AUSTIN, Texas — Lake Travis reached full capacity for the first time in years after flooding over the last several days, but elevated water levels have also brought elevated risks — including debris and changing river flows that prompted officials to limit recreation in parts of the area.
On Saturday, visitors at Mansfield Dam Park could be seen taking in views of the lake and fishing, but the boat ramp was closed to boaters.
John Hofmann, executive vice president of water for the Lower Colorado River Authority, said people need to be aware conditions can change.
“The first thing they need to keep in mind is there’s going to be flows depending upon where they are in the river system,” Hofmann said.
Hofmann said Lake Travis is “seeing the result of the flooding that we’ve had over the last three or four days,” with floodwaters pooling in the lake. He described the flood pool as a critical buffer for communities downstream.
“That flood pool at Lake Travis is our insurance policy for Austin and downstream,” Hofmann said.
The rising water and debris have also kept some residents off the lake.
“We’re not taking out our boat right now because of all the debris and all the logs that we’ve seen coming down the Perdenales and everything,” said Lago Vista resident Ben Bailey. “We’re going to stay away from the lake for a little while.”
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Saturday, Travis County Judge Andy Brown issued an order limiting the recreational use of the Pedernales River and Lake Travis between mile markers 27 to 37, citing debris from recent flooding posing public health and safety hazards. Brown said the ban does not apply to commercial operators, and he urged caution for people enjoying other stretches of the Pedernales and Lake Travis.
Recent flooding has caused debris and hazards to collect along the Pedernales River and throughout Lake Travis. Because of this threat, it was imperative for Travis County to limit use of Lake Travis between mile marker 27 to 37,” said Travis County Judge Andy Brown. “I encourage the commercial operators to use extreme caution when navigating through that designated area. I encourage the public to exercise caution as you enjoy boating and swimming in the rest of the lake
Hofmann also urged people to be cautious.
“They need to be very mindful of their safety,” he said.
Gov. Greg Abbott echoed the warning Friday, saying, “Residents and leaders need to understand the rivers will still rise and still pose life-threatening danger to anybody near those rivers.”
Even with the hazards, Hofmann said the recent rains and flooding play an important role in Central Texas water supplies.
“This is how in Central Texas our water supplies are replenished,” he said.
The LCRA announced it will open one floodgate at Buchanan Dam Sunday. The dam serves as the uppermost dam in the Highland Lakes.