Lake Travis second lowest level since the drought in 1963
The lake that is fed by the Lower Colorado River by way of the Highland Lakes chain is more than 40 feet below average. The all-time low for Lake Travis was in August 1951, that's when the water was just 614 feet above sea level.
Friday morning, Lake Travis stood at just over 626 feet above sea level. That's the the third-lowest level in the history of the reservoir that supplies much of the drinking water for Austin and nearby communities.
As an Austinite I’ve seen our Lake Travis at it’s lowest, and it always rebounds and fills up with our Spring or Fall rains however we haven’t had the blessing of rain on our watersheds which help to replenish our Lake Travis in several years. Lake Travis serves as the primary flood control reservoir of the Highland Lake chain. The level of the lake can therefore vary dramatically, depending on the amount of rainfall in the Colorado River basin upstream. Austin is currently under water restriction 2 and ask it’s residents to only water once a week on their designated day according to address.
If you or someone you know is planning on moving to Austin and Lake Travis don’t let our drought worry you, authorities of the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) say there is plenty of water in our Lakes.
Despite Lake Travis second lowest level since the drought in 1963 the 4th of July weekend is keeping Lake businesses hopping with visitors and local residents. There is still plenty of water to boat, ski, and swim with caution so come on out and make history and explore uncovered treasures before our next flood.
KXAN-weather channel Video of our Drought:
