BTU clarifies changes to Lake Bryan entrance fees

BRAZOS COUNTY, Texas (KBTX) – Lake Bryan is the Brazos Valley’s destination for fishing, boating, camping and more. Families could visit for just $5, but beginning Memorial Day weekend, this will change in some cases.

Starting Friday, May 24, it will cost $5 per person to visit Lake Bryan. Previously, they charged $5 per vehicle. Some residents have expressed surprise and disappointment with the new fees.

Meagan Brown, with Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU), joined News 3 at Six to clarify some of the changes that will impact visitors. BTU owns Lake Bryan, which serves as a cooling reservoir for the Dansby Power Plant.

“BTU is a not-for-profit or cost-of-service utility, meaning we are not aiming to make a profit or to line anybody’s pockets, but we are municipally owned by the City of Bryan. However, the park itself is not a city park, so it’s not supported by tax dollars like you would see regular city parks,” explained Brown. “What we’re doing here is we are trying to make sure that the park breaks even so that it is not offset by electric revenues or any other dollars that the city might take in.”

People visiting Lake Bryan are supporting the park by paying the entry fees. Brown says with inflation, the cost of maintaining the park has gone up, which is why they decided to change the fee to visit.

Brown says not all family members will be included in the additional charges.

“That $5 per person is for adults, children 10 and under are going to be free,” she said. “We’re not changing any of the costs for the annual passes or camping or anything like that, we want it to be accessible for families in the Brazos Valley because it’s a great asset.”

Brown added that anyone just going to visit the Cadillac Ranch Bar & Grill will not have to pay the fee.

Another change will be when visitors pay. Drivers will now be charged when they exit, rather than at the entrance. Brown says this is because there were safety issues with cars lining up on Sandy Point Road waiting to enter the park and pay.

Brown says BTU is happy to answer any questions about the changes.

Watch the full interview with the player above. Learn more about Lake Bryan here.