Texas Game Wardens contacted more than 10,800 vessels and filed 62 boating while intoxicated charges during the Fourth of July holiday weekend without receiving any reports of boating-related fatalities, according to a July 13 news release from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The enforcement push came as part of Operation Dry Water, a nationwide campaign targeting alcohol- and drug-related incidents on the water.
Between July 3-5, 417 game wardens contacted 10,817 vessels, issued 1,466 citations and 1,974 warnings for boating safety violations, and filed 62 BWI charges along with four driving while intoxicated charges, the agency said. Wardens made 20 additional arrests for other offenses. The 62 BWI charges represent the highest number filed by Texas Game Wardens during the Fourth of July holiday weekend since 2019, according to the department.
While wardens responded to 25 boating incidents over the weekend, some involving serious bodily injury, none proved fatal, the release said. The department did report two open-water drownings, one at Lake Hawkins in Wood County and one at Lake Palo Pinto in Palo Pinto County, along with numerous calls for boating assistance statewide.
“Thousands of Texans and visitors safely enjoyed time on the water this holiday weekend, and we’re grateful the majority of boaters made responsible decisions by wearing life jackets, avoiding alcohol and watching out for each other,” said Col. Ron VanderRoest, director of the department’s Law Enforcement Division. “At the same time, the two lives lost are a sad reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike and the importance of remaining vigilant.”
Beyond boating enforcement, wardens responded to several vessel collisions, a reported hit-and-run involving a personal watercraft, medical emergencies, arrests for possession of controlled substances and multiple suspected human trafficking cases discovered during calls for service, the department said. Wardens also rescued a kayaker who had been in the water for approximately three hours without a life jacket after capsizing.
Education efforts ran alongside enforcement throughout the weekend, according to the release. Volunteers with the department’s Adopt-A-Ramp program made 393 contacts with boaters at Joe Pool Lake, Lake Lavon and Lake Bastrop, and a Fill the Boat donation event at Cedar Hill State Park collected 23 adult life jackets, three youth and infant life jackets and three canine life jackets for distribution to area loaner stations.
Texas Game Wardens will continue proactive boating safety patrols, education and outreach throughout the summer, the department said, encouraging everyone on the water to wear a properly fitted life jacket, designate a sober operator, monitor changing weather conditions and complete boater education.