We can thank El Nino for a promising summer lake season. This winter’s rain has brought Lake Travis up 50 feet. It is at its full elevation of 681 feet. The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) releases water daily to keep the elevation consistent.
The higher water levels mean better business on the lake.
"We’ve got a lot of bookings already so it’s really looking good," said Captain “Hawkeye” Roth with Just for Fun Watercraft Rentals .
Last year’s low water boating hazards like islands and tree stumps have disappeared on Lake Travis. Now, there’s a different threat on the lakes: flooding. May and June are typically Central Texas’ wet months.
"A flood could occur on Lake Travis very easily,” said LCRA meteorologist Bob Rose. “It wouldn’t take much more than a 4-5 inch type rain over a widespread area."
Debris washing downstream causes a boating safety issue. When water elevations get too high, the lakes are closed.
“If the spring rains come and we get flooded, then it closes the lake and that’s not good for us,” said Roth. “So it’s always better to go into a season say 10 feet down from full.”
The LCRA says they are prepared for any flooding event on the Highland Lakes’ chain. This May and June, they are taking special care.
“We’d begin our flood releases, flood gate operations a little bit earlier in May and June,” said David Walker, LCRA River Operations. “We tend to be more conservative.”
Beyond the wet months, long range weather forecasts are calling for hotter, drier conditions to set in.
The LCRA says Lake Travis could drop around 10 feet during the hottest months of the year. It could fall 20 feet if the weather conditions become very dry. Just don't expect the last year’s extreme drought.
"This is not going to shape up to be a repeat of last year by any means," said Rose.
At the top of the Highland Lakes chain, Lake Buchanan remains around 10 feet below full. The LCRA is expecting its elevation to steadily rise through July.
The LCRA says they are prepared for any flooding event on the Highland Lakes’ chain. This May and June, they are taking special care.