Report: Austin needs to take action to mitigate impacts of watercraft overcrowding on Lady Bird Lake

Austin must take action to better manage watercraft on Lady Bird Lake, according to results from a comprehensive lake capacity study unveiled at the Environmental Commission on March 1.

The Parks and Recreation Board commissioned the study in December 2021 to assess the impacts of high levels of traffic from watercraft on the lake, including erosion, environmental impacts and water quality.

To conduct the research, the city partnered with the Department of Natural Sciences at Huston-Tillotson University. The study concluded that Austin’s recreational use of Lady Bird Lake is exceeding target capacity on peak weekend days, impacting lake visitors, who were surveyed as part of the study, as well as the environment.

On weekends, the lake is about twice as congested as it should be, according to the study. The most popular areas, such as the segment between MoPac Expressway and Lamar Boulevard, can become as much as 13 times as congested on peak weekend days as they should be. Even on weekdays, the high-traffic segments are exceeding capacity.

More than 60 percent of respondents reported a loss of enjoyment due to lake, shore or trail crowding at least some of the time. A majority found the water quality in the area to be very or somewhat low quality, and more than 60 percent said that lack of water quality reduced their enjoyment of the area.

“I am not an expert but the water seems very nasty,” said one respondent. “I remember about 10 years ago, the water looked better, but it seems to be getting worse. I am very concerned about what the lake water will look like in another 10 years.”

The study couldn’t fully address the ecological impacts of the high usage, but the report said that the water quality testing it did conduct, along with user feedback, “indicate reasons for concern.”

That concern includes elevated levels of E. coli bacteria around the highest lake congestion, both during and after peak use periods. The research team also found elevated algal growth. In addition, the study found concerning signs during habitat assessments near high-traffic areas.

“However, given the combination of factors that influence lake water chemistry, including recent rainfall and urban runoff, a more comprehensive assessment, both geographically and in terms of metrics, is needed to fully understand the impact of human activity on the lake,” the report reads.

It recommends that the city focus on reducing congestion, particularly the segment of the lake between MoPac and South First Street. “Introducing amenities and formal access points east/south of Congress and west/north of MoPac may help to alleviate this congestion, which is likely to intensify with the development of the former Austin American-Statesman site,” the report notes.

According to the report, the city should increase connectivity of the Butler Trail system to other trails and parks in an effort to relieve congestion. If paired with programming in other city parks and facilities, the increased connectivity could help reduce congestion.

The report also recommends enhanced public education concerning water safety and boating etiquette in partnership with local vendors and outdoors organizations. “Consider more visible signage to enhance water safety, particularly in areas of high boat density,” the report reads. That education can also help reduce littering and the impacts of trash in the lake. “Providing watercraft vendors and members of the public with reusable string bags to use in place of plastic bags can be linked to an educational campaign about lake impacts.”

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Posted In: Environment, District 9