Residents of Llano and Edwards counties are fighting a pending Texas Commission on Environmental Quality permit that could have implications on Austin’s drinking water supply. An application filed by Waterstone Creek LLC seeks authorization to “construct and maintain a dam and reservoir on the South Llano River, Colorado River Basin, impounding 12.02 acre-feet of water […]
Highland Lakes
The Texas Highland Lakes are a chain of six lakes formed by dams on the lower Colorado River. Managed by the Lower Colorado River Authority the lakes are: Lake Buchanan, Inks Lake, lake LBJ, Lake Marble Falls, Lake Travis and Lake Austin.
Posted inWater
Downstream of Austin, Texas rice farmers face another year without Colorado River water
Lee esta historia en español Talking on the phone from his tractor in Colorado County, Texas, Craig Gutman said he was not surprised to hear water would not be available for rice farmers like him this year. “I was pretty much expecting it. We’ve been watching the lake levels,” he said, referring to the Highland […]
Posted inEnvironment
Zebra mussels have infested lakes Marble Falls and Granger
Zebra mussels are continuing to spread through Texas lakes. Texas Parks and Wildlife said Thursday that both Granger Lake and Lake Marble Falls are infested with the invasive species. The mussels have infested 19 lakes in Texas since their first appearance in Lake Texoma in 2009. It’s the second time this year the Lower Colorado […]
Posted inEnvironment
Zebra mussels have muscled their way into Lakes LBJ and Pflugerville
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced Monday that reproducing populations of zebra mussels have been found in lakes Lyndon B. Johnson and Pflugerville, bringing the number of statewide lakes infested with the invasive species to 17. In Central Texas, reproducing populations of the mussels have infested lakes Austin, Belton, Canyon, Georgetown, Lady Bird, LBJ, […]
Posted inEnvironment
How zebra mussels will change Austin lakes (and maybe Barton Springs) forever
The invasive zebra mussel has been moving south for years, leaving destruction in its wake. Now, it’s in Lake Travis, and it will soon make its way downstream, changing the look, feel and maybe even the taste of Austin’s lakes forever. At first glance, the mussels don’t look very threatening. They’re about the size of […]
Posted inEnvironment
City discusses the future of Austin waterways in the face of zebra mussel infestation
The city needs to batten down the hatches and get ready for the zebra mussel invasion, according to Liz Johnston, environmental program coordinator for the Watershed Protection Department. On Wednesday, Johnston brought the Environmental Commission up to speed on the forecasted consequences of the new zebra mussel population found in the waters of Lake Travis. […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Government, Resources
LCRA raises permit fees for developers to recover 100 percent of cost
Developers along the Highland Lakes will be paying more for construction permits as part of the Lower Colorado River Authority’s effort to keep what’s left of its water supply as clean as possible. The LCRA Board of Directors approved the increase in permit fees in areas under the Highland Lakes Watershed Ordinance Wednesday. It is […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment, Local Government, Resources
LCRA to consider shifting watershed ordinance fees to developers
For the first time ever, the Lower Colorado River Authority may raise fees to develop within the Highland Lakes watershed. The only question seems to be how much of those fees will be passed on to developers. The measure – up for a vote Wednesday at the LCRA’s February board of directors meeting – […]
Posted inResources
Conservation measures could hike rates for Austin Water users
As the current drought deepens – despite recent rains – city officials may be forced to take steps to install tougher conservation measures as water levels in the Highland Lakes continue to fall. But, as Austin Water Utility Assistant Director Daryl Slusher told the Environmental Board last week, using less water could mean higher water […]