LCRA will operate the Highland Lakes under an updated Water Management Plan following the plan’s approval by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality last week. LCRA’s Water Management Plan guides water management of lakes Travis and Buchanan – particularly during droughts. The updated plan, known as the 2010 Water Management Plan, replaces the 1999 plan.

LCRA periodically updates its state-approved Water Management Plan to incorporate increasing water use among cities, businesses and industries and to improve its water management strategies. LCRA submitted a request to update the Water Management Plan to TCEQ in May 2003 following an extensive stakeholder process. A number of entities protested the plan, including the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, National Wildlife Federation and Sierra Club. These protests triggered a contested process that required years to resolve. LCRA recently reached agreement on outstanding issues with the protesting parties and submitted this agreement to TCEQ.

“Working with the diverse interests who rely on the lower Colorado River is one of LCRA’s most important roles as steward of the river,” said Tom Mason, LCRA general manager. “In light of the severe drought that our water supply reservoirs continue to recover from, it was important that the updated plan be in place for 2010. LCRA appreciates TCEQ’s approval of the plan.”

Under the 2010 plan, cutbacks of water supplies for interruptible agricultural customers would begin earlier during a drought than under the 1999 plan. These gradual cutbacks will begin when water supplies in lakes Buchanan and Travis are below 1.4 million acre-feet, rather than 1.1 million acre-feet under the 1999 plan. This change is needed to ensure enough water during droughts for basic needs of cities, businesses and industries that rely on the Colorado River. The updated plan also nearly doubles the amount of firm water dedicated for environmental needs of the lower Colorado River and Matagorda Bay.

LCRA will follow provisions in the 2010 plan to allocate water to its agricultural customers in the irrigation divisions this year. Based on water supply levels on Feb. 1, these customers will be limited to growing only a first crop of rice unless conditions improve. The growing season for the first crop typically runs from mid-March to mid-August. “Irrigation customers will receive enough water for their first crop of rice this year,” said Kyle Jensen, LCRA Water Operations manager. “Next week, LCRA will begin signing water contracts with about 350 farmers for first crop only. Between now and July, LCRA will evaluate whether water supply levels have improved so that water can be provided for a second crop of rice.”

The lower Colorado River basin continues to face the effects of a severe drought that is not over. On Feb. 4, water storage lakes, Travis and Buchanan, were nearly 70 percent full, holding about 1.38 million acre-feet. Rains since September 2009 have raised this level from the low point of 39 percent full last summer.

LCRA also has committed to begin the process for preparing the next update to the Water Management Plan by July 1, 2010. This process will include a stakeholder group and extensive technical analysis and will be completed within three years.