City enforcing watercraft ban on Lake Austin for July 4

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department’s Lake Patrol Unit will enforce a personal watercraft ban on Lake Austin for the 4th of July, according to the city of Austin.

This is something the city does every year ahead of the holiday. The ban includes jet skis, wet bikes, motorized surfboards and similar devices, a news release from the city said.

Anyone operating a motorboat on the lake “shall to stay on the right side of the lake, except when assisting a downed water skier,” the city said.

The ban will go into effect at Sunset on Thursday and will end Saturday at sunrise, according to the city.

According to APD, non-motorized devices, like kayaks and canoes, are okay to use. Police will patrol Lake Austin this weekend to make sure people are following the ban and staying safe.