UPDATE: Falling lake levels are causing some businesses big trouble on Lake Bridgeport, but not all of them.
Following our story Monday that Bridgeport is down 19 feet, we heard from the North Side Marina and Resort.
Jeanne Kennedy reports plenty of water, slips full of boats, and guests at the cabins having a great time boating, fishing, and skiing. She said Runaway Bay, where docks are far out of the water, is often the lowest part of the lake.
Kennedy said there is still lots of fun to be had on the north side of the lake.
EARLIER: LAKE BRIDGEPORT A lone heron stands on a dock at Runaway Bay looking for an easy meal in the shallow water.
A few boats in their slips are cut off from the south side of the body of Lake Bridgeport.
The gas dock is strapped to the sloping bank, causing the pump to lean over like a fishing pole. It's wrapped by "caution" tape.
Lake Bridgeport is 19 feet below its normal level. It has received nearly 7 inches less rain than the official totals at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, 50 miles to the southeast.
Because of that, the Tarrant Regional Water District stopped releasing from Bridgeport in June after taking only a quarter of its authorized allotment.
Lake Bridgeport feeds Eagle Mountain, which, in turn, feeds Lake Worth.
TRWD spokesman Chad Lorance said the district stopped drawing from Bridgeport to give the lake a chance to recharge, and because it is the sole source of drinking water for several towns.
"I've never seen it this bad," said Mark Heng, owner of Runaway Bay Grill and Grocery. It's his docks and gas pump sitting idle.
Business in his store is down, too. He said only a few ramps remain open on Bridgeport.
A marina on the north side of the lake reported 10 feet of water beneath the docks.
The TRWD now pumps 80 percent of its water from East Texas. It can pump directly into Eagle Mountain, Arlington and Benbrook lakes.
But Bridgeport depends on rainfall.
As a result, Lorance says it is losing about half an inch to evaporation every day that's roughly 60 million gallons.
There is no relief in sight.
Lorance noted that authorities closed Lake Brigeport just three years ago... because it was too full.
E-mail jdouglas@wfaa.com
