LCRA

When your yard starts crying at the curb, cycle and soak can help. 💙

During intense summer heat, dry or compacted soil may not be able to absorb a long, continuous watering cycle fast enough. That means more water can run off into the street instead of reaching your lawn’s roots.

Instead of running your sprinklers for one long stretch, break that time into shorter watering cycles with a 30-60 minute pause in between. That gives the water time to soak into the soil instead of running down the curb. Less runoff waste, more water where your lawn can actually use it.

It's time to change how you water.💧

More info: https://www.lcra.org/download/preventing-runoff-with-cycle-and-soak-irrigation/?wpdmdl=29533

Why is the Lake Austin drawdown happening in fall instead of winter?

Historically, lake drawdowns took place in the winter. But after Winter Storm Uri in 2021, we changed that approach to help ensure hydroelectric generators at dams along the Highland Lakes are fully available during the cold winter months.

During extreme winter weather, electricity demand can rise dramatically and other power sources can be affected. Keeping the lakes at normal operating levels helps ensure LCRA can generate hydropower if needed to support grid reliability - helping keep power available for Texas homes, businesses and essential services.

That’s why planned lake drawdowns now take place in the fall.

At the request of the City of Austin, we will draw down Lake Austin from Oct. 12 through Nov. 30, 2026, to allow shoreline property owners and City departments to perform needed maintenance.

Ready for any terrain🛻

With the help from an LCRA community grant, Matagorda County added two all-purpose ATVs to support emergency response, search and rescue missions, beach patrol and public works projects. These new vehicles help crews reach more areas and better serve the community when needed most.

PLANNED LAKE LOWERING ALERT
At the City of Austin Government's request, LCRA plans to temporarily lower Lake Austin this fall to give property owners time to repair shoreline structures, dredge boat slips, remove debris and manage nuisance vegetation.

📅 Starting Oct. 12 the lake will be lowered up to 1 foot per day - up to 10 feet total
🚤 The City plans to close public boat ramps along Lake Austin and prohibit swimming at Emma Long Metropolitan Park during the drawdown
💧 LCRA plans to refill the lake Nov. 24-30

More info: https://www.lcra.org/news/news-releases/city-of-austin-and-lcra-announce-planned-lake-austin-drawdown-this-fall/

Equipped to protect the community🚒

With the help from an LCRA community grant, the Fredericksburg Volunteer Fire Department built a rainwater collection system to provide a reliable water source for fighting fires and other emergencies. The project helps conserve the city’s potable water supply while supporting the firefighters who protect the community.

Fredericksburg Fire EMS

November 2026 projections are here! 🌊 Recent rainfall has our lakes running full, and here's what could happen next:

Lake Travis ranges from 669-680 feet | Lake Buchanan ranges from 1017-1020 feet

Our reservoirs are designed to rise and fall - they work hard to meet our communities' water needs and manage flooding. Using 75+ years of weather data, these projections show realistic scenarios from where we stand today. See the full 6-month outlook: https://www.lcra.org/water/highland-lakes-overview/