The COE lake manager is usually the difference. The last 2 lake managers at Lake Belton see public use of the lake as a nuisance, Public use is not part of the mission of flood control. Hence the lake facilities are far below par. Lake Waco, 35 miles away is totally different; nice ramps, roads, parks, restrooms, courtesy docks. After flooding at Lake Belton, courtesy docks may not get repaired for 6-8 months. Excuse, not enough money. At Lake Waco, courtesy docks are back in place as soon as the water recedes enough. And the lack of money is total BS. As usual with gov't agencies, it's what you spend the money for.

Leona Park has a few hundred yards of rock bank and a good place for bank fisherman. Few yrs ago when the lake was low, the COE paid a contractor to build a pipe fence from the parking lot, around the turn around at the top of the ramp and down both sides of the ramp. Had to cost at least $40K. I called COE office and asked why the pipe fence and was told this is our first move to keep people from driving off the pavement. I said the pipe fencing down both sides of the ramp is a safety hazard. Boats will be hitting the pipe when the water comes up. Silence, as if they hadn't thought of that. I asked why don't you just issue tickets to those driving off the pavement? Reply: there's 13 ramps and only 5 of use to patrol them. WOW! What a monumental task that must be. Especially considering there's 2-3 ramps in several places less than 2 miles apart.

Several yrs ago, after a flood, the lake facilities were in disrepair and ramps not opened. I drove by the COE office at the dam and counted 18 vehicles, cars and pick ups, in the motor pool. Wrote my Congressman asking why the ramps can't be opened and courtesy docks repaired and noted the 18 vehicles and asked how many employees worked at the COE office. Within a month of writing that letter, an 8 ft privacy fence was built around the motor pool area. And the courtesy docks still weren't repaired. Bureaucracy in action.