Floodwaters still pose risk in Austin lakes
Why it matters: The Highland Lakes are a main source of water for Central Texas, and the July 4 floods moved debris and bacteria into popular recreational waterways.
Driving the news: The Lower Colorado River Authority, the nonprofit utility that manages the Highland Lakes and the river, urged visitors to use caution on the lakes through the rest of this week.
What they're saying:"Anyone who chooses to boat or swim in the lakes now needs to understand there is a risk of encountering flood debris and heightened bacteria levels, including E. coli," LCRA spokesperson Clara Tuma told Axios in an emailed statement Monday.
Catch up quick: LCRA opened floodgates at five of the six dams along the Highland Lakes — Buchanan, Inks, Wirtz, Starcke and Tom Miller — over the last two weeks to move storm runoff downstream and into Lake Travis.
Between the lines: Swimming remains safe in San Marcos and New Braunfels, according to Virginia Parker, the executive director of the San Marcos River Foundation.
Zoom in: Recent rains haven't resulted in drinking water quality changes, according to Austin Water spokesperson Martin Barbosa.
"Austin Water closely monitored recent rains and floods upstream, and our water treatment plants remained fully prepared," Barbosa said in an emailed statement. "During the recent weather conditions, there have been no issues with water pressure."
What's next: LCRA expects bacteria levels to normalize in the Highland Lakes by later this week, but urges caution in murky, stagnant or smelly areas.
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Axios
3 days ago
- Axios
Floodwaters still pose risk in Austin lakes
Swimmers and boaters should be cautious this week as floodwaters move through Austin waterways, but Austin Water officials say the area's drinking water remains safe. Why it matters: The Highland Lakes are a main source of water for Central Texas, and the July 4 floods moved debris and bacteria into popular recreational waterways. Driving the news: The Lower Colorado River Authority, the nonprofit utility that manages the Highland Lakes and the river, urged visitors to use caution on the lakes through the rest of this week. What they're saying:"Anyone who chooses to boat or swim in the lakes now needs to understand there is a risk of encountering flood debris and heightened bacteria levels, including E. coli," LCRA spokesperson Clara Tuma told Axios in an emailed statement Monday. Catch up quick: LCRA opened floodgates at five of the six dams along the Highland Lakes — Buchanan, Inks, Wirtz, Starcke and Tom Miller — over the last two weeks to move storm runoff downstream and into Lake Travis. Between the lines: Swimming remains safe in San Marcos and New Braunfels, according to Virginia Parker, the executive director of the San Marcos River Foundation. Zoom in: Recent rains haven't resulted in drinking water quality changes, according to Austin Water spokesperson Martin Barbosa. "Austin Water closely monitored recent rains and floods upstream, and our water treatment plants remained fully prepared," Barbosa said in an emailed statement. "During the recent weather conditions, there have been no issues with water pressure." What's next: LCRA expects bacteria levels to normalize in the Highland Lakes by later this week, but urges caution in murky, stagnant or smelly areas.
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Newsweek
Texas Reservoir Map Shows How Water Levels Compare After Floods
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Many reservoirs and lakes in Central and Eastern Texas are near capacity two weeks after floods inundated the region over the Fourth of July weekend, state data shows. Newsweek reached out to the Texas Water Development Board (TWBD) by email for comment. Why It Matters The Lone Star State has battled years of drought that have seen many of its popular reservoirs' water levels plunge to dangerously low levels. In 2023, water levels at Lake Travis became so low they revealed previously hidden pecan groves and a concrete plant. Over Independence Day weekend, torrential rain battered Central Texas, prompting the swift and significant rise of area rivers that brought floods throughout the region that ultimately killed more than 100 people. Nearly two weeks later, the water has worked its way into area lakes and reservoirs across the region. Canyon Lake is seen in Texas Hill Country. Canyon Lake is seen in Texas Hill Country. Jacqueline Cooper/Getty What To Know As of Friday, Texas reservoirs are 80.5 percent full statewide. A map from Water Data for Texas shows dozens of reservoirs across the state and their current water levels. Some of these bodies of water usually hover near or at full capacity, such as Whitney Lake and Grapevine Lake, both of which have not dipped below 99 percent full in the past year. Others, however, have exhibited a significant recovery over the past month. For example, Brady Creek Reservoir in McCulloch County was only 30 percent full a month ago. Now, the reservoir is 100 percent full. Much larger reservoirs, like Lake Buchanan and Lake Travis, also have undergone significant recovery. Lake Buchanan reached full capacity this week, prompting Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) officials