Austin police crackdown on Lake Austin noise

Posted: Sat, 29 May 2010 09:37 PM - 11,400 Readers

Austin police are now cracking down on noisy boaters. Along Lake Austin, they have begun giving warnings and writing tickets. A new noise ordinance went into effect earlier this year.

“If I can hear your music or any amplified sound within a hundred feet of your boat, you are in violation,” said Officer John Scott with the Austin Police Department. “The first time we are going to give you a warning. The second time you are going to be cited.”

Some boaters wondered how well the law can be applied in instances where boats are bunched together.

“They’ll try to pinpoint the boat the sound is coming from,” one boater told KVUE. “But if there are forty boats out there, which one will they ticket?”

Police say in recent years the loudest part of Lake Austin has been a cove known as Bee Creek, which Officer Scott describes as a boat parking lot. He says between 200 and 300 boats can be there on a busy summer day.

“Everyone plays their stereo so it kind of gets carried away,” he says. “We have people with noise complaints in Westlake, which is two miles from the lake.”

Along Bee Creek, some homeowners have put up signs threatening to call police on loud boats. One man says his windows rattle.

“It gets really loud down here and it all echoes,” said resident Antony VanWisse. “It’s a nuisance.”

Police say the problem might have been worse last year when more boaters came over from a dry Lake Travis.

Seven APD officers with 3 boats are responsible for safety along the 20-miles of Lake Austin.

* Story Contributed by: Andrew Horansky

[edit]

Lake Travis News

Alerts

LCRA to reopen Lake Travis for public use Wednesday Nov 6, 2018	62,786 Readers
LCRA: Lakes could open by Nov. 2 depending on conditions Oct 30, 2018	56,009 Readers
Mansfield Dam floodgates to close starting Thursday Oct 30, 2018	58,440 Readers
LCRA will not open more gates at Mansfield Dam at this time Oct 18, 2018	56,604 Readers
Lago Vista residents prepare to evacuate due to flooding of Lake Travis Oct 18, 2018	60,540 Readers
An incredible view of an open Mansfield Dam : Youtube video Oct 18, 2018	56,613 Readers
Lake Travis expected to hit highest level since 1991 by Friday Oct 17, 2018	55,037 Readers
Hike and bike trail on Lady Bird Lake closed due to rising water Oct 17, 2018	54,023 Readers
Lake Travis expected to open 4 more floodgates. Take Precaution Oct 17, 2018	56,915 Readers
Record number of Mansfield dam floodgates could open Oct 17, 2018	50,206 Readers

Entertainment

Alamo’s Jaws on the Water is back to scare you while you float on Lake Travis May 15, 2018	53,625 Readers
This student’s wakeboarding graduation photoshoot is so epic she deserves another degree May 8, 2018	51,898 Readers
Here’s why you can’t swim in Lady Bird Lake. Wait — you can’t swim in Lady Bird Lake? Aug 8, 2017	56,709 Readers
5 Ways to Try Paddleboarding in Austin Aug 4, 2017	54,616 Readers
Why Is Hippie Hollow Clothing-Optional? Jul 31, 2017	58,554 Readers
JAWS on the Water - Friday, June 30th Jun 27, 2017	53,759 Readers
Memorial Day Weekend watercraft ban on Lake Austin May 25, 2017	55,365 Readers
Travis County officials prep for Memorial Day weekend on Lake Travis May 23, 2017	52,882 Readers
West Austin 4-H Offers Opportunities Beyond Just Raising Animals Aug 9, 2016	63,502 Readers
Large Crowds Expected at Lake Travis For Holiday Weekend Jul 1, 2016	65,364 Readers

Weather

Lake levels falling fast as Texas drought continues Jul 27, 2022	46,975 Readers
Repairing Lake Travis homes damaged by flooding Nov 2, 2018	58,746 Readers
Lake Travis now more than 120 percent full Oct 17, 2018	49,644 Readers
Graveyard Point residents brace for flooding Oct 17, 2018	51,461 Readers
Floodgate Operations Underway at Local Lakes During Flooding Oct 16, 2018	51,293 Readers
As Flood Risk Increases, Austin Will Revisit Its Floodplain Building Rules Oct 15, 2018	51,267 Readers
Up to 35 days of 100-degree heat this summer in Austin area, LCRA says May 9, 2018	54,314 Readers
Lake Buchanan rises nearly 8 inches due to rain Aug 8, 2017	56,853 Readers
One floodgate open at Starcke Dam Aug 7, 2017	54,622 Readers
Driving on RM 620, I see islands sticking out of the lake. Is the drought returning? Jul 14, 2017	55,170 Readers

Sports

Spectacular catch highlights our High School Plays of the week Oct 16, 2018	49,480 Readers
Classic Berth, Big Payday On The Line At Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest May 15, 2018	52,641 Readers
Several newcomers already set to play for Texas in 2017 Aug 7, 2017	53,984 Readers
PGA to Austin: We had lots of fun, so let’s do it again in 2017 Apr 1, 2016	64,690 Readers
Jordan Spieth Off To Good Start In Austin Return Mar 24, 2016	64,448 Readers
Katy vs Lake Travis game makes the list! Jan 13, 2016	62,653 Readers
Game of the week: Lake Travis (7-0) at Westlake (7-0) Oct 19, 2015	64,323 Readers
Lake Travis repeats as regional golf champions Apr 17, 2015	66,310 Readers
Lake Travis’ Bacon ties national HR record Mar 14, 2015	68,185 Readers
Westlake, Lake Travis sweep District 14-6A awards Mar 11, 2015	68,035 Readers

Business

Shack 512 Relaxed, lakeside dining accessible by car or by boat May 16, 2018	52,726 Readers
Residents addressing wildfire risks in Lake Travis, Westlake May 16, 2018	51,771 Readers
Ex-Point Venture water employee accused of misappropriating $65K May 16, 2018	52,284 Readers
West Lake Hills’ new drainage manual created in an effort to reduce flooding May 15, 2018	53,868 Readers
Round Rock City Council approves cost share for zebra mussel control in Lake Travis May 11, 2018	54,285 Readers
Nautical Boat Clubs Launches Lake Austin Location in Westlake May 5, 2018	54,224 Readers
City looking for help to curb storm drain pollution Aug 5, 2017	53,885 Readers
Apache Shores features waterfront views, trails, park Jul 14, 2017	53,858 Readers
10-year Mansfield Dam rehabilitation project will keep Austin safe Apr 27, 2017	53,873 Readers
Overflowing Lake Travis isn't all bad news for businesses Jun 8, 2016	63,319 Readers

Real Estate

Appraisal protest trend continues as assessments rise May 16, 2018	52,197 Readers
Go Inside This Lake Austin Remodel May 10, 2018	50,096 Readers
Modern guesthouse tower adds space, views to lakeside cabin Sep 28, 2017	56,374 Readers
A Striking Sanctuary in Texas Inspired by a Sand Dollar Aug 8, 2017	55,343 Readers
Contemporary Architectural Masterpiece on Lake Austin Jul 30, 2017	53,336 Readers
Lake Austin mansion with a Romeo and Juliet balcony, including dramatic backstory Jul 28, 2017	53,835 Readers
Midcentury-modern home overlooks Lake Austin, Pennybacker Bridge May 27, 2016	64,828 Readers
Lake Travis Waterfront Retreat Offered by Heritage Luxury Real Estate Auctions May 18, 2016	63,599 Readers
In Lago Vista, big dreams for $68 million ranch property May 14, 2016	63,875 Readers
This Texas Barn Mansion on Lake Travis is Out of This World May 6, 2016	67,499 Readers

News Archives 2010 - Select a Month