INKS LAKE – LCRA is reminding lakeside residents that it plans to lower Inks Lake in early January, and that Lakewide Permit packets will be available on Dec. 19 at two LCRA offices near Buchanan Dam.

LCRA plans to lower Inks Lake by nine feet at the request of its Inks Lake Advisory Panel. The lowering is scheduled to begin Jan. 9 and refill starting Feb. 15, barring emergencies. LCRA expects Inks Lake to be back at its usual operating level on or about Feb. 19.

Lakewide Permits, which cover dredging and structural repair and maintenance work along the shoreline, will be available to property owners at the LCRA Western District Complex office, 8347 RR 1431 West, and the Buchanan Dam Administration Offices, 322 Buchanan Drive.

For building new structures, such as retaining walls and slips, residents will need to apply to LCRA for an individual permit. Property owners planning new construction should contact Rachel Andrews at 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 3303, to begin the process.

LCRA officials caution that the drawdown schedule could change or be canceled if weather or power emergencies require LCRA to release water from Buchanan Dam upstream. In those cases, there may be little or no advance warning and workers should not leave equipment in the lake bed overnight.