Lakes Travis and Buchanan hold much of the water used in the lower Colorado River basin. They are not actually lakes, but reservoirs formed on the Colorado River by the construction of dams. (Lake Travis is formed by Mansfield Dam; Lake Buchanan is formed by Buchanan Dam.) These two lakes capture and conserve floodwaters that quench our thirsts, float our boats, and water our crops through dry months.

It is possible for the levels of lakes Travis and Buchanan to dwindle down to their original river channel levels during severe droughts.

Why does this happen?

• The two water storage lakes depend on rainfall and flows from tributaries and the upstream arm of the Colorado for replenishment. When no significant amount of rain falls in the Colorado River watershed, flows into the lakes can become extremely low.
• Every spring and summer LCRA increases the amount of water released from the lakes to satisfy downstream needs, such as drinking water in Austin, irrigation for farming, and fresh water for fish and other aquatic life.

With so many demands on the water supply — city dwellers, industries, power plants, lakefront businesses, recreation seekers and sports enthusiasts, farmers, fish and wildlife — resentments can arise among different interest groups. Normally, there's enough water for all purposes, and each group comes to view the water as their own. When the dry months drag on without a break, those who frequent lakes Travis and Buchanan may wonder why LCRA releases water downstream.

Whose water is it?

While some folks may believe that the water should remain in lakes Travis and Buchanan, the fact is that LCRA built these two major storage reservoirs to serve residents throughout the lower Colorado River basin. Lake Travis serves the additional purpose of storing floodwaters to protect Austin and downstream communities from the worst effects of Hill Country floods.

This shot of the Pedernales River was taken during a drought several years ago.

LCRA makes releases from lakes Travis and Buchanan to irrigate crops, to supply the City of Austin, and to maintain a healthy ecosystem along the lower river and in Matagorda Bay. Farmers have long-term contracts to buy water from the lakes when there's not enough flowing into the lower river from local springs and tributaries. The City of Austin has a long-term water contract with LCRA. The ecological releases are required under LCRA's state-approved water management plan.

The water belongs to all of us, for these purposes as well as for cities, industries and recreation. However, extremely low lake levels would trigger a reduction in releases for the environment and agricultural irrigation.

What triggers a reduction in releases?
LCRA's Water Management Plan determines how LCRA will allocate water from Lakes Travis and Buchanan among various groups of users in times of plenty and scarcity.

The plan contains a number of trigger points for taking action during drought conditions. These decision thresholds are based on the combined storage levels in Lakes Travis and Buchanan. The figures above show the key points at which LCRA takes actions.