Ingram Lake, which is part of the Guadalupe River, is still a mess after the July 4 flooding. Residents want something done.
INGRAM, Texas — Ingram residents begged and pleaded with the Kerr County Commissioners Court on Monday morning to begin the process of draining the Ingram Lake.
The body of water, which is really a man-made lake formed by a dam on the Guadalupe River at the City of Ingram, became the stopping point for vehicles, trash, trees and other debris during the devastating July 4 flooding. Local residents worry there are still vehicles, human remains, and toxic chemicals remaining in the water.
Ann Carr, who lives nearby, has created a petition to drain the lake, which she said gathered 650 signatures. There is also a Facebook page dedicated to the issue.
“During the flood we watched things like propane tanks come down, kitchen appliances, a huge bale of hay. We saw dead animals caught in building materials.” Carr said. “The state and the county needs to come together and come up with a plan, quick, to take care of the lake and drain it responsibly.”
Carr did clarify that she wanted to wait until October or November to drain the lake because it would be better for trees in the area. She worried that it would be a six-month process – or more – adding that if the county waited it would hurt city businesses next summer.
“The lake is an economic engine for our city,” Carr said. “People come in and boat and fish. They go to the restaurants and shops.”
The issue came to the Kerr County Commissioners Court on Monday morning, where multiple residents pleaded with county leaders to drain and clean the lake.
Commissioner Tom Jones thanked the residents for coming, but said they couldn’t drain the lake yet because the recovery process hasn’t yet reached the finish line.
In other words, they are still looking for bodies.
KENS 5 followed up with Jones on a phone call to clarify exactly what was happening on the lake and why draining it was not an option right now. According to the county commissioner, crews have already removed all the vehicles from the lake as of last week and Texas Task Force 1 is currently scanning the lake with sonar technology to get a better picture and look for human remains.
He said there will eventually be barges with excavators that will dig for human remains.
“That has to take place first,” Jones said. “There will be a couple of months for all that to be approved. That has to be done with extreme caution and care. The primary focus is still recovery with nothing but honor and respect for these families.”
Jones added the county had spoken to state experts, who they believed draining the lake, even very slowly, could mean losing any human remains.
Additionally, Jones said there is a possibility that the lone remaining missing victim from Camp Mystic, 8-year-old Cile Stewart, could be in that part of the river. Jones said that if the excavators don’t find anything, draining the lake could be a subsequent plan of action.
Carr said she agreed with Jones that finding flood victims is the first priority. At the same time, she worried that failing to drain the lake this year would mean more pain, or even closures, for businesses next summer.
“We can’t afford to lose another summer because we are not acting fast enough to drain our lake now,” she said.