GRDA Patrols Amp Up On Grand Lake As Boating Season Kicks Off

Lake season is officially underway and Green Country lakes are packed, which means lake patrols are in full force.

From sunbathing to jet skiing, the summer crowd has sailed in to Grand Lake.

"Just hanging out on a beautiful day, back in a cove where we're trying to be safe," Liz Poole said.

Poole and her family are laying low on the lake this Memorial Day weekend, but the Grand River Dam Authority Lake Patrol is not.

Chris Carlson is just one of about 10 officers watching over the water. The motto is simple: "Boat safe, boat smart and boat sober," Carlson said.

He said the one of the most important things anyone can do on the lake is wear a life jacket, regardless of age.

It's the law for children 12 and under to wear one. To reward kids for following the rules, the GRDA has some incentive T-shirts.

Of course, it's not just families out on the lake.

Teens and college kids come out to have fun as well.

But the season started off with a horrific boating accident less than two weeks ago.

5/22/13 Related Story: GRDA: Driver In Deadly Grand Lake Boat Crash Was Under the Influence

According to the marine investigation report, the 21-year-old driver reportedly admitted he'd been drinking that day.

Police also said the boat was going too fast.

"That was definitely a tragic situation, but we are always cognizant of that, and we realize it could happen any weekend, especially the holiday weekends," Carlson said. "There's more traffic, so there is more potential just because there's more people out and about."

05/15/2013 Related Story: Grand Lake Residents React To Deadly Boat Crash

Carlson said staying sober and being aware of your surroundings could save your life and others around you.

And for the regulars who have had some close calls, they know that's key.

"We've had a couple on the main lake with people coming out of Dripping Springs late in the afternoon, they've had a little too much to drink," Poole said.