Flooding has been big news in Texas for the last couple months and will probably linger into the remaining summer months. Tragic stories of loss and damage are rampant on the web and in the media. However, the Marinas of Lake Grapevine, comprised of Twin Coves Marina in Flower Mound, Silver Lake Marina and Scott’s Landing Marina in Grapevine, TX and the boat charter operation Waterway Adventures, have been able to find a way to make the very best of a truly difficult situation.
With the loss of gangways and walk-up access and the closure of many roadways, boat owners on Grapevine Lake were prospectively losing all access to their watercraft. Marina operators came to the rescue. Both Twin Coves Marina and Scott’s Landing Marina have been shuttling members by boat from the docks at Silver Lake Marina to their respective locations during the high water and will continue until the roads open and lake levels return to normal.
“Early on, the biggest impact was the loss of parking,” says Jeff Rose, Vice President of Operations for Marinas International. “We were able to put a plan in place to maximize the remaining dry space by staffing the parking areas at Silver Lake Marina.” Marinas International, the Dallas-based management company that operates all of these facilities implemented the shuttle operation as quickly as possible, so marina members could maintain access to their boats. “Now the bigger impact is the incomplete media coverage causing panic among charter guests and marina members.”
On Thursday, the local US Army Corps of Engineers Office issued a standard press release that showed closure of their operations on Grapevine Lake, including public areas, such as parks, campgrounds and boat ramps. This led to a media stir about lakes being closed for business for the summer.
“Nothing could be further from the truth. The lake and Fairway Drive is open from Highway 26 to the marina entrance,” says Wess Jones, manager at Waterway Adventures. The charter business has continued to operate throughout the flooding. “Guests have no alternative but to trust what they see on television and what they are being told on social media,” said Jones. “It would be great to see some positive coverage or at least some more complete and responsible reporting by the media.”
Community support for the Grapevine Lake marinas has been overwhelmingly positive. Tina Nealy, operator of Paradise Cove, whose lakefront wedding and event business was closed by the flooding supports the marinas in their continued efforts.
“They have been working non-stop to make the marinas accessible” says Nealy. “They are working hard so everyone can enjoy our great lakes-area this summer.”
In a statement provided to the marinas of Grapevine Lake, “City of Grapevine officials are committed to helping the marinas, Big Daddy’s and Paradise Cove get back to regular operations as soon as possible- we know how much our residents and visitors enjoy all of the amenities that they offer at Lake Grapevine. In the meantime, we (City of Grapevine) appreciate everyone’s patience as the marinas try to accommodate their customers.”
Marina member and owner of Boats of Dallas, Steve Boudreaux credits the marinas for their service to the boating community of Greater DFW. “Kudos to the best marinas in Texas for doing everything possible to help members access their boats by offering free shuttle service,” says Boudreaux. “Most marinas would have thrown in the towel.”
“The marinas at Grapevine Lake pride themselves on making guests priority number one,” says Jeff Rose. “It is a business practice that has never failed.”
*Grapevine Lake is located in the heart of Dallas/Fort Worth on the northern border of the City of Grapevine. The roughly 8,000 acre lake is home to some of the most enjoyable outdoor activities in Grapevine.