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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) – As one of the larger North Texas lakes open for public access this holiday weekend, boaters are expecting a busy turnout on Lake Ray Hubbard.
Thursday morning, several people were already backing their vessels down the ramps.
“This is our first time out this season. It’s really wonderful,” said Ryan Berube, who hit the water with his wife and sons.
Kevin Court spent the morning testing out his 45-foot, off-shore racing boat. These days he uses it more for family fun than speed.
With a drought keeping the lake level low in 2013 and 2014, and the 2015 Memorial Day weekend washed out, the Independence Day weekend will be his first time on the water in two years.
“Everyone is beating on me this year and last year, ‘When are we going, when are we going?’ I’m just glad we get to go and no one will be on me anymore,” Court said.
While all lakes are full, flooding is still keeping some access points – including public parks, camp grounds and ramps controlled by municipal water districts, Texas Parks and Wildlife, or the Army Corps of Engineers – closed.
Lakes with public access closed:
Grapevine Lake
Joe Pool Lake
Lavon Lake
Lewisville Lake
Lake Whitney
Lake Ray Roberts
Benbrook Lake
Lakes with public access open:
Lake Ray Hubbard
Eagle Mountain Lake
Lake Bridgeport
Lake Arlington
Possum Kingdom Lake
Lake Granbury
Cedar Creek Lake
Lake Weatherford
Lake Worth
Lake Palo Pinto
Most marinas, restaurants and businesses remain open along lakes dealing with public ramp closures. On Lake Lewisville, for example, boats already docked in the water are allowed to go out.
You can find an updated list on openings here.
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