An alcohol ban is now in effect at the Barton Springs Spillway. Starting on Tuesday, the Austin Police Department began cracking down on — and ticketing — visitors who are consuming alcohol.
The Austin Police Department and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department announced the new ban on alcohol consumption in August. Those caught drinking alcohol at the spillway, which is located downstream from Barton Springs Pool, could pay a fine of up to $500.
In August, Austin police also began enforcing existing ordinances that ban smoking in the park and require dogs to be on leashes at all times. There is also a swimming ban at the spillway, but the Parks Department isn't actively enforcing that at this time. In fact, the department will work with the City Council to officially allow swimming in the future.
A 40 percent spike in crime-related activities near the spillway has occurred over the past six months. This includes nearly two dozen thefts of wallets and purses in July alone, as well as increased drug-related activities and excessive alcohol use. Austin police hope the new rules and greater enforcement will slow the crime bump.
CultureMap took a ride on Tormenta before it opens to the public.
Six Flags Over Texas will officially open its anticipated new roller coaster, Tormenta Rampaging Run, on Thursday, July 9, and CultureMap and other media and VIPs were given early access to experience the ride's intense thrills before its public debut.
The new coaster boasts several records — as the tallest, fastest, longest, and first-ever giga (300+-foot-tall) dive coaster in the world, topping out at 309 feet just before it sends riders plunging into a beyond-vertical, 95-degree, 285-foot drop. We take you along for the ride in the following video:
Each car of the coaster features three rows of seats with eight seats per row, servicing 24 riders at a time. During the preview event, two cars were sent out in staggered sessions, but a third car sat close by to be used if needed.
The ride's rodeo theme is strong, with multiple posters advertising fictional rodeos and a metallic gate swinging open at the start to let the bull car pass through.
To paraphrase Ned Ryerson in Groundhog Day, the first part is a doozy, as riders are click-clacked up a steep stretch forcing them to look straight up into the sky.
The ever-so-brief pause at top affords a view of the surrounding city, the rest of Six Flags, and, in the distance, the downtown Dallas skyline. The angle feels like you're above those towering skyscrapers even though logic tells you that you aren't.
The initial plunge tests the mettle of even hardcore roller coaster fans, sending riders through the extreme drop before hurtling them into two large loops and a corkscrew before coming to another brief stop.
The 95-degree, 285-foot drop of Tormenta Rampaging Run. Photo courtesy of Six Flags Over Texas
That stop gives riders only a small reprieve before they're shot through two smaller loops and a sharp right curve before — mercifully — coming to a jolting halt as the coaster car is shuttled back into the loading station.
From start to finish, the ride lasts around 2 minutes and 45 seconds, but the first 75 seconds is spent just getting to the start of the main portion of the coaster.
All told, the drops, loops, and other elements lasts exactly one minute, which is not that long, but the time-to-thrill ratio is still high.
Misting fans and pergolas will help keep riders cool while waiting in line for Tormenta.Photo by Alex Bentley
Even during the brutal heat of the Texas summer, visitors should expect lines to be long for the hot new ride. The corrals close to the ride have scattered pergolas and umbrellas for shade, as well as oscillating fans with misters. Once you reach the completely covered top platform, there are a number of ceiling fans, although they do little to stave off the high humidity.
Opinions will differ as to whether a long wait time for a short ride is worth it, but for those who get their kicks trying out the latest and greatest roller coasters, Tormenta Rampaging Run is a great new addition to the 65-year-old amusement park.
The grand opening for Tormenta is Thursday, July 9 at Six Flags Over Texas. The park is open daily through August 16.
The 95-degree, 285-foot drop of Tormenta Rampaging Run. Photo courtesy of Six Flags Over Texas 
Misting fans and pergolas will help keep riders cool while waiting in line for Tormenta.Photo by Alex Bentley