With the upcoming Labor Day weekend, I thought it prudent to remind everyone of the new ordinances enacted for public safety and to protect our rivers. They do not apply within Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort, the Texas Ski Ranch or outside the New Braunfels city limits (above Gruene Bridge.) Have a safe and fun time on the river!

New safety measures are in place this year for the Comal River and the portion of the Guadalupe River within the city limits below Gruene Bridge.

New Braunfels welcomes guests to enjoy the Comal and Guadalupe rivers with the following guidelines designed to ensure public safety, enhance visitor experience and protect the natural environment of the rivers:

Alcoholic beverages:

Open containers are not allowed in Prince Solms Park, at the last public exit on the Comal River, Cypress Bend Park, and Hinman Island Park.

Containers/Coolers:

Glass or foam containers are not allowed on any waterway in Texas.

Volume drinking devices or containers under 5 fluid oz. are not allowed.

Coolers up to a 16 quart size are welcome on the rivers. Please note that all coolers must have a locking mechanism to prevent spillage (a zipper, Velcro fastener, latch, or cord to keep cooler lids on.)

Flotation Devices:

It shall be unlawful for any person, regardless of age, to enter, be on, or in the public waters of the portion of the Guadalupe River that lies within the city limits in an inner tube or other flotation device, other than a six-man raft, when the flow of the river is above 1,000 cfs.

Vessels over 18 feet are not allowed on the Guadalupe River within the city limits (below Gruene Bridge.).

Rafts are not allowed on the Comal River and all flotation devices used on the Comal River must be 5 feet or less in diameter or width at the widest point.

There is a limit of two tubes per person on the Comal River only.

Reasonable accommodations will be allowed for those with special needs and for those wishing to swim.

Hard body kayaks and canoes using the Comal River may not use the public exit on weekends or anytime during the summer.

Other equipment:

Noise devices (boom boxes) may not be audible beyond 50 ft.

Other regulations/recommendations to be aware of for river recreation activity:

Jumping from bridges, dams, and trees into the rivers is illegal.

Littering is illegal. Receptacles for disposal of litter are available.

Personal flotation devices, such as life vests, for children and weak swimmers on both the Comal and Guadalupe rivers are recommended at all times.

Tubing and swimming when the river flow is above 500 cfs is not recommended for the general public.

Only rafts navigated only by experienced paddlers are recommended when river flows are above 1000 cfs.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 27th, 2007 at 8:38 am by Michelle Deere and is filed under Recreation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.