Water Level
|
630.49 ft
updated 2:00 PM
|
Live Webcam
Vacation Rentals
|
Before Save Our Springs...
Posted: Thu, 22 Apr 2010 07:59 PM - 7,469 Readers
By: Nora Ankrum
A selection of landmark events in Austin's early environmental history, excerpted primarily from the early chapters of Scott Swearingen's Environmental City.1960s: Chemical plant drainage kills "all the fish in Town Lake"... Activist Roberta Crenshaw blocks developer effort to turn half of Lake Austin into theme park... Travis Heights resident Jean Mather thwarts attempt to lay pipe in Blunn Creek. 1970: Citizens for a Barton Creek Park – first group to "focus public attention on the Barton Creek watershed" – proposes 13-mile "wilderness park along the creek from Zilker Park ... to Highway 71." 1971: Voters reject joining "joint venture nuclear generator facility"... "Environmental councilman" Lowell Lebermann helps establish Office of Environmental Resources Management (putting environmental considerations into the zoning process) and citizens environmental board (helping council members and citizens access information about development projects). 1972: Activists Virginia Bedinger and Mary Arnold lead first successful Save Muny (municipal golf course) campaign... Crenshaw and Parks Director Beverly Sheffield overcome city resistance to Town Lake Beautification Project when Lady Bird Johnson joins effort; group secures funding for trail system, trees, and amenities around the lake. 1973: Nuke returns to ballot, wins by 722 votes, becomes "black hole of cost overruns"... Construction of Barton Creek Square mall begins on Barton Creek Watershed: "Within hours ... the water emerging from the springs turned dark and silty." 1975: Now or Never group raises funds for 277-acre Wild Basin Preserve as West Lake Hills suburbs gobble up Hill Country... Council candidates run as "environmentalists" for first time... Voters approve bond to buy Barton Creek land – city eventually can only afford half of the land approved, because council members cozy with creek-side landowners postpone purchases... Austin Tomorrow plan – first comprehensive plan to include citizen input – recommends directing development away from environmentally sensitive areas and builds "network of neighborhood organizations" that becomes defining feature of local politics. December 1975: Voters reject water/sewage bond package as "developer's dream" – ironically leaving city unable to fund annexation of environmentally sensitive areas identified by Austin Tomorrow. 1977: State lawmakers pass municipal utility district legislation that speeds up dense development in precisely those areas Austin Tomorrow targeted for slow growth. 1980: Barton Creek Ordinance passes – council then grants variances to 80% of development projects covered by ordinance. 1981: Voters kick nuke to curb, get stuck with it anyway when no one buys Austin's share. 1982: Blunn Creek Preserve opens after Mather and others lobby city to buy and preserve the land... McKinney State Falls Park closes to swimmers because of sewage from South Austin developments upstream. 1985: Town Lake Park Alliance organizes against plan to build convention center at Auditorium Shores; voters reject center 67% to 32%. 1985-86: "First environmental council" comes to power, dedicates "all city-owned land" along Town Lake as parkland, passes Comprehensive Watersheds Ordinance. 1987: First "Austin bashing" state legislation weakens city's ability to enforce water-quality ordinances and introduces "grandfathering exemptions," setting stage for Save Our Springs battles to come.
[edit]
|
Lake Travis News
LCRA to reopen Lake Travis for public use Wednesday
Nov 6, 2018
|
34,508 Readers |
LCRA: Lakes could open by Nov. 2 depending on conditions
Oct 30, 2018
|
28,176 Readers |
Mansfield Dam floodgates to close starting Thursday
Oct 30, 2018
|
31,113 Readers |
LCRA will not open more gates at Mansfield Dam at this time
Oct 18, 2018
|
29,283 Readers |
Lago Vista residents prepare to evacuate due to flooding of Lake Travis
Oct 18, 2018
|
33,246 Readers |
An incredible view of an open Mansfield Dam : Youtube video
Oct 18, 2018
|
29,632 Readers |
Lake Travis expected to hit highest level since 1991 by Friday
Oct 17, 2018
|
27,426 Readers |
Hike and bike trail on Lady Bird Lake closed due to rising water
Oct 17, 2018
|
26,689 Readers |
Lake Travis expected to open 4 more floodgates. Take Precaution
Oct 17, 2018
|
30,436 Readers |
Record number of Mansfield dam floodgates could open
Oct 17, 2018
|
22,996 Readers |
Alamo’s Jaws on the Water is back to scare you while you float on Lake Travis
May 15, 2018
|
27,593 Readers |
This student’s wakeboarding graduation photoshoot is so epic she deserves another degree
May 8, 2018
|
25,626 Readers |
Here’s why you can’t swim in Lady Bird Lake. Wait — you can’t swim in Lady Bird Lake?
Aug 8, 2017
|
29,138 Readers |
5 Ways to Try Paddleboarding in Austin
Aug 4, 2017
|
28,044 Readers |
Why Is Hippie Hollow Clothing-Optional?
Jul 31, 2017
|
31,866 Readers |
JAWS on the Water - Friday, June 30th
Jun 27, 2017
|
27,539 Readers |
Memorial Day Weekend watercraft ban on Lake Austin
May 25, 2017
|
29,807 Readers |
Travis County officials prep for Memorial Day weekend on Lake Travis
May 23, 2017
|
27,389 Readers |
West Austin 4-H Offers Opportunities Beyond Just Raising Animals
Aug 9, 2016
|
37,607 Readers |
Large Crowds Expected at Lake Travis For Holiday Weekend
Jul 1, 2016
|
39,297 Readers |
Lake levels falling fast as Texas drought continues
Jul 27, 2022
|
14,714 Readers |
Repairing Lake Travis homes damaged by flooding
Nov 2, 2018
|
29,425 Readers |
Lake Travis now more than 120 percent full
Oct 17, 2018
|
22,822 Readers |
Graveyard Point residents brace for flooding
Oct 17, 2018
|
24,326 Readers |
Floodgate Operations Underway at Local Lakes During Flooding
Oct 16, 2018
|
24,300 Readers |
As Flood Risk Increases, Austin Will Revisit Its Floodplain Building Rules
Oct 15, 2018
|
24,592 Readers |
Up to 35 days of 100-degree heat this summer in Austin area, LCRA says
May 9, 2018
|
26,347 Readers |
Lake Buchanan rises nearly 8 inches due to rain
Aug 8, 2017
|
29,516 Readers |
One floodgate open at Starcke Dam
Aug 7, 2017
|
27,003 Readers |
Driving on RM 620, I see islands sticking out of the lake. Is the drought returning?
Jul 14, 2017
|
28,272 Readers |
Spectacular catch highlights our High School Plays of the week
Oct 16, 2018
|
22,357 Readers |
Classic Berth, Big Payday On The Line At Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest
May 15, 2018
|
26,932 Readers |
Several newcomers already set to play for Texas in 2017
Aug 7, 2017
|
28,316 Readers |
PGA to Austin: We had lots of fun, so let’s do it again in 2017
Apr 1, 2016
|
38,590 Readers |
Jordan Spieth Off To Good Start In Austin Return
Mar 24, 2016
|
38,217 Readers |
Katy vs Lake Travis game makes the list!
Jan 13, 2016
|
35,882 Readers |
Game of the week: Lake Travis (7-0) at Westlake (7-0)
Oct 19, 2015
|
37,939 Readers |
Lake Travis repeats as regional golf champions
Apr 17, 2015
|
40,310 Readers |
Lake Travis’ Bacon ties national HR record
Mar 14, 2015
|
40,722 Readers |
Westlake, Lake Travis sweep District 14-6A awards
Mar 11, 2015
|
41,621 Readers |
Shack 512 Relaxed, lakeside dining accessible by car or by boat
May 16, 2018
|
26,610 Readers |
Residents addressing wildfire risks in Lake Travis, Westlake
May 16, 2018
|
25,621 Readers |
Ex-Point Venture water employee accused of misappropriating $65K
May 16, 2018
|
26,209 Readers |
West Lake Hills’ new drainage manual created in an effort to reduce flooding
May 15, 2018
|
26,862 Readers |
Round Rock City Council approves cost share for zebra mussel control in Lake Travis
May 11, 2018
|
27,610 Readers |
Nautical Boat Clubs Launches Lake Austin Location in Westlake
May 5, 2018
|
27,322 Readers |
City looking for help to curb storm drain pollution
Aug 5, 2017
|
27,131 Readers |
Apache Shores features waterfront views, trails, park
Jul 14, 2017
|
26,407 Readers |
10-year Mansfield Dam rehabilitation project will keep Austin safe
Apr 27, 2017
|
27,753 Readers |
Overflowing Lake Travis isn't all bad news for businesses
Jun 8, 2016
|
36,354 Readers |
Appraisal protest trend continues as assessments rise
May 16, 2018
|
26,159 Readers |
Go Inside This Lake Austin Remodel
May 10, 2018
|
24,011 Readers |
Modern guesthouse tower adds space, views to lakeside cabin
Sep 28, 2017
|
29,280 Readers |
A Striking Sanctuary in Texas Inspired by a Sand Dollar
Aug 8, 2017
|
29,728 Readers |
Contemporary Architectural Masterpiece on Lake Austin
Jul 30, 2017
|
27,365 Readers |
Lake Austin mansion with a Romeo and Juliet balcony, including dramatic backstory
Jul 28, 2017
|
27,572 Readers |
Midcentury-modern home overlooks Lake Austin, Pennybacker Bridge
May 27, 2016
|
37,545 Readers |
Lake Travis Waterfront Retreat Offered by Heritage Luxury Real Estate Auctions
May 18, 2016
|
37,703 Readers |
In Lago Vista, big dreams for $68 million ranch property
May 14, 2016
|
37,642 Readers |
This Texas Barn Mansion on Lake Travis is Out of This World
May 6, 2016
|
41,447 Readers |
News Archives 2010 - Select a Month
|