Recently a reader on Cedar Creek Lake posted a several questions regarding law enforcement on the lake.

“As a newcomer to Cedar Creek I expected to see Texas Game Wardens and maybe Henderson County Sheriff Deputies, but not the US Coast Guard. Can you clarify who has jurisdiction for enforcement of boating and game laws on the Lake?

“Can the Coast Guard Auxiliary issue citations that require boaters to pay fines or appear in court? Are these folks unpaid volunteers? Are they Texas peace officers?

“Do the various municipal police departments enforce laws on the lake, or do they stay off the water?”

Capt. Mike Hanson, of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s law enforcement division provides the following answers and insights on Cedar Creek Lake.

“There are three Texas Game Wardens assigned to Henderson County. One of their core duties, of course, is water safety law enforcement. In addition to water safety enforcement on Cedar Creek, they provide general law enforcement as well and deal with hunting, fishing, environmental, narcotics and penal code violations, to include, but not limited to BWI.

“In addition to their enforcement activities on Cedar Creek, they cover the Trinity River and a majority of Lake Palestine as well. Lake Athens is also in their area of responsibility, but has a municipal enforcement officer there. His presence reduces some of the time that they have had to devote to this particular lake in the past. As the seasons change, so do the wardens duties, but a great portion of their work time currently is devoted to Cedar Creek.

“In addition to the three wardens assigned to Henderson County, they are frequently assisted on Cedar Creek by other wardens from our district. Tarrant Regional Water District, the governing body over Cedar Creek, are great folks to work with and do all they can to assist wardens, both locally and from out of town who come over to work on Cedar Creek.

As far as the Coast Guard Auxiliary, they are volunteers and conduct safety checks to see that required safety equipment is on board vessels on Cedar Creek. I'm unaware of any enforcement authority they possess as far as issuing any type of citation for a violation.

None of the municipalities, around Cedar Creek, have any officers who actually patrol on the lake. Henderson County Sheriff's Office does have a Marine Unit and you will see them on Cedar Creek. Gun Barrel City PD has gone above and beyond on numerous occasions to assist us with transport needs and are greatly appreciated.”

Hopefully this information gives a better understanding how law enforcement works on Cedar Creek Lake. Thanks for the great question.