Clay Sellers: Got questions about the Brazos. No more unknowns. Ever wonder where that water comes from or where it goes? We're Unpacking the Brazos River.
Charlie L Shugart: If you live in Hood County and have a kiddo who thinks they're basically a fish the second they see Lake Granbury, listen up. We've got something that is gonna make your summer a whole lot less stressful, and it involves free gear. Honestly, who doesn't love free stuff? I'm super pumped to have some of our team from the Brazos River Authority’s Lake Granbury office here today to give you the 411 on the water safety awareness event that will set you up for success this summer. I'm Charlie Shugart, and this is Unpacking the Brazos River. Joining us in the pod again today to share the deets on this water safety bash is Dylan Mayfield, Lake Granbury's reservoir manager, and Cody Yarborough, lake ranger sergeant at Lake Granbury. Thanks for coming back and joining us.
Dylan Mayfield: Glad to have us.
Cody Yarbrough: Good morning.
Charlie L Shugart: And, Cody, this is your first time on the podcast?
Cody Yarbrough: First time.
Charlie L Shugart: Welcome. Since this is your first time, tell our audience just a little bit about your history with the BRA.
Cody Yarbrough: I came to work here in 2021 when I was looking for a job after leaving my full career job in West Texas. I came across this, applied, was hired in '21, went to work as a lake ranger, and was promoted to sergeant lake ranger in '24, when Dylan came also in '24.
Charlie L Shugart: Yeah. Awesome. Well, I appreciate you guys making the time to sit down and talk with me. Okay. So y'all have a big event coming up here in May. Tell me about it.
Dylan Mayfield: Yes. So we have what we call the Water Safety Awareness Day. It's the eighth annual here at Lake Granbury. It's a great event. This year's theme is the 250th year to celebrate our nation's independence, and so it's a great event. It's May 16 of this year. It's 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., so it's great time. Lots of things for all ages.
Charlie L Shugart: Well, and I hear you guys are giving something away pretty special at this event.
Dylan Mayfield: Yes. So who doesn't like free gear? We have 300 free kids life jackets.
Charlie L Shugart: Incredible.
Dylan Mayfield: We will size them. We have people that will help you kinda give you information on life jackets and all that kind of stuff. You know, life jackets are expensive and so free is a great thing that we can provide. That and any way to kinda bring awareness and, you know, increase life safety.
Charlie L Shugart: Yeah. 300 free life jackets, that's an incredible thing to give back to the community. So, if I'm a parent, do I need to physically bring my child to get the life jacket, or how does that work?
Dylan Mayfield: It's better if you bring them, so then we can see, you know, we can get estimated weight, height, do it that way. Worst case scenario, if you can have those parameters, we can give you a life jacket, but it's best if we see it, put it on them, size it, adjust it out there they can get it and make sure it's properly sized.
Charlie L Shugart: Absolutely.
Dylan Mayfield: Drownings is a silent action. Kids don't know they're in trouble till they're in trouble. With technology and phones - ultimately distractions. Let's say you're at a swim beach and you have all these adults around and you think, well, there's no way a kid could ever drown in a swim beach. Someone's watching them. But it happens in a moment's notice. There are kids who play drowning and things like that. So it's very hard to recognize until it's too late. That's where these life jackets come in and just make sure they're properly wearing them, and they're in serviceable condition. We just would rather prevent a drowning by providing a $20 life jacket. You know, in and around our lakes, you know, pools, anything like that. So we have a thing called Water Watcher tags. It's great for pools. It’s a tag on a lanyard that's, it designates specific people that they're not on their cell phone and they're watching, they are the respected adult that is watching all the kids and things like that. And then once they kinda get exhausted, they can pass that off, and so kind of a transfer that ownership over to watch the kids and things like that.
Charlie L Shugart: Yeah. So if I'm out with a bunch of my friends and their kids, we can just pass that back and forth.
Dylan Mayfield: Pass it around. Yeah. Yeah. And just kinda bring awareness to it. I mean, it happens, you know, all the time, and it's a tragedy. Typically there’s a life jacket within distance, and there's an adult within distance. Any way we can further the knowledge and education of water safety.
Charlie L Shugart: Yeah. I read some hard statistics on the CDC's website saying that drowning is the leading cause of death for kids ages one to four, and that's just a really heavy stat, and that we lose 4,000 people a year to drowning in the US. And I mean, one is too many, but four thousand, that's hard.
Dylan Mayfield: Mhmm. Yeah. You could be the greatest swimmer and have a medical situation or become incapacitated. You can be you're the best swimmer. A lot of the drownings that I've seen, you know, happen like that. So or people that are around the water. I mean, they're out on a dock and they never intended to be in the water and they fall in and they can't swim or they don't have the swim lessons and no one's around. So, just make sure if you're going fishing or out on the water, especially by yourself, that you have someone who knows where you are, where you launched out of, when they expect to be back. So if you don't return, then they know where to go looking for you.
Charlie L Shugart: Yeah. So, everybody's clear, when kids are out on the water on boats, is having a life jacket nearby, is that good enough for being out on the water with kids?
Dylan Mayfield: I've worked a lot of drownings over the years, and there are a lot of times where life jackets are 10 feet away, and so it only helps you if it's worn. You know, you just never know when, you know, you become incapacitated for whatever reason, a medical, you know, episode or anything, but having that life jacket will keep you afloat, at least until someone can recognize the situation.
Cody Yarbrough: Yeah. And also, under 13, it's required if they're underway. If they're moving, the under 13 have to have a life jacket.
Charlie L Shugart: Okay. So if the boat's on the move anytime, life jacket's on. Okay. Good. I see something that says "US Coast Guard approved" on labels. Is that just marketing, or is that actually a legal requirement that we care about?
Cody Yarbrough: That's a federal requirement.
Dylan Mayfield. On vessels.
Cody Yarbrough: On vessels. Yes. They all have to meet the Coast Guard standard or UL laboratory standard.
Charlie L Shugart: Okay. Yeah. And so it says that on the life jacket?
Cody Yarbrough: It does.
Charlie L Shugart: Okay. If someone's got, like, a dusty life jacket in the garage from, like, 2012, could they bring it up here for a vibe check to see if it's still in good working condition for the kids?
Dylan Mayfield: Something that old, if it was properly stored, it might be usable, but why trust a life jacket that old? It is something that we could provide some guidance on something, but I mean a lot of the times those materials will break down over time. Because they get mold, mildewy, they sit in the bottom of a boat, moisture and sunlight will break them down so it's a good idea just to get new ones and shred those so then someone else doesn't pick those up and start using them.
Charlie L Shugart: Oh, smart, yeah.
Dylan Mayfield: Even before you wear them, look at them, make sure that there are no straps torn, any type of straps or zippers are all in service condition. If there are any rips or tears, definitely get rid of them.
Charlie L Shugart: Yeah. Yeah. Alright. Well, then perfect timing for summer to start and you guys giving away free life jackets for kids. For the event, if I show up with my three children, can they all walk away with one, or is it really a one-per-family cap?
Dylan Mayfield: No. No. If you have multiple kids, yeah, we can accommodate that. Typically, we usually have a surplus after the event. So even after the event, if you need a life jacket, call up to the office here, reach out some way, we can get you a life jacket.
Charlie L Shugart: Awesome. What's a good number for people to call?
Cody Yarbrough: (817) 573-3212.
Charlie L Shugart: Perfect. Thank you.
Dylan Mayfield: And we have Cook Children's, which also donates a lot of life jackets to this event. Of course, the BRA, we purchase a lot of them through local vendors.
Charlie L Shugart: So, for the water safety awareness day event, is it just a life jacket giveaway, or what else is happening that day?
Dylan Mayfield: Oh, no. We have tons of state, county, local, just people that kinda have similar missions I would say. So, you know, game wardens, a lot of the sheriff's office, local emergency management, and fire departments. Who doesn't like a good fire truck? We have, I think, maybe a fire boat. I think air evac might land a helicopter on-site. It's kinda neat to see some of those things. So, I think we'll have one of our patrol boats just to kinda, you know, see things that you'll see on the water throughout the summer.
Charlie L Shugart: Oh, yeah. No. I'm sure that's those are big fan favorites.
Dylan Mayfield: Oh yeah. AgriLife the little Extension Office, YMCA, you know, with those different things, those types of programs that they have after school and things. Carter Blood Care, it's great. They're gonna be there Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can actually set up an appointment that day and so they'll be able to take your blood.
Charlie L Shugart: Oh, cool. Come get a free life jacket, donate blood. Nice. Enjoy free stuff.
Dylan Mayfield: Right. Right. The American Red Cross will be there. We'll also have the radio station K Hits. They'll be on live on water safety day. Just giving a shout-out to the local communities, reminding them of the event. We've got a ton of partners. There are just way too many volunteers to name, so that's the only way this event can go off with a hitch is with all the volunteers, donations, and things like that.
Charlie L Shugart: Yeah, that's great.
Dylan Mayfield: We're very appreciative for all those. We have a Kids Fish that we have a ton of volunteers that help. You don't have to know anything about fishing, just show up. We have fishing equipment. Last year we caught a lot of fish. And it will be a catch and throwback. We'll kinda do some drawings and different things like that, potentially for free fishing poles.
Charlie L Shugart: Oh, that's really cool. Okay. So, if I've got a kid and we don't have any fishing equipment, we can bring them and you guys are gonna help?
Dylan Mayfield: Yeah. We'll have all the bait. We'll have the hooks. We'll have everything. So we’ll have people to kinda navigate all that stuff and kinda teach about fishing, kinda intro to the outdoors as far as fishing goes.
Charlie L Shugart: Yeah. That's really cool. If my kid has the attention span of a goldfish, if they get bored with fishing after five minutes, is there an exit strategy, or are we locked into a fishing seminar?
Dylan Mayfield: Oh, no. It's come and go. Yeah. Yeah. It's come and go. It’ll kinda be a natural flow of people you can talk to. So tons of giveaways. We'll have kind of an inflatable, you know, game. I think Raisin Canes will be there with treats, drinks, and things like that.
Charlie L Shugart: Awesome.
Dylan Mayfield: Everyone likes their tea and lemonade. But yes, we have a ton of people. It's a big event. So, we're grateful for all the volunteers.
Charlie L Shugart: Yeah. Should I make sure all my kids are well fed before coming, or will there be any food available?
Dylan Mayfield: Yeah. We'll have some free hot dogs. It will kinda curtail some of your hunger. There'll be some drinks and some hot free hot dogs for you.
Charlie L Shugart: Okay. Yeah. Okay. So I've heard free hot dogs, free life jackets, free fishing help, and equipment. Are there any other costs I may encounter? Like, is there an entrance cost that may be there?
Dylan Mayfield: No. No. Rough Creek Park, it's free, you can park right there. It's a quick little walk around. It'll be just a great day. So a ton of free stuff and, you know, no expense to the public. We have public restrooms there as well.
Charlie L Shugart: Well, we know that Texas weather has zero chill. If we wake up that morning and it's pouring, is there a rain date, or are we just embracing the water awareness of getting soaked?
Dylan Mayfield: Just depends on, you know, that day. Of course, if we have lightning or something like that, we'll have to make the call that morning. May is, you know, it's a hit or miss on Texas weather. We try to coincide this with Safe Boating Week. We just kinda get the information out there. But if we have to cancel the event, we'll still have a life jacket so people can reach out to us. We'll get you a life jacket no matter what.
Charlie L Shugart: Perfect. Yes. So ultimately, the goal of giving away free life jackets will happen regardless.
Dylan Mayfield: No matter what.
Charlie L Shugart: No matter what.
Dylan Mayfield: Hopefully, we’ll have the event. It was a big hit last year.
Charlie L Shugart: Could I bring my fur baby? If I have a dog on a leash, are they welcome to the party?
Dylan Mayfield: They are. Just know there's gonna be a ton of people out there. Just make sure, of course, they're on a leash and, you know, it'll be lights and sounds and stuff. If your dog's sensitive, just be aware of it.
Charlie L Shugart: Yeah. Yeah. We've gotta be very relaxed and chill dog. Okay. Cool. Are we shouting out to just Hood County residents? Like, if I'm visiting Granbury from Fort Worth, can I still swing by, or is this like a locals-only?
Dylan Mayfield: No. I mean, of course, you know, we want these life jacks to be used on Granbury. But we know with pools and things like that, water safety is water safety to us. So we really, you know, want to promote this for Hood County just with all the kids around here, and we have this great resource with the swim beach. We actually have a new life jacket loaner station over at DeCordoba Bend Park in the swim beach that'll have free access to the life jackets that we provide as the BRA.
Charlie L Shugart: Tell me a little bit, what exactly is a loaner station?
Dylan Mayfield: Yeah, so there'll be a, you know, there's a bulletin board there with free life jackets that has some information on kind of sizing and things like that, but it's free day use, so you know, while you're there throughout the day at the swim beach or in that park, you can grab a life jacket we just ask that you return it at the end of the day for use for future people.
Charlie L Shugart: Very cool. Yeah. You mentioned that this is around the same time as Safe Boating Week. So, for all of our friends who are visiting Lake Granbury, what are some main tips that you would like to remind people that, you know, are important for people to know while they're out on the water?
Cody Yarbrough: One of the main things at Lake Granbury is that we have our own regulation as far as distance for boating. A lot of people come here from different lakes, and the state law is 50 feet. But on our lake, it's 100 feet. So, if you're within 100 feet of any shoreline, dock, other boat, or personal watercraft, you have to remain 100 feet away if you're underway. If you come any closer, you've gotta slow down to no wake speed. That's the main big difference if you come to Lake Granbury.
Charlie L Shugart: What is a no wake speed?
Cody Yarbrough: Where you don't create any kind of wave on the water when you're moving through. Generally, idle speed is where you wanna be if you're in a no wake area, and the safest way. And be sure and keep your life jackets accessible. If you're 13, be sure and have it on if you're underway. Drink plenty of fluids. Texas gets hot. So make sure that you have plenty of water on board and watch out for your other people on the lake. Make sure you keep that 100-foot distance and just have a good time.
Charlie L Shugart: Yeah. I heard you say the word accessible. Is that what is important about the life jackets on the boat for the adults?
Cody Yarbrough: That's extremely important. You know, a lot of people on a boat or anything of that nature, and we check to make sure that their life jackets are handy. A lot of people will keep them in the storage bin up front. There are four people sitting on the storage bins. If something were to happen, it'll happen when you least expect it. So if those life jackets are out and accessible, best thing to do is be sitting on it. That way if something does happen, you have it right there handy to put on in an emergency.
Charlie L Shugart: Absolutely. I imagine most people think that, well, they'll have time and they can just get in there and grab it, but that's probably not the reality of situations.
Cody Yarbrough: Unfortunately, no. It's not. So, keep it accessible. Keep it handy. Wear it is the best thing to do, but if you're not gonna wear it, at least keep it where you can grab it at a moment’s notice.
Dylan Mayfield: Lake Granbury, as of right now, we have tons of water, so all the boat ramps are open. So, you know, it's one of those things that lake's full, everyone comes to the lake because that's, with the rising cost of everything, that's one of the cheaper things to come do. So safety is paramount. Of course, drink tons of water. Maybe limit the alcohol consumption, but we just hope and pray that everyone comes back at the end of the day, returns home, and has a great experience.
Charlie L Shugart: Yeah, absolutely. What boat ramps do y'all have?
Dylan Mayfield: So, we have the DeCordova Bend Park. There's a boat ramp there with a courtesy dock, Rough Creek Park, Thorpe Spring Park, and Hunter Park. All have boat ramps. So, depending on what area of the lake you wanna be on, some of our more popular boat ramps are DeCordova Bend Park and Rough Creek Park, and then on kind of the main lake in Hunter Park, you know, for the fishing and things like that.
Charlie L Shugart: Okay.
Cody Yarbrough: Hunter Park's close to the river as well. A lot of people like to go up the river.
Charlie L Shugart: Alright. Nice. Good to know. Yeah. Okay. So remind me again, time, date, and place for our water safety awareness event.
Dylan Mayfield: Yes. So, Water Safety Awareness Day is at Rough Creek Park here on Lake Granbury on May 16 this year, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the address for Rough Creek Park is 2209 South Morgan Street, also Highway 144 here in Granbury.
Charlie L Shugart: Okay. Great. Well, it's a really cool event, and we really appreciate everybody putting this together. I'm sure it takes a lot of effort to recruit all the volunteers and get the life jackets and everything, so yeah, very cool thing that y’all’s office is working on. Okay, well, water safety messages can never be heard enough and reminders to take care around water can be done in fun and engaging ways for all ages and that's really what makes this event really special. Even for those who have been out before, rehearing and reinforcing water safety techniques and measures can be lifesaving. Well, if you are listening and you have got questions, please feel free to shoot us an email at information@Brazos.org or give us a ring at (817) 573-3212. We're happy to help you out. Thanks for joining us on Unpacking the Brazos River, and we will see you between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Saturday, May 16, at Rough Creek Park on Lake Granbury.