Texas Drought Update As Popular Lake Hits Highest Level Since 2020

Newsweek

12 hours ago

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Repeated bouts of torrential rainfall have eliminated much of the drought that plagued Texas earlier this year.
The heavy rain caused river levels to surge, which then funneled water into Texas reservoirs, including Lake Travis, a major reservoir near Austin. Lake Travis experienced a sharp rise in water levels following deadly floods over the July 4 weekend and has now hit its highest level since June 2020.
"We have seen similar relatively large increases in the history of Lake Travis, which is in Flash Flood Alley," a spokesperson for the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), which manages the lake, told Newsweek.
Why It Matters
The dramatic turnaround in Lake Travis' water levels underscores the volatility of Texas' climate, where extreme drought can rapidly give way to destructive flooding. Prior to the rain, Lake Travis was only 43 percent of its capacity. At times over the past few years, water levels fell so low they exposed objects usually hidden underwater, such as an old concrete plant and pecan groves.
An aerial view of Lake Travis.
An aerial view of Lake Travis.
RoschetzkylstockPhoto/Getty
The recent floods, with some areas receiving more than 20 inches of rain, not only revived water levels but also led to deadly consequences and hazardous conditions for local communities. More than 100 people were killed, including 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic in Kerr County. Water officials stressed that sudden surges in lake levels are not unusual in the region, nicknamed "Flash Flood Alley" for its exposure to intense, rapid storm events.
What to Know
As of the most recent measurements from the U.S. Drought Monitor, roughly 23 percent of Texas was facing moderate drought conditions or worse. A map of the drought showed that it was concentrated in the southwest part of the state.
The state's drought is much improved compared to three months ago, when the more than 58 percent of the state battled moderate drought conditions or worse.
Lake Travis, part of the Highland Lakes system, has faced severe water shortages for years amid persistent droughts. These drought conditions were interrupted by sporadic heavy rains in 2024, but the relief was short-lived as dry conditions soon returned. Water loss due to evaporation also remained a major challenge.
The deadly floods over the July 4 holiday marked a dramatic reversal for Lake Travis' water levels. In just days, the lake rose from 43 percent to 81 percent of its total capacity according to Water Data for Texas. As of Tuesday morning, the lake was at 670 feet, around 10 feet below its full capacity. It's the highest the lake has been since June 2020. Before the July 4 weekend, the water level was at just under 640 feet.
The reservoir is prone to sudden rises and falls, with significant jumps in water levels documented throughout its history. Local officials warned of continued flood risks and high bacteria levels typical after flood events, and recommended that the public avoid the water until conditions stabilize.
Experts say that the health of Texas reservoirs like Lake Travis depends on both weather patterns and conservation, as well as human factors like population growth and increasing water usage. The 2025 flood's impact is expected to restore short-term stability but illustrates the ongoing vulnerability of the state's water infrastructure to environmental extremes.
What People Are Saying
The LCRA spokesperson told Newsweek: "Levels in Lake Travis later this summer will depend on a combination of heat and wind, water usage in Central Texas and if/where we see continued rainfall in watershed."
LCRA Executive Vice President of Water John Hofmann said in a press release about recreation at the lake after the floods: "Conditions for boating are better than they were a few days ago, but still require extra caution. Our crews have located and replaced most of the missing marker buoys damaged or displaced by the floods, but boaters still need to be extremely careful to avoid flood debris."
What Happens Next
Lake Travis water levels continue to rise as floodwaters move through the system. By mid-week Texas will see a respite from the heavy rain as high heat and humidity moves into the region, which could slow the lake's improvement or reverse its course.