Latest news with #LakeTravis
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Texans shaken as thousands of fire ants seen forming rafts on river using their bodies
This army is in formation. Thousands of fire ants have been spotted floating on floodwaters through the Texas city and forming rafts using their bodies with residents now reporting the gross behavior. KXAN Austin took to X to post a video taken by Austinite David Todd of the little critters, seen nestled into a large cluster in the waters of Lake Travis. X users weighed in on the scary sight. 'A floating ball of pure hate,' one observed. 'I've done more than seen them. I've run into them at night wading out to the ramp on my dock when the lake is rapidly rising,' another wrote. 'Sucks.' 'Bring out the torch,' someone else suggested. The pesky bugs, which can cause painful stings, are rife in Texas. But when their underground nests flood, they sink their teeth into each other, interlock their limbs and create rafts to stay alive. 'It's called a self-organizing or self-assembling process. And it's something only social insects do,' Ed LeBrun, a research scientist at the University of Texas' Brackenridge Field Lab, told the outlet. 'There are a lot of other structures that ants make in a similar way. For example, army ants will make bridges across rivers.' Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
A massive raft of fire ants found on Lake Travis
AUSTIN (KXAN) — It might sound unbelievable, but viewers are sending in videos of fire ants floating on floodwaters, forming living rafts out of their own bodies. On Wednesday morning, a man shared video of one such raft drifting on Lake Travis. When their underground nests flood, fire ants link their legs and jaws together to create buoyant, self-assembled mounds. These floating colonies can contain thousands of ants — and they can still bite or sting if disturbed. These fire ant colonies can contain thousands of worker ants, and can still bite or sting those who interfere with the floating colony. Fire ants are widespread in Texas, and researchers at Texas A&M University are studying how they respond to flooding. The insects bite one another and interlock their limbs, forming tightly packed rafts that don't sink. Their waxy skin helps repel water and keep the group afloat. 'It's called a self-organizing or self-assembling process. And it's something only social insects do,' LeBrun said. A research scientist at the University of Texas' Brackenridge Field Lab in central Austin, LeBrun has researched ants for three decades. 'There are a lot of other structures that ants make in a similar way. For example, army ants will make bridges across rivers,' LeBrun said, but still, this raft is rare. Fire ants he believes are the only ants that do this. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Lake Travis closed to all uses except emergency response
AUSTIN (KXAN) — All recreational, commercial, and navigational uses of Lake Travis are currently banned as the impacts of flash floods that hit Central Texas over the July 4 weekend are still affecting the area. Travis County Judge Andy Brown issued an order Friday prohibiting the use of waterways in Lake Travis except for emergency response or official government purposes. Long-term road closures after flood damage This comes after the Lower Colorado River Authority issued a press release on July 6 recommending that people avoid being on lakes Buchanan, Inks, LBJ, Marble Falls, and Travis because of flood debris, bacteria, and fast flows. The LCRA posted on X about Brown's order Saturday morning. 'Late Friday, July 11, Travis County Judge Andy Brown closed Lake Travis to all recreational, commercial and navigational uses other than emergency responders or representatives of state or local agencies that access Lake Travis,' the post said. Brown issued the order Friday evening after consulting with the LCRA on 'present hazards within Lake Travis.' The order said the conditions in the lake create a public safety hazard. A look at Travis County's flood response after claims of inaction 'The Travis County Judge has determined from information provided by emergency management personnel that the above conditions set forth in his Declaration of Disaster continue to exist and pose a threat of severe damage. injury or loss of life or property, and persons within Travis County have been and continue to be severely impacted by the severe weather and flooding,' the order stated, in part. It's not clear when the lake will be reopened. The order also advises people in Travis County not to travel on roads with 'substantial damage due to the flooding, that could threaten public safety unless necessary.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Texas flooding: How has recent rain affected local lake, creek levels?
The Brief Lake Travis has risen by 21 feet after recent rain this past weekend, but is still under the average for this time of year Lake Buchanan is up nearly 10 feet AUSTIN, Texas - FOX 7 Austin has taken a look into the local levels at a couple of lakes and creeks since the Fourth of July floods. According to the Lower Colorado River Authority, Lake Travis has risen more than 21 feet since the morning of Friday, July 4. However, it is still nearly seven feet under the average for this time of year, which goes to show just how severe a drought we have been in. Then, Lake Buchanan is up nearly 10 feet. It is projected to go up another foot or so in the next few days. The recent rain added enough water to bring the lake up to its normal levels. Sandy Creek was up roughly three feet on the Fourth of July from where it was on July 1. But it has since dropped back down. Cow Creek near Lago Vista has increased its levels by 16 feet on Saturday, July 5, around 4 a.m. Once it reached its peak, it jumped about eight feet an hour starting at 11:30 p.m. on Friday, July 4. Creeks are measured by flow and stage, whereas lakes are by levels. The Source Information from reporting by FOX 7 Austin's Katie Pratt
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Boat ramp closures not stopping some businesses on Lake Travis
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Memorial Day weekend is here and that means the lakes and rivers across Central Texas will be busy. While many boat ramps are open across Central Texas, the low water levels have on Lake Travis have closed many down. MAP: Which public boat ramps are open and closed in Central Texas? Austin and Angel Edwards have operated Austin's Boat Tours for many years on Lake Travis, so they are used to the water levels being low. 'That's why we have to move the marinas up and down,' Austin said. Lake Travis is currently about 41% full, according to the Texas Water Development Board. CHARTS: How full are Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan? 'It looks a lot different when it's full, it really does,' Austin said. Over the years, KXAN has reported on some businesses being negatively impacted by the low water levels on Lake Travis. But the Edwardses continue to do business. 'Our boats are already in the water so we have no problem whatsoever,' Angel said. They are now opening their boat ramp to small boats, jet skis and kayakers for a small fee. 'They don't have any other choices, Angel said. 'If we can make a family with a small boat or a couple of jet skis or a bass fisherman able to get on Lake Travis, we decided, 'Let's do it.'' Edwards Aquifer Authority declares Stage 5 drought restrictions As for Memorial Day Weekend, Austin's Boat Rental is almost completely booked for rentals. Angel Edwards says she wants people to know that even with the low water levels, there are businesses just like hers that are still operating. For more information about Austin's Boat Tours, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
