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Newsweek
2 days ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Texas Reservoir Map Shows How Water Levels Compare After Floods
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Many reservoirs and lakes in Central and Eastern Texas are near capacity two weeks after floods inundated the region over the Fourth of July weekend, state data shows. Newsweek reached out to the Texas Water Development Board (TWBD) by email for comment. Why It Matters The Lone Star State has battled years of drought that have seen many of its popular reservoirs' water levels plunge to dangerously low levels. In 2023, water levels at Lake Travis became so low they revealed previously hidden pecan groves and a concrete plant. Over Independence Day weekend, torrential rain battered Central Texas, prompting the swift and significant rise of area rivers that brought floods throughout the region that ultimately killed more than 100 people. Nearly two weeks later, the water has worked its way into area lakes and reservoirs across the region. Canyon Lake is seen in Texas Hill Country. Canyon Lake is seen in Texas Hill Country. Jacqueline Cooper/Getty What To Know As of Friday, Texas reservoirs are 80.5 percent full statewide. A map from Water Data for Texas shows dozens of reservoirs across the state and their current water levels. Some of these bodies of water usually hover near or at full capacity, such as Whitney Lake and Grapevine Lake, both of which have not dipped below 99 percent full in the past year. Others, however, have exhibited a significant recovery over the past month. For example, Brady Creek Reservoir in McCulloch County was only 30 percent full a month ago. Now, the reservoir is 100 percent full. Much larger reservoirs, like Lake Buchanan and Lake Travis, also have undergone significant recovery. Lake Buchanan reached full capacity this week, prompting Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) officials to open the floodgates at Buchanan Dam for the first time since 2019 to release water from the reservoir. A month ago, Lake Buchanan was only at 61 percent capacity. Lake Travis water levels have surged 36 feet since July 4, putting the lake at around 88 percent capacity, the highest it's been since spring of 2020. The lake is expected to continue rising to 675 feet over the next few days, an LCRA spokesperson told Newsweek, putting it only 6 feet below full capacity. Despite the vast improvement in reservoirs across the central and eastern parts of the state, reservoirs in Northern and Southern Texas remain parched. Water Data for Texas shows Palo Duro Reservoir in far northern Texas is only 1.2 percent full. Medina Lake west of San Antonio is only 6 percent full, although the level is improved over this time last year, when it was only 2.2 percent full. What People Are Saying A Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) spokesperson told Newsweek: "Levels in Lake Buchanan, one of two water supply reservoirs in the Highland Lakes, will vary depending on a number of factors, including rainfall, evaporation levels and water use by LCRA water customers." CBS Austin meteorologist Avery Tomasco in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday: "Texas droughts end in Texas floods. Two months ago -> today. Our ~5 year drought has been almost entirely erased." Texas droughts end in Texas floods. Two months ago -> today. Our ~5 year drought has been almost entirely erased #atxwx #txwx — Avery Tomasco (@averytomascowx) July 17, 2025 What Happens Next? Some reservoirs in Texas are expected to continue rising as water releases, such as that from Lake Buchanan, flows downstream. Others, however, are more dependent on factors such as the weather and water usage throughout the summer.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Texas Reservoir Fills to Levels Not Seen in 20 Years
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Excessive rainfall this month has eliminated much of the drought across Texas, with some lakes jumping more than 30 feet in less than two weeks. Among the lakes witnessing a significant rise is Lake Buchanan, a popular reservoir in Central Texas. Why It Matters Texas has battled years of drought that have seen many of its popular reservoirs' water levels plunge to dangerously low levels. For example, in 2023, water levels at Lake Travis became so low they revealed previously hidden pecan groves and a concrete plant. Lake Buchanan has seen similarly volatile water levels in recent years. A year ago, the levels were 73 percent full. As of the most recent measurements, levels were 99.8 percent full, according to Water Data for Texas, which is considered full capacity for the lake. A photo shows Lake Buchanan in Central Texas. A photo shows Lake Buchanan in Central Texas. Ryan Conine/Getty What to Know Over Independence Day weekend, torrential rain battered Central Texas, prompting the swift and significant rise of area rivers that brought deadly floods throughout the region. More than 100 people died. Nearly two weeks later, the water has worked its way into area lakes and reservoirs. Water levels at Lake Travis continue to rise, and Lake Buchanan was recently considered full when its levels hit 1,020 