Smaller tubing crowds seen on rivers

Tubers hit the Comal River in New Braunfels on Monday Sept. 3, 2012. Tubers hit the Comal River in New Braunfels on Monday Sept. 3, 2012. Photo: Helen L. Montoya, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS Photo: Helen L. Montoya, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS Image 1 of / 260 Caption Close Smaller tubing crowds seen on rivers 1 / 260 Back to Gallery

Labor Day weekend, historically one of the year's busiest on the Guadalupe and Comal rivers, saw much smaller crowds this year, according to early reports.

The money-making holiday was an oft-cited concern as New Braunfels weighed a disposable container ban on waterways within the city. The law, which led to misconceptions about what beverages were OK to drink, took effect Jan. 1.

One outfitter interviewed by KABB-TV estimated business for the summer was down 50 percent.