Environment
BY ELLE BENT
Lake levels are higher than they were this time last year due to recent rainfall, but the Austin region is still in a drought, with experts urging conservation. Current situation Water from lakes Travis and Buchanan—part of the chain of Highland Lakes on the Colorado River— is sourced for drinking water and daily use in most of Hays, Travis and Williamson counties. As of July 15, both lakes combined are 54% full, according to the Lower Colorado River Authority, a public utility agency. In 2023, the lakes collectively dipped to 44% capacity in August, the lowest in a decade after the region endured record-breaking high heat and little rainfall. The last time the lakes were full was July 2019, meaning the region remains in a hydrologic drought due to the stressed the water supply. The United States Drought Monitor reports as of July 15 that the three counties are no longer in a meteorological drought, which is defined by how much rain an area has received and how dry soil is. This is not reflective of the effect long-term drought has on water supply reservoirs. “Thanks to rains in May, our water supplies are in better shape than they were a year ago, but lakes Buchanan and Travis are still not full,” said John Hofmann, LCRA executive vice president of water. “The lakes remain stressed from years of serious drought.” Rainfall boosts lake levels, but drought persists
Lake Travis water levels While Lake Travis water levels have slightly increased this summer, they are still lower than the historic average. Lake Buchanan water levels While Lake Buchanan water levels have increased this past summer, they are still lower than the historic average.
Lake Travis historic average*
Lake Travis current levels
620ft 600ft 0 640ft 660ft 680ft 700ft
2023
2024
Lake Buchanan historic average*
Lake Buchanan current levels
1,000ft 1,010ft 1,020ft
980ft 0 990ft
2023
2024
* HISTORIC AVERAGE: LAKE LEVELS EACH MONTH AVERAGED OVER TIME SINCE 1942
SOURCE: LOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
people will need access to water in the region. “We have to have a water supply to match the growth, and today we don’t have that,” said Shannon Hamilton, executive director of the Central Texas Water Coalition, a nonprofit that advocates for water preservation policies. Hamilton said the coalition supports making the trigger for drought levels more strict. Texas Water Utilities hydrogeologist Carly Peach said ways residents can conserve water use include xeriscaping, watering lawns in the early morning, running dishwashers or washing machines only when full and monitoring for leaks in irrigation systems. “All these really small, simple actions can add up,” Peach said.
Who it affects After rainfall affected the lakes earlier this summer, the LCRA loosened restrictions from Stage 2 to Stage 1 on June 3, allowing for twice-a-week outdoor watering and a request of a 10% reduction in water use. LCRA customers include cities and utility districts, which can mandate their own watering restrictions in compliance with Stage 1, meaning restrictions affecting residents vary by provider. For Austin Water customers, outdoor watering is restricted to once a week with a 15% reduction in water use. What residents should know As the Central Texas population grows, more
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