Lake Austin Lowering
In October, LCRA plans to temporarily lower Lake Austin at the request of the City of Austin. The drawdown will give property owners an opportunity to repair shoreline structures, dredge boat slips, remove debris and manage nuisance vegetation. The drawdown also gives Austin fire and parks departments the opportunity to perform planned maintenance.
Lake Austin lowering details
- Drawdown: Begins Oct. 12, lowered no more than 1 foot a day
- Target level: Lowered 10 feet to 481.8-482.8 feet msl
- Refill: Nov. 24-30, rising about 2 feet a day
Requirements to do work
The City of Austin requires a permit for construction of a new boat dock, repairs to existing boat docks and bulkheads, and removal of sediment in the lakebed. Austin Development Services is developing a permit application for minor repairs to boat docks and bulkheads during the drawdown, which will be available in the coming weeks. Visit AustinTexas.gov/Boat-Docks for more information.
For questions related to doing work during the lowering, contact the city at [email protected].
FAQs
Why does LCRA lower lakes?
LCRA occasionally lowers the pass-through lakes to provide lakeside property owners an opportunity to maintain docks, retaining walls and shoreline structures “in the dry” rather than underwater.
LCRA lowers Lake Austin at the request of the City of Austin. Austin has jurisdiction over dock regulations and vegetation management on Lake Austin.
When will Lake Austin reach its targeted lowered range?
The lake will be lowered no more than 1 foot a day. It could take from 10 days to several weeks for Lake Austin to reach its lowered level of 481.8 to 482.8 feet above mean sea level.
Why is LCRA lowering Lake Austin slowly?
LCRA will allow Lake Austin to gradually fall by not sending water downstream from Lake Travis to replace water used by customers on Lake Austin or released to meet customer needs or environmental flow requirements in the lower river or Matagorda Bay.
Lowering the lake slowly also protects shorelines, reduces the potential for erosion and gives the aquatic ecosystem time to adjust.
How will Lake Austin be refilled?
Lake Austin will be refilled with water released from Lake Travis. Without additional rain, the refill could cause Lake Travis to fall about 9 inches. This is the same amount of water that would have been sent downstream to maintain the level of Lake Austin if it had not been drawn down.
Are boating or swimming allowed during the drawdown?
The City of Austin will close public boat ramps along Lake Austin and prohibit swimming at Emma Long Metropolitan Park throughout the drawdown.
Could the drawdown end earlier than planned?
Yes. Floods or potential power shortages could cause the drawdown to be shortened or canceled. Property owners should:
- Remove tools from the shoreline when not in use
- Not leave equipment unattended in the lakebed
Austin and LCRA will monitor weather and other conditions closely and will advise the public of any anticipated changes to the drawdown timetable.
When was the last time Lake Austin was lowered?
Lake Austin was last lowered in 2017.
Will any other lakes be lowered this year?
LCRA does not plan to lower any of the other pass-through lakes in 2026.
Will any of the Highland Lakes be lowered in 2027?
That decision will be made in late summer 2027 based on conditions at that time.
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