to open the floodgates at Buchanan Dam for the first time since 2019 to release water from the reservoir. A month ago, Lake Buchanan was only at 61 percent capacity. Lake Travis water levels have surged 36 feet since July 4, putting the lake at around 88 percent capacity, the highest it's been since spring of 2020. The lake is expected to continue rising to 675 feet over the next few days, an LCRA spokesperson told Newsweek, putting it only 6 feet below full capacity. Despite the vast improvement in reservoirs across the central and eastern parts of the state, reservoirs in Northern and Southern Texas remain parched. Water Data for Texas shows Palo Duro Reservoir in far northern Texas is only 1.2 percent full. Medina Lake west of San Antonio is only 6 percent full, although the level is improved over this time last year, when it was only 2.2 percent full. What People Are Saying A Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) spokesperson told Newsweek: "Levels in Lake Buchanan, one of two water supply reservoirs in the Highland Lakes, will vary depending on a number of factors, including rainfall, evaporation levels and water use by LCRA water customers." CBS Austin meteorologist Avery Tomasco in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday: "Texas droughts end in Texas floods. Two months ago -> today. Our ~5 year drought has been almost entirely erased." Texas droughts end in Texas floods. Two months ago -> today. Our ~5 year drought has been almost entirely erased #atxwx #txwx — Avery Tomasco (@averytomascowx) July 17, 2025 What Happens Next? Some reservoirs in Texas are expected to continue rising as water releases, such as that from Lake Buchanan, flows downstream. Others, however, are more dependent on factors such as the weather and water usage throughout the summer.
Newsweek
17-07-2025
- Newsweek
Texas Reservoir Fills to Levels Not Seen in 20 Years
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Excessive rainfall this month has eliminated much of the drought across Texas, with some lakes jumping more than 30 feet in less than two weeks. Among the lakes witnessing a significant rise is Lake Buchanan, a popular reservoir in Central Texas. Why It Matters Texas has battled years of drought that have seen many of its popular reservoirs' water levels plunge to dangerously low levels. For example, in 2023, water levels at Lake Travis became so low they revealed previously hidden pecan groves and a concrete plant. Lake Buchanan has seen similarly volatile water levels in recent years. A year ago, the levels were 73 percent full. As of the most recent measurements, levels were 99.8 percent full, according to Water Data for Texas, which is considered full capacity for the lake. A photo shows Lake Buchanan in Central Texas. A photo shows Lake Buchanan in Central Texas. Ryan Conine/Getty What to Know Over Independence Day weekend, torrential rain battered Central Texas, prompting the swift and significant rise of area rivers that brought deadly floods throughout the region. More than 100 people died. Nearly two weeks later, the water has worked its way into area lakes and reservoirs. Water levels at Lake Travis continue to rise, and Lake Buchanan was recently considered full when its levels hit 1,020 feet. Although Lake Buchanan was considered full in 2019 when its levels hit 1,018 feet, the reservoir hasn't hit the 1,020-foot level since March 2005, KXAN reported. The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), which manages Lake Buchanan, opened the floodgates at Buchanan Dam to let out some of the water earlier this week. "Unlike Lake Travis, Lake Buchanan has no room to store floodwaters after it is full. LCRA manages Lake Buchanan to a maximum level of 1,020 feet above mean sea level," an LCRA report on flood management said. The floodgates were closed on Wednesday afternoon, an LCRA spokesperson told Newsweek. "Floodwater from Lake Buchanan was sent downstream through the series of dams on the Highland Lakes to Lake Travis, the only lake on the Highland Lakes with room to store floodwaters," the spokesperson said. "Our short-term projections are that Lake Travis will rise up to 675 feet above mean sea level over the next several days. As of 3:40 pm Central Time today Lake Travis is at 673.79 ft msl, or 88% full." What People Are Saying An LCRA spokesperson previously told Newsweek: "We have seen similar relatively large increases in the history of Lake Travis, which is in Flash Flood Alley." LCRA posted on X, formerly Twitter, earlier this week: "Floodgate operations from Lake Buchanan today. LCRA opened a total of four floodgates at Buchanan Dam on July 14 – the first floodgate operations there since May 2019. This coordinated response helps manage significant water inflows across the Highland Lakes system." CBS Austin reporter Bettie Cross posted on X: "Lake Buchanan hasn't looked like this in 15 years. It's 100% full. The LCRA is preparing to open 2 floodgates this afternoon. It will be the first time the @LCRA has opened a floodgate at Buchanan Dam since 2019." What Happens Next Water levels at Texas lakes and reservoirs will change throughout the summer depending on heat, water usage, and if there's continued rainfall in the region.
