LCRA awards $24,902 grant for new warning system at Llano low-water crossing

Project will increase safety at dangerous crossing during floods

MAY 9, 2025

LCRA representatives present a $24,902 grant to the City of Llano for a warning system for a low-water crossing in Llano. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Kyle Jonas, street department crewman; Blake Schulze, street department crew leader; Josh Becker, director of water/wastewater operations; Martin “Marty” Mangum, city manager; John Bauer, chief of police; Kim Wagner, city secretary; Marion Bishop, mayor; Amy Galloway, city administrative assistant; Carol Freeman, LCRA Board member; Les Hartman, police sergeant; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter and Michael L. “Mike” Allen, LCRA Board members, David Gilliland, fire chief; David R. Willmann, LCRA Board member; Kara Gilliland, mayor pro tem; and Susan Patten, LCRA Regional Affairs representative.
LLANO, Texas – The City of Llano soon will install a warning system at a low-water crossing on Sandstone Street, thanks to a $24,902 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.

The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $18,100 in matching funds from the city, will provide high-water warning lights, solar-powered sensors and a barrier gate system that will block the street during flood events. The city also will add a “Road May Flood” sign to the crossing.

“We experienced extreme flooding in 2018, and tragically someone lost their life at this exact crossing during that flood,” said Marty Mangum, Llano city manager. “The city is located on the Llano River and only has one bridge, so we are very reliant on low-water crossing areas. That also means it is imperative that we have warning systems in place to notify traffic when those crossings could be hazardous.”

The city placed barricades in front of the dangerous crossing in 2018, but they were washed away during the flood and left the crossing unmarked. Mangum said the city was committed to finding a permanent solution to help prevent future tragedies.

“We couldn’t think of anything that would be more important than trying to save people’s lives,” Mangum said. “As tight as money is for cities, this issue would likely not be perceived as critical to fund because it was a rare event, but there is always a possibility that it could happen again. If we could prevent tragedy with this project, we will have done our job to serve our community.”

The community grant is one of 45 grants awarded recently through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund eligible capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. The City of Llano is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and is a partner in the grant program.

Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in July 2025. More information is available at lcra.org/cdpp.

About LCRA

The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations.

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Clara Tuma, Public Information Officer
512-578-3292
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