feet. Although Lake Buchanan was considered full in 2019 when its levels hit 1,018 feet, the reservoir hasn't hit the 1,020-foot level since March 2005, KXAN reported. The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), which manages Lake Buchanan, opened the floodgates at Buchanan Dam to let out some of the water earlier this week. "Unlike Lake Travis, Lake Buchanan has no room to store floodwaters after it is full. LCRA manages Lake Buchanan to a maximum level of 1,020 feet above mean sea level," an LCRA report on flood management said. The floodgates were closed on Wednesday afternoon, an LCRA spokesperson told Newsweek. "Floodwater from Lake Buchanan was sent downstream through the series of dams on the Highland Lakes to Lake Travis, the only lake on the Highland Lakes with room to store floodwaters," the spokesperson said. "Our short-term projections are that Lake Travis will rise up to 675 feet above mean sea level over the next several days. As of 3:40 pm Central Time today Lake Travis is at 673.79 ft msl, or 88% full." What People Are Saying An LCRA spokesperson previously told Newsweek: "We have seen similar relatively large increases in the history of Lake Travis, which is in Flash Flood Alley." LCRA posted on X, formerly Twitter, earlier this week: "Floodgate operations from Lake Buchanan today. LCRA opened a total of four floodgates at Buchanan Dam on July 14 – the first floodgate operations there since May 2019. This coordinated response helps manage significant water inflows across the Highland Lakes system." CBS Austin reporter Bettie Cross posted on X: "Lake Buchanan hasn't looked like this in 15 years. It's 100% full. The LCRA is preparing to open 2 floodgates this afternoon. It will be the first time the @LCRA has opened a floodgate at Buchanan Dam since 2019." What Happens Next Water levels at Texas lakes and reservoirs will change throughout the summer depending on heat, water usage, and if there's continued rainfall in the region.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Buchanan Dam Floodgates Open For First Time Since 2019 As Central Texas Lakes Swell
With a reminder of just how much rain Central Texas has received this month, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) opened floodgates at the Buchanan Dam on Monday, marking the first time this has happened since 2019. The LCRA opened up the gates as scheduled, after lakes across the Highland Lakes chain have surged toward capacity, forcing officials to manage rising water levels and inflows from ongoing storms. In an X post published on Monday afternoon, photos from the LCRA show the opened floodgates at Buchanan Dam, allowing excess water to be sent downstream into Inks Lake. Meanwhile, the Wirtz Dam currently has one floodgate open, with another set to follow soon, and the Starcke Dam already has multiple gates open. Because Inks Dam doesn't have floodgates, water there was spilling directly over its concrete lip before flowing into Lake LBJ, Marble Falls, and eventually Lake Travis. Lake Buchanan is now nearly full at 97% capacity, while Lake Travis has climbed more than 29 feet in recent days to reach about 78% capacity. Projections from the LCRA show that both lakes could continue to rise by several feet over the next day if rain persists. 'We Texans love being on the lakes during the summer, but this is not the time and not the place,' said John Hofmann, LCRA executive vice president. 'There continue to be significant flood flows throughout the Highland Lakes, and we strongly advise everyone to stay off the lakes for the next few days.' Alongside powerful currents, debris from recent flooding and higher-than-normal bacteria levels have made conditions even more hazardous for boaters and swimmers in the area. In response, local authorities have closed certain lake areas to recreational use. The City of Marble Falls has temporarily shut down Lake Marble Falls, and Travis County has prohibited recreation on parts of Lake Travis upstream of Mile Marker 36, near Sandy Creek Park. Officials are also now urging residents to monitor lake level updates and floodgate operations in the days ahead, as more gates may be opened if rain continues to pour into the watershed. Real-time lake information and flood updates are available at where the public can also sign up for direct alerts on changing water conditions. For now, officials say patience is key. 'The best and safest course of action is to avoid being in the lakes until things settle down in a few days,' Hofmann added.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Texas Drought Update As Popular Lake Hits Highest Level Since 2020
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Repeated bouts of torrential rainfall have eliminated much of the drought that plagued Texas earlier this year. The heavy rain caused river levels to surge, which then funneled water into Texas reservoirs, including Lake Travis, a major reservoir near Austin. Lake Travis experienced a sharp rise in water levels following deadly floods over the July 4 weekend and has now hit its highest level since June 2020. "We have seen similar relatively large increases in the history of Lake Travis, which is in Flash Flood Alley," a spokesperson for the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), which manages the lake, told Newsweek. Why It Matters The dramatic turnaround in Lake Travis' water levels underscores the volatility of Texas' climate, where extreme drought can rapidly give way to destructive flooding. Prior to the rain, Lake Travis was only 43 percent of its capacity. At times over the past few years, water levels fell so low they exposed objects usually hidden underwater, such as an old concrete plant and pecan groves. An aerial view of Lake Travis. An aerial view of Lake Travis. RoschetzkylstockPhoto/Getty The recent floods, with some areas receiving more than 20 inches of rain, not only revived water levels but also led to deadly consequences and hazardous conditions for local communities. More than 100 people were killed, including 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic in Kerr County. Water officials stressed that sudden surges in lake levels are not unusual in the region, nicknamed "Flash Flood Alley" for its exposure to intense, rapid storm events. What to Know As of the most recent measurements from the U.S. Drought Monitor, roughly 23 percent of Texas was facing moderate drought conditions or worse. A map of the drought showed that it was concentrated in the southwest part of the state. The state's drought is much improved compared to three months ago, when the more than 58 percent of the state battled moderate drought conditions or worse. Lake Travis, part of the Highland Lakes system, has faced severe water shortages for years amid persistent droughts. These drought conditions were interrupted by sporadic heavy rains in 2024, but the relief was short-lived as dry conditions soon returned. Water loss due to evaporation also remained a major challenge. The deadly floods over the July 4 holiday marked a dramatic reversal for Lake Travis' water levels. In just days, the lake rose from 43 percent to 81 percent of its total capacity according to Water Data for Texas. As of Tuesday morning, the lake was at 670 feet, around 10 feet below its full capacity. It's the highest the lake has been since June 2020. Before the July 4 weekend, the water level was at just under 640 feet. The reservoir is prone to sudden rises and falls, with significant jumps in water levels documented throughout its history. Local officials warned of continued flood risks and high bacteria levels typical after flood events, and recommended that the public avoid the water until conditions stabilize. Experts say that the health of Texas reservoirs like Lake Travis depends on both weather patterns and conservation, as well as human factors like population growth and increasing water usage. The 2025 flood's impact is expected to restore short-term stability but illustrates the ongoing vulnerability of the state's water infrastructure to environmental extremes. What People Are Saying The LCRA spokesperson 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 about recreation at the lake after the floods: "Conditions for boating are better than they were a few days ago, but still require extra caution. Our crews have located and replaced most of the missing marker buoys damaged or displaced by the floods, but boaters still need to be extremely careful to avoid flood debris." What Happens Next Lake Travis water levels continue to rise as floodwaters move through the system. By mid-week Texas will see a respite from the heavy rain as high heat and humidity moves into the region, which could slow the lake's improvement or reverse its course.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Floods force Buchanan Dam to open flood gates for first time in years
BURNET COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — One of the most important lakes in Central Texas is overflowing, forcing the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) to open its flood gates for the first time in six years. On Monday, July 14, the LCRA announced that at least two flood gates at Buchanan Dam will open to prevent water from topping over the spillway. Buchanan Dam separates Lake Buchanan from Inks Lake. According to the LCRA, water will flow into Inks Lake. Inks Dam does not have flood gates and water is expected to flow over its spillway into Lake LBJ. The last time Buchanan Dam opened its flood gates was in 2019. Water from Lake Buchanan flows downstream and eventually ends in Lake Travis. That lake has returned to its average level of 666 feet for the first time in four years. Lake Buchanan is 96% full. No floodgates at Mansfield Dam, which separates Lake Travis and Lake Austin, are expected to open. Lake Travis can hold another 15 feet of water before it is considered full. Lake Travis largely reopens, caution still advised According to KXAN's Jim Spencer, the 'Sometimes Islands', small landmasses that appear when Lake Travis is low, could soon vanish beneath the waves. The islands submerge when the lake reaches 670 feet full. This is the first time Lake Travis has been this full since July 4, 2020. Currently, recreational watercraft are banned on Lake Travis as a result of recent floods. The LCRA is asking watercraft on the other Highland Lakes to navigate with extra caution due to possible debris in the water. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
