Lake Travis’ water levels have steadily increased for nearly a month straight following the devastating Texas floods, but the levels began to dip again on Monday morning.
Why It Matters
Lake Travis, which is near Austin, Texas, is at its highest point in at least five years. Years of drought depleted the popular lake’s water levels, which at times reached such low points that they exposed objects usually hidden underwater, such as an old concrete plant and pecan groves. Although the lake’s increase is positive news for Texas’s water situation, it comes as a result of catastrophic floods that killed more than 100 people over the July 4th weekend.
The flooded rivers have since receded, having supplemented area lakes, including Lake Travis and Buchanan Lake, among others. Now, lake levels are starting to fall in some areas as the influx of water has ceased.
A stock photo shows boats on Lake Travis. A stock photo shows boats on Lake Travis. Ryan Conine/Getty
What to Know
As of the most recent data from Water Data for Texas, Lake Travis’ water levels were at 675.27 feet, or 90.4 percent full, as of Monday. The lake reaches full capacity when its levels hit 681 feet. On Sunday, the lake was at 675.34 feet, or 90.5 percent full.
The lake’s rate of increase has been slowing after it exhibited a significant 17-foot leap in the span of 24 hours earlier this month. The lake continued to rise after that first jump, gaining a total of roughly 27 feet.
Before the devastating floods inundated Central Texas, Lake Travis was 43 percent full.
Earlier this month, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), which manages Lake Travis and the other Highland Lakes, urged boaters and other recreators to use extreme caution while visiting the lakes. The surge of water came with debris flow and also raised bacteria levels in the lake.
Newsweek reached out to the LCRA by email for comment.
The most recent update from the LCRA was issued on July 24, in which lake officials continued to stress the need for caution while visiting the Highland Lakes, which include Lake Travis.
Although the presence of debris following the floods has decreased, LCRA urges people to avoid visiting the lakes at night, as this raises their chances of coming into contact with the debris. The press release also stressed the possibility that bacteria might still be present.
What People Are Saying
An LCRA spokesperson previously 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: “There is always a chance of encountering bacteria in lakes, including the Highland Lakes, and that chance significantly increases in the weeks after a flood. If the water is cloudy or murky, swim somewhere else. If there is debris in the area, go somewhere else. And if the water is stagnant, keep going. Find a place with clear water before you think seriously about going swimming.”
What Happens Next
Since the influx of water has stopped, Lake Travis’ water levels will likely continue to decline throughout the summer as local water usage and high temperatures are expected. However, levels could continue to rise in some instances if more heavy rain events occur.
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