Reduced lake levels are caused by decreased rainfall, National Weather Service data shows. Rainfall readings taken at Mans eld Dam show 2022 was the worst year for rainfall on record. All-time lows
B. Johnson, Marble Falls, Travis and Austin, the series of reservoirs receiving water from the Colorado River and its tributaries, rainfall and groundwater ows provide drinking water to more than 2.5 million people in Central Texas as well as irrigation for ranch and farm operations. The lake system has been designed to weather periods of drought and ood since its creation in the 1940s, providing a reservoir for local entities to draw from, and is intended to uctuate in this manner, according to the LCRA website. Due to consumer usage and ongoing drought conditions, the LCRA announced in March that some agricultural customers are cut off from receiving water from the Highland Lakes system. The authority’s state-approved water management plan allows for interruptible customers, who purchase water at a lower rate with the knowledge that water can be cut off or reduced due to drought conditions. John Hofmann, LCRA executive vice president of water, stated in a release that while the lake system contains enough drinking water to serve rm customers—who purchase water that will be available even in times of drought—all LCRA customers should work to conserve water. The water authority remains in the rst stage of its drought contingency plan, which went into e ect in July 2022, when the combined storage of water in lakes Buchanan and Travis reached 1.2 million acre-feet, requiring rm customers, which are mostly municipalities and utility districts, to decrease usage by 5%. Should the combined storage fall below 900,000 acre-feet, the LCRA will move into stage two of its plan and will ask rm customers to reduce usage by 10%-20%. Without
Monthly rainfall averages for Austin area
The Central Texas area has seen reduced rainfall, as drought conditions persisted for much of 2022, according to NWS data.
14.64 in.
15
11.53 in.
10
7.59 in.
2.93 in.
5
0
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
NOTE: AS OF APRIL 28
was one of the worst years on record for in ow with 2023 shaping up in a similar way. Low flow
The Highland Lakes system has multiple entry points for water in its system, inclusive of rainfall. 2022
Monthly In ow to Highland Lakes
The 2018 Llano River ooding contributed to some of the highest in ows to the Highland Lakes system.
1.32M ft.
1.5M
300K 0 600K 900K 1.2M
579,225 ft.
112,697 ft.
8,444 ft.
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 20171 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
NOTE: AS OF APRIL 30
SOURCES: LOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY, NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COMMUNITY IMPACT
usage, which translates to fewer people on the lake, Adams said the lake’s low periods provide an opportunity for boat operators to become more familiar with the topography of the lake and enhance their skills. “If you’re gonna be reckless, you’re gonna be reckless, and you’re gonna run aground,” Adams said. “If you take the time to learn the lake, then you can run it at any level.”
improved sta estimates this low-water threshold could be reached this summer. in ows, LCRA Hamilton attributed upticks in usage to the increased population as well as increases in upstream irrigation. She said smaller ranches divided from larger, older ranch operations are entitled to 200 acre- feet of water each if located on the river, and the owners of these ranches often created stock and vanity ponds. “The big ranchers of the past were very conservative with water,” Hamilton said. “They lived through
droughts and knew what it took to keep water owing.” Watercraft safety While low water levels may sound like alarm bells to those unfamiliar with boating on Lake Travis, Adams said the water is still safe for boating activities. “The people that actually have a marina really have a huge advantage because they have access to the lake when it has a decreased usage, which is actually a real pleasure,” Adams said. In addition to simply having less
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We are excited to welcome Dr. Andino to the Neurology team at ARC Four Points in August. Dr. Andino is a board - certified neurologist who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of MS services including: • Disease - modifying therapy • Comprehensive care • Infusion treatment • And more! Coming in August, specialized care for multiple sclerosis
Diana N. Andino, MD Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis
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LAKE TRAVIS WESTLAKE EDITION • MAY 2023
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