Bob Wentz issues

[cavemn]

There are a number of issues with Bob Wentz park from access for divers, Ranger attitudes and line permits. Below is my original post on the dive reports. I am not spending/wasting any more of my time on this. I will just start spending my money with Robert and Richard.

I was threatened with tickets by J. Delahouse. The attitude I received was unnecessary. The guy acted like he had never seen me there before. Last Memorial Day he thanked me for coming out and being there. I was not doing anything I haven't done in the last two years to enter the water safely. I was there last Saturday and entered the water in the same manner.

I left instead of diving and of course the day permit is non-refundable. Until something changes I refuse to go back. They have artificially made it hazardous to a diver's physical health and safety to enter or exit the water.

I could go on about how they don't check fishing permits or rarely check for smuggled in alcohol. I could also talk about how I fish beer cans and other trash out of the lake, but it doesn't matter. The best thing we can do. Divers is complain to LCRA to make it more safe for divers to enjoy that park by better access to the water.

 

[cbrich]

That sucks, I wonder if it's same at Mansfield? No wonder Richard has so much problems with them.

 

[chrpai]

I posted the other day how I was harrassed by the rangers at Mansfield for parking where I apparently wasn't supposed to. (No paint or signs to that effect.) Someone else posted similar and the Aquarius folks that I met said they used to have an awesome relationship with the rangers but that it's gone down hill over the years.

Richard seems really nice. First time I met him I asked a couple questions to make sure I knew how he liked to run the place and he didn't even want to bother checking my c-card. He just said he figured if someone made it out this far with gear they were ok. I heard from someone that he likes Scotch. I think next time I'm out there I'm going to bring him a little thank you. My kids loved his $2 bills for change.

I haven't been to Bob Wentz yet and now I suspect I won't. I suspect I'll visit Robert soon here.

 

[driftwood]

There are a number of issues with Bob Wentz park from access for divers, Ranger attitudes and line permits. Below is my original post on the dive reports. I am not spending/wasting any more of my time on this. I will just start spending my money with Robert and Richard.

I was threatened with tickets by J. Delahouse. The attitude I received was unnecessary. The guy acted like he had never seen me there before. Last Memorial Day he thanked me for coming out and being there. I was not doing anything I haven't done in the last two years to enter the water safely. I was there last Saturday and entered the water in the same manner.

I left instead of diving and of course the day permit is non-refundable. Until something changes I refuse to go back. They have artificially made it hazardous to a diver's physical health and safety to enter or exit the water.

I could go on about how they don't check fishing permits or rarely check for smuggled in alcohol. I could also talk about how I fish beer cans and other trash out of the lake, but it doesn't matter. The best thing we can do. Divers is complain to LCRA to make it more safe for divers to enjoy that park by better access to the water.

I don't think that would do much good. Wentz is run by Travis County not LCRA. The first thing I would make sure of is that we are not violating any of the park's rules and policies. Tough to complain when they have a fig leaf to hind behind. If the ranger's actions appear to be arbitrary, after a review of said rules, make an informal request to review the situation through your Travis County Commissioner. You can also begin a conversation with the Travis County Lake Patrol unit with the focus on public safety.

From my POV, this should all be done informally. Make it a formal inquiry and you are likely to see the Rangers dig their heels in and very strictly enforce rules we don't even know about.

BTW, I doubt that the Rangers really give a flip about divers. From a Ranger's POV, their lives would probably be easier if we didn't exist.

 

[Dave55]

My experience in well over 100 diving excursions at Mansfield and Wentz is that the park rangers are helpful and friendly. Also, several of them are former dive instructors and/or cave divers, so they will frequently strike up a conversation (including the one mentioned in the OP).

Furthermore, I have found that the rangers would occasionally relax certain rules to accomodate divers. For example, when the boat ramp was closed due to the low lake level, they would allow divers to back their cars down the ramp to the water at Mansfield and dive off the ramp. Also, they would frequently allow divers to stay in the park after dusk on Weds nights.

I'm not doubting the experience of the OP; I'm just stating that I've had a far different experience. I suppose it is possible that someone was having a bad day.

One thing is for sure (I confirmed this today): you are no longer allowed to back your truck down to the water at Wentz. I don't have a problem with that.

 

[Hemlon]

I've never had an issue with the rangers at Bob Wentz or at Mansfield. Hopefully, this issue is limited to just this one ranger.

 

[cavemn]

None are certified cave divers and you will get a ticket backing down the ramp at Mansfield now too.

Just because he is an instructor doesn't make him some sort of scuba god.

My experience in well over 100 diving excursions at Mansfield and Wentz is that the park rangers are helpful and friendly. Also, several of them are former dive instructors and/or cave divers, so they will frequently strike up a conversation (including the one mentioned in the OP).

Furthermore, I have found that the rangers would occasionally relax certain rules to accomodate divers. For example, when the boat ramp was closed due to the low lake level, they would allow divers to back their cars down the ramp to the water at Mansfield and dive off the ramp. Also, they would frequently allow divers to stay in the park after dusk on Weds nights.

I'm not doubting the experience of the OP; I'm just stating that I've had a far different experience. I suppose it is possible that someone was having a bad day.

One thing is for sure (I confirmed this today): you are no longer allowed to back your truck down to the water at Wentz. I don't have a problem with that.