Rising Lake Belton water levels reopen facilities, expected to impact summer season

LAKE BELTON, Texas (KWTX) - Things are looking up at Lake Belton as the water levels are starting to rise before the busy summer season. Last week, the lake went up about two and a half feet in just two days.

Because of the recent rainfall several boat ramps that were previously closed reopened.

”Currently this week we are opening Live Oak Boat Ramp and Belton Lakeview Boat Ramp will be open by Friday,” park ranger Cassy Hill said.

Last summer, amid the historic drought, Lake Belton was 19 feet below normal water levels. Now it is only about 9 and a half feet under.

”The lake’s normal capacity sits at an elevation of 594 feet and we are currently at 584.62,” Hill said.

Wes Munns owns A Lakeside Boat Storage, located near the lake. He said last summer he saw more boats staying parked during the drought.

”I’m full at my storage unit, but people took their boats out a lot less than prior years,” Munns said.

Munns added that he fully anticipates that to change this summer with the rising water levels.

”I would expect people to use the lake a lot more this year with the water going up and the water a whole lot dangerous,” Munns said.

If you do plan on hitting the water this summer, remember to always exercise caution.

”There is a chance that there’s even more underwater obstacles than there were before because everyone got used to seeing us so low,” Hill said. “Now those obstacles that were above the water, they now just have about a foot of water over them.”

McGregor Park at Lake Belton is closed for the time being due to road damage from last week’s floods.

Additionally, the swim beaches at Lake Belton do remain closed and will need the water levels to rise about a couple more feet before they can reopen.