LCRA crews work to keep Buchanan Dam safe by installing a grounding cable to protect against lightning strikes. This is one of three steps to install fail-safes known as stop logs. Stop logs are additional flood gates placed in front of the existing 37 flood gates. These extra gates will protect the dam and allow for maintenance to be performed on the existing gates.

Get to know Colorado County, one of the oldest counties in Texas, dating back to the Republic of Texas, and named for the Colorado River. About 100 miles southeast of Austin, Colorado County is one of 11 counties on the Colorado River Trail, a 600-mile stretch of the lower Colorado River in Texas between San Saba and Matagorda counties. Read more.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s executive director has recommended approval of LCRA’s proposed Water Management Plan for lakes Travis and Buchanan. LCRA is publishing notice of the proposed plan in area newspapers. After publication, the public will have 30 days to comment on the new plan that determines how water is allocated from the lower Colorado River basin’s two major water reservoirs. The proposed plan is more flexible than the current plan and offers more protection to municipal and industrial customers throughout the basin during a drought. Read more.

The LCRA Board of Directors on Wednesday approved a Business Plan for fiscal year 2014 that reduces expenses and continues the push to add 100,000 acre-feet of new water to the region’s supplies by 2017. LCRA in FY 2013 set two simple goals – save money and find water. Those goals remain in place for 2014. Read the news release and see the plans.

With the return of spring weather, Highland Lakes residents are likely to turn their attention to their lawns and landscaping. LCRA wants lakeside homeowners to remember they must have a contract to legally pump water from the Highland Lakes. Read the news release.

From April 11 to the end of May, LCRA will be releasing water from the Highland Lakes for the blue sucker, a large river fish considered threatened by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. LCRA is required to meet certain flow levels during the blue sucker’s spawning season. When possible, LCRA will take advantage of the natural flow in the river and water released for downstream customers to minimize the amount of water that needs to be released from the Highland Lakes to meet this requirement. Read more.

At McKinney Roughs, kids 6 and older can enjoy games, swimming, a zip line, native animals, rock-wall climbing, hikes and more. They won’t even know that they are getting outdoor education woven into the fun. The 1,100 acres of pines, prairies and meadows will be their playground at McKinney Roughs Nature Park with eight themed camp sessions offered from June 17 through Aug. 16. Shuttle service will be available from Austin and extended care will be available during select weeks. Click here for more information or to register.

LCRA’s parks reservation system has changed to allow visitors to reserve specific sites at six LCRA parks. Visitors can view online pictures before choosing a campsite or cabin at Black Rock Park, Oak Thicket Park, Park Prairie Park, Matagorda Bay Nature Park, and Lake Bastrop’s North Shore and South Shore parks. Make reservations or learn more about what those parks have to offer.