Posted: Wed, 1 Jul 2015 08:55 PM - 32,838 Readers

By: Bettie Cross

The numbers are impressive. On Wednesday, Lake Travis is 84 percent full and rising. The lake hasn't been this high or looked this good in years. And what's good for Lake Travis is even better for businesses around it.

200 feet up and attached to a half inch steel cable, it's time to take the leap of faith. That's what the zip is called, but it's also become the mindset of Lake Travis businesses.

"Most of this cove was dirt just a month ago," said Jay Birchard, the adventure manager at Lake Travis Zip Line Adventures. "It looked a little bit apocalyptic. It was like the Mad Max zip line."

On July 1 the lake is up 40 feet and rising. "Just nine more feet and we're completely full to the tree line," said Birchard. The adventure manager also measures the lake level one step at a time. "It used to be 96 steps and then the stairs still didn't go all the way to the water," said Birchard. "We're happy to have cut that in about half. This is definitely as high as it's been since we opened." That was five years ago, back when the lake couldn't live up to its name.

"We called it Creek Travis," said Birchard. The water in this arm of the lake was eight inches deep and boats were replaced with vans. "We were literally driving vans across the creek all the way up to the gear up deck," said Birchard. Now thrill seekers get an adrenaline rush with a panoramic view. At the double-barrel shotgun you're 22 stories up.

The view explains why tours, even on the weekdays, are now almost fully booked. "It's doubled our weekday business," said Birchard. "The weekdays are starting to feel a lot like a weekend." There are now lines for the lines. "There are people everywhere," said Chris Becht, who is getting ready to start the zip line course.

"The lake levels probably make it a better view and a better ride." "Three of the lines that used to go over rocks and dirt go over the water now so it's much more majestic," said Birchard. An ideal vantage point where as far as you can see Lake Travis businesses are seeing profits rise with the water.

"Predicting a record year, hopefully for the lake and our business and all the other businesses that depend on the lake," said Birchard.

*  Story Contributed by: Bettie Cross