Posted: Wed, 2 Feb 2011 01:16 PM - 13,340 Readers

By: Asher Price

Trying to stave off energy shortages, the state’s electric grid operator has ordered the Lower Colorado River Authority to provide emergency hydroelectric power over the next three days.

The LCRA usually generates hydroelectric power on any given day from one of its six dams. But under the emergency order by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, it will produce power at all six.

The water released from the dams for emergency hydroelectric generation will raise the level of Lake Austin, which is in the middle of a planned draw-down to help control nuisance plants and allow lakeside residents to build and maintain boat ramps, retaining walls, docks, and perform minor dredging, according to an LCRA news release.

“One of the great benefits LCRA provides our region is