BUSINESS Low Lake Travis water levels are impacting businesses, residents
BY TAYLOR CRIPE
Coalition after the 2011 drought 10 years ago. The report shows that Lake Travis is a signi cant economic engine, and when it is low, it costs state and local governments $207.2 million in lost revenue and $1.7 million in lost sales tax revenue annually. In addition, the report also said when lake levels remain below 660 feet, there are 350,000-375,000 fewer Travis County park visits, which can result in up to 29 lost jobs for each 10% drop in park visits. Since the most recent study on the consequences of low water levels was done over 10 years ago, there is a real need to conduct a new survey on the impact to Lake Travis businesses, said Landria Page, a member of the Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce, said in an email. In addition to repercussions to the business and nancial sector, Schultz said there is an issue of safety. The Lighthouse Restaurant & Lounge, an American and Mexican restaurant near Briarcli , had a 75%-80% reduction in boat tra c coming to the restaurant this season, she said. “The water was so low the boats just couldn’t get into the cove,” Schultz said. In mid-October 2021, Lake Travis was approximately 72.5% full. One year later, the lake is about 46.6% full, according to the Lower Colorado River Authority. The LCRA manages the Highland Lakes system, com- prised of several local lakes includ- ing Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan, which act as water reservoirs and provide water to the area’s utilities. “We have good years and bad years, droughts in some and not in others,” Schultz said. In addition to the e ect on prop- erty values, taxes, schools and local government, Schultz said she does not want to see more businesses closing. “In the last 10-12 years, we’ve lost ve or six businesses because of low water levels,” she said. “We can’t control mother nature, but we can work with groups like CTWC to plan for the future.”
Drought conditions and low water levels in Lake Travis continue to a ect business owners and residents who live and work in this area, and this is especially true for those in the lake’s inlet near Hudson Bend, several residents said. “I’ve lived in the area for 27 years,” said Karen Shultz, executive director for the Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce. “I can tell you that it’s progressively getting worse.” Compared to previous years, this has been the worst year-to-date in ow year ever recorded, according to the Central Texas Water Coalition. Records date back to 1942, when water in ow to the lake averaged around 65.79 billion gallons during peak months in late spring. In May 2022, the water in ow into Lake Travis was approximately 2.1 billion gallons, according to the CTWC. “I know rsthand that tourism is a ected by this,” Shultz said. “Even 15-20 years ago, we would have major tra c around our roadways from Thursday to Sunday evening as people went back and forth from the lake with their boats. Today, even with more people moving to Austin, the tra c is comparatively low.” For businesses, this can a ect people’s livelihood and wages. Montina Beach on Lake Travis is a small bed and breakfast on the north side of Hudson Bend by Hudson Harbor. The property is owned by Phyllis Lacey. According to Lacey’s team, business for the summer and fall season was noticeably slower than last year’s busy season. The biggest impact has been on marina owners and managers who are having to jump through major hoops to keep the marinas usable, said Kayla Remillard, the o ce man- ager of Keep Austin Wet in Hudson Bend. Remillard said the rental shop has had to cancel pickups due to sections of the lake being too narrow to navigate safely. Low lake levels decrease visitors and value and can impact gov- ernment revenue substantially, according to an economic impact report conducted by the Lake Travis
Water levels in Lake Travis remain low as water owing into the lake is at an all-time low compared to previous years on record.
TAYLOR CRIPE COMMUNITY IMPACT
EFFECTS OFTHE DROUGHT
There are three primary areas a ected when water levels in Lake Travis remain low for a signi cant period of time. These include: Reduced property values and associated tax revenues for schools and local governments Lost jobs and loss of revenue for businesses
Signi cant increase in re risk due to low water accessibility
SOURCE: CENTRAL TEXAS WATER COALITION COMMUNITY IMPACT
Current average KEY Historical average
HOW FULL IS THE LAKE? Drought conditions continue to a ect the water levels in Lake Travis. Data shows the lake steadily decreasing in volume over the last six months.
640 650 660 670 680 0
SOURCE: TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD COMMUNITY IMPACT May 2022 June 2022
Aug. 2022 July 2022 Sept. 2022 Oct. 2022
THE FINANCIAL IMPACT Low lake levels decrease visitors and value, a report by the Lake Travis Coalition after the 2011 drought showed. When levels are low, governments could lose up to:
LOWEST INFLOW ON RECORD Data shows 2022 has been the worst year for water owing into Lake Travis ever recorded. Here are the 10 worst years on record for in ows.
in total scal revenue $21.9M
2022* 14.4 BG 2014 17.39 BG 2013 22.59 BG 2011 22.84 BG 1984 25.08 BG 2000 27.74 BG 2018 28.94 BG 1971 30.86 BG 1996 33.82 BG 1963 42.8 BG
BG = billion gallons
lost sales tax revenue $1.7M
from decreased hotel receipts $45K
from less visitors ordering mixed drinks $120K
SOURCE: CENTRAL TEXAS WATER COALITION COMMUNITY IMPACT *AS OF OCT. 25
SOURCE: LAKE TRAVIS COALITION COMMUNITY IMPACT
27
LAKE TRAVIS WESTLAKE EDITION • NOVEMBER 2022
Powered by FlippingBook