June 23, 2023

Media Advisory: Operation Dry Water Event Promotes Boating Safety Ahead of July 4

CANYON LAKE — With summer temperatures soaring throughout the state, many Texans are seeking the cooling temperatures and fun of lakes, rivers and bays. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Comal County Sheriff’s Office and Water-Oriented Recreation District of Comal County (WORD) invite media to attend two upcoming events for coverage of boating safety for Canyon Lake and Operation Dry Water.

June 1, 2023

Game Wardens Help Keep Public Safe during Memorial Day Weekend

AUSTIN — This past Memorial Day weekend, Texas Game Wardens patrolled Texas lakes and rivers to ensure visitors were recreating responsibly. They cited a decrease in accidents this year but noted an increase in citations issued, warnings and arrests.

May 24, 2023

TPWD Stresses Importance for Boaters to “Clean, Drain, and Dry”

AUSTIN – Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner and that means Texans will be heading out to the water for holiday celebrations. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) urges boaters and paddlers who enjoy water recreation to do their part to protect the Texas lakes we love from aquatic invasive species.

May 11, 2023

Hords Creek Lake ‘Fully Infested’ with Invasive Zebra Mussels

AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has designated Hords Creek Lake in Coleman County as “infested” with invasive zebra mussels, signifying that an established, reproducing population is present in the lake.

May 4, 2023

Texas Game Wardens, Army Corps of Engineers Team Up for National Safe Boating Week

LEWISVILLE — Texas Game Wardens and the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) Rangers will offer water safety education and outreach opportunities on Lake Lewisville this Memorial Day Weekend as part of National Safe Boating Week.

April 27, 2023

Stay Aware, Stay Safe During Water Safety Month in May

AUSTIN — Summer’s scorching temperatures are just around the corner and, to most Texans, that means taking refuge in the water. May is National Water Safety Month, so the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) reminds boaters to follow some simple, yet effective, safety precautions to prevent accidents and save lives.

March 28, 2023

Boaters, Anglers Encouraged to Stay Clear of Coastal Waterbird Rookeries

AUSTIN — With peak boating season around the corner, Texans recreating on the coast are likely to spot iconic coastal birds such as brown pelicans, roseate spoonbills, black skimmers and reddish egrets nesting in dense colonies, called rookeries. These rookeries provide breeding homes (and nurseries) for thousands of birds and other species on barrier and smaller islands in Texas bays. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) encourages Texas boaters and anglers to watch out for these nesting birds while on the coast so they aren’t disturbed during this sensitive time.

March 15, 2023

TPWD Receives Grants To Help Increase Fishing and Boating

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has been awarded a pair of R3 program grants by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) to support state recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) initiatives to increase fishing and boating participation. Texas is one of only nine states to receive a grant and the only state to be awarded funding for two separate programs.

Jan. 24, 2023

TPWD Unveils Virtual Reality Boater App at Houston Boat and Car Show

HOUSTON – The latest classroom for boating education is virtual reality. In a nationwide first, the TPWD boater education program will utilize VR headsets to introduce audiences to the joy of sailing where wind, waves and actions all impact the boat’s behavior. While immersed in a highly realistic environment, participants will learn about different types of sailboats, parts of the boat and steering basics. The virtual reality sailing course is part of the MarineVerse app, one of the online training courses offered by Nautic Ed.

Sept. 2, 2022

Texas Game Wardens Stress Water, Boating Safety Ahead of Labor Day Weekend

AUSTIN— Ahead of the Labor Day Weekend, Texas Game Wardens and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) remind those heading out to the water to follow basic boating and water safety precautions. In 2021, ramped-up patrols, partnered with boater education outreach programs, contributed to a 43 percent decrease in boating-related accidents and a 50 percent decrease in open-water drownings compared to 2020.