Posted: Sun, 12 Jul 2009 01:15 PM - 10,204 Readers

By: John Bumgardner

This weekend might be the last to launch a boat from Mansfield Dam until drought conditions improve.

According to the LCRA when conditions are abnormal such as in the drought we are experiencing, boat ramps close.

Each boat launch has a minimum level where it can stay open. The lake level at Mansfield is just above the minimum level, currently registering at 640.86.

According to meteorologists the lake has been losing about two feet of water per week.

Right now there are 2 or 4 lanes open at Mansfield but when the level gets below 640, the boat launch will close completely. If that happens that would mean all boat launches into Lake Travis would be closed.

Rainfall in the area is well below normal for this time of year. Levels at Camp Mabry are 6.54 inches below our average of 17.84 for this time of year. Rainfall levels at Austin Bergstrom are even more lacking at 7.15 inches below the normal average of 18.20.

According to the National Weather Service office, “June was very dry and very warm across the area with most stations reporting well below normal rainfall totals. June is normally the second wettest month for many locations.”

Count yourself lucky to live in the Central Texas, a few locations across the Hill Country and the Austin area received rainfall amounts of one to three inches during June.