. He said take your time on the water and always wear your life jacket.
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