Posted: Fri, 24 May 2013 07:45 AM - 20,078 Readers

By: My Fox Austin

Before the rain came, this group was ready to load up on a party barge and get their Memorial Day weekend started on Lake Travis.

"It looks like a good crowd, everybody's anxious to get out there, said Captain Hawkeye Roth with 'Just for Fun' boat rentals.

He says that despite the low lake levels, the company is booked solid through the weekend.

"We didn't expect it and even with the water conditions the way it is, everybody fell out and they want to play."

It's good news for nearby restaurant Carlos' N Charlie's.

"They have a ton of traffic there and it just brings a ton of business to this corner of the lake. It may look different, but there's still plenty of water for recreation," general manager Jason Claunch told FOX 7.

There are no public boat ramps open on Lake Travis so while rental boat companies are expecting a busy weekend, those wanting to bring a boat to Lake Travis will have to find some other way to get it in the water.

But officers with the Lake Travis Task Force are still expecting crowds. They'll be patrolling the lake through the weekend.

Senior Deputy Keith Kunz with the Travis County Sheriff's Office says, "We're going to have 10-12 boats out here over the weekend, so we're going to be out here and we're going to make sure people are operating their boat safely."

In addition to reminding boaters of hazards in the water, they'll also be out looking for anyone driving a boat while intoxicated.

"They need to have a designated driver to assume that responsibility of safety for everybody," said Billy Champlin, Lt. Game Warden with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept.

*  Story Contributed by: My Fox Austin