Lake Conroe deaths keep declining after one of its deadliest years in 2021. What to know for Memorial Day

Authorities say increased safety efforts on Lake Conroe are behind the lake’s steady decline in fatal boating and drowning incidents in recent years. 

As of May, there have been five rescue calls made to the Montgomery County Constable Precinct 1 Office, with no major accidents reported, said Lt. Miguel Rosario.

“We’ve been pushing a lot of safety,” Rosario said. “We’ve been talking to the public as much as we can. We push out safety stuff on our social media. We’re trying to get the public more in-tune with safety (and) what we’re doing seems to be working.” 

In 2021, Lake Conroe logged one of its deadliest years with six fatalities — five drowning cases and one fatal boating wreck.  Officials cited the COVID-19 pandemic spurring increased visits on the lake. 

In 2022, the lake had two drowning cases reported with no major boating accidents.

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Despite storms moving across the lake region, including a fast-moving storm Tuesday afternoon that caused a house being built to collapse and kill two construction workers, the weather is expected to be fair for the Memorial Day weekend that traditionally kicks off the summer boating season.

According to the National Weather Service, the Conroe area is expected to be sunny throughout the weekend with highs near 90. 

“I would expect with the nice weather on Memorial Day that we’re going to have a pretty busy weekend,” Rosario said. 

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Margaritaville ready for busy season

Tom Faust, vice president of sales and marketing for Margaritaville Lake Resort at Lake Conroe, called Memorial Day Weekend “the first of three Super Bowls” this summer, including the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends. The resort has 335 rooms and is expected to be 95 to 100 percent occupied over the weekend, Faust said. 

“Really every summer weekend is very strong, but when you have those three day weekends, that just extends it,” he said. 

Einstein’s Ship Store, which partners with the resort to rent out boats, is also expected to have a busy Sunday, said Dean Einstein, owner of the company. About 16 boats are expected to be rented out over the weekend, he said. 

“I’m assuming to be fully booked,” Einstein said. 

How to stay safe on Lake Conroe 

For every major summer holiday, lake patrol does free, voluntary boat safety checks, identifying six items required by Texas state law — including life jackets, a fire extinguisher, a Class IV throwable life preserver, a sounding device, a state-issued registration card and a cut-off switch lanyard.

The constable’s office also released a video earlier this month to advise people on what to do before entering a boat.

The agency advised people on the lake to always bring a life jacket, check the boat before leaving to make sure it’s operational, check the weather, have a designated captain and have a plan. 

“The lake hasn’t slowed down from COVID, there’s still as many people, but I think now they’re learning the safety aspect of it,” Rosario said. 

michael.d.garcia@houstonchronicle.com