LEWISVILLE -- Memorial Day weekend is certainly well underway by now, and more people are expected to head all across North Texas lakes. But already there has been a tragedy in the water after a Tarrant County man drowned Friday night in Lake Benbrook. Rescuers found the body of Christopher Kopper on the shore of Mustang Park at around 10:30 p.m. Friday night. He was camping with relatives there at the park.

Now, officials are sending out warnings.

Deputies worry they are certain to see more accidents this weekend. The deputies at Lewisville Lake are trying a new program aimed to help cut injuries on what’s expected to be a very busy weekend.

On his first stop on patrol on Lewisville Lake, Deputy Tony Tullos finds a problem, an empty extinguisher. Deputies are cracking down on safety hazards this holiday weekend, especially on drinking.

The county launched its new “no refusal” program, were DWI suspects who refused breathalyzer tests will be taken to jail and forced to provide a blood sample. “This is the point where we gave a lot of leeway in the past years, we’re not giving it anymore,” said Deputy Tullos.

No leeway on what’s expected to be a crowded weekend on the North Texas lakes. The first summer in two years that there have been normal water levels, combined with high gas prices, are causing thousands of North Texans to stay close to home.

Families like the Russells are combining their holiday with their daughter’s birthday party. “To go anywhere, other than this area, is going to cost you an arm and a leg. So, we’re trying to conserve and do things closer to home,” said Martie Russell.

Demand is still high at Just for Fun boat rental, although gas prices threaten to drag down sales. “This is the first time we’ve raised prices in three years, and we’ve gone up $5 per hour, per boat. We feel it just like everyone else. It’s an increasing expense to us,“ said John Hamiln, manager of Just for Fun. Still, for some families it’s worth the cost and an affordable compromise for the weekend.

On lakes across North Texas officers will be randomly pulling over boats to make sure that people are obeying laws. Especially since 4 to 5 people, every year, drown on waterways just this weekend.

E-mail jbetz@wfaa.com