SAN ANTONIO – Despite severe drought conditions plaguing South Texas, revelers flocked to the Comal River on Thursday for Fourth of July celebrations, undeterred by historically low water levels.
Throughout the day, tubing enthusiasts descended upon the river, eager to soak in the holiday festivities despite the river’s current depth of just three feet, its lowest point this year.
“We still gonna have some fun. We still gonna show out for sure,” said one tuber, undeterred by the dry spell.
When asked if the lower levels played any impact on their decision-making, one person said:
It was always the plan – we’ve seen the river and it doesn’t – doesn’t even look low enough to worry about it.
Local businesses, however, anticipated a slower day than usual due to the midweek holiday.
“Thursday, the Fourth will be a little tamer just because of the way it falls during the week. Tomorrow will actually be our big Saturday,” remarked Shane Wolf, Director of Landa Falls, a local tubing rental service.
Looking ahead, businesses are gearing up for an influx of visitors over the weekend.
“We’ll expect thousands this weekend here in New Braunfels to say the least for the two rivers and Schlitterbahn. The doors are open. We’re here, we’re ready. Ready to go for the big Fourth,” said Wolf.
The drought has significantly impacted water levels in the region, with Medina Lake, for example, sitting at a mere 2% capacity. Despite these challenges, holiday-goers remain committed to their plans, showcasing resilience in the face of adversity.
