GRAPEVINE, Texas — The high lake level at Grapevine Lake has left part of Oak Grove Park underwater.
Park visitors can only see the canopy tops of the picnic tables in some cases because the tabletops and seats are submerged in water. Several baseball diamonds at the park are all underwater too.
Still, Dennis Merrill rushed to Grapevine Lake to check on his boat. He spent all Monday morning at the hospital for the arrival of his first granddaughter named Gracie. Eventually, she will be part of the family gatherings on his boat. But right now, he fears a venture onto the lake could leave his family with some expensive boat repairs.
"I have a 2019, Trifecta. It's a Trifecta pontoon," Merrill said.
Right now, Grapevine Lake looks nothing like he's ever seen. When he arrived at the lake he noticed several trees underwater right away. There is playground equipment underwater, and the swings at the park are surrounded by high water. Although some boaters and jet skiers are on the lake, it's risky to navigate the high water, Merrill said.
"Some of the lake has cliffs or rocky areas and, you just have to be careful underwater obstacles, pretty much," said Merrill.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers could release the lake waters. But spokesperson Clay Church says that could cause even more problems.
"Once the downstream conditions allow, we'll go ahead and release that water downstream," said Church. "That way, we don't make flooding more difficult for people downstream for people using the lakes."
Church said he also wants lake visitors and parkgoers to realize the risk of high lake levels. He warns people not to let their guard down, especially if they are familiar with the lay of the land.
"So if you do get out on the water, launch a boat out having, some recreation time. That's great," said Church. "Just do it very safely. Ensure that you know exactly where you are on the water and what's right under the surface of the water, so you don't run up on something or get stranded in an area that you're not used to."
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers keeps Lake Lewisville at peak levels for the same reason. But there are partially flooded access roads all around the lake. Parking lots have barricades at some entrances to keep vehicles from veering into the water. Dozens of gazebos at the park are underwater, as are several volleyball courts around Lake Lewisville.
Dennis and his family had a blast aboard his boat this past Memorial Day. He's anxious to boat again soon. But when he sees lake levels this high throughout North Texas, he knows the possibility of boat damage increases tremendously. Now, he's set a limit on how much he would like to see Grapevine Lake drop before you'll see them boating again.
"Unless it drops another 10 feet," Dennis Merrill said.
You can learn more about lake levels across Texas here.