News Summary
A tragic drowning incident occurred at Stillhouse Hollow Lake, with the victim’s body discovered three hours after the emergency call. Multiple agencies responded to the scene. This incident coincided with significant flooding at the lake, impacting local parks. Authorities are investigating while safety measures are in place as water levels rise.
Belton, Texas – A tragic drowning incident occurred at Stillhouse Hollow Lake on Monday, April 7, prompting a coordinated response from multiple local agencies. The Bell County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call regarding the emergency around 3:15 p.m. Efforts to locate and recover the victim involved various responders, including the Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens, US Army Corps of Engineers Park Rangers, Stillhouse Fire Department, Belton Emergency Medical Services, and the Morgan’s Point Resort Dive Team.
The victim’s body was discovered by the dive team approximately three hours after the initial call, around 6:15 p.m. In light of the incident, Justice of the Peace Cliff Coleman has initiated an inquest, and the Bell County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division is currently conducting an investigation. The identity of the victim has not been made public while notifications to family members are pending.
In conjunction with the drowning incident, Stillhouse Hollow Lake is currently facing significant flooding due to recent heavy rainfall. Reports indicate that the water levels in the lake have risen more than 10 feet above normal, leading to the flooding of five out of six parks in the area. Within the past month, the water level at the lake surged from approximately 620 feet to over 630 feet, with the lake having been at 100% capacity for a week prior to this flooding incident.
Residents and park visitors have noted that picnic tables and various recreational areas have been submerged due to the elevated water levels. As per the assessment of an Army Corps of Engineers Ranger, the flooding follows a recognized pattern, as the lake had just exited a flood stage last year only to enter a similar circumstance this year. Furthermore, two years ago, the lake experienced record low water levels, which has added to the ongoing concerns regarding drought conditions in the region.
The primary purpose of the reservoir is to serve as a flood control mechanism rather than recreational use, a fact reiterated by both officials and local observers. In response to the flooding situation, the Army Corps of Engineers is currently evaluating when it will be appropriate to release water from the lake.
At this time, only Chalk Ridge Falls park remains open to the public amidst the flooding conditions, while the other parks, submerged under water, have been closed for safety reasons.
This sequence of events highlights the pressing challenges posed by weather patterns and the dual nature of the lake’s usage, balancing recreation and necessary flood control measures. The community is urged to stay informed and exercise caution during this period of heightened water levels and transition into flood control management.
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Additional Resources
- KDH News
- Wikipedia: Stillhouse Hollow Lake
- Kcen TV
- Google Search: Stillhouse Hollow Lake drowning
- FOX 44 News
- Google Scholar: Flood control Stillhouse Hollow Lake
- KXXV News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flood Management Lakes
- Kcen TV Video
- Google News: Flooding Bell County
Author: STAFF HERE GEORGETOWN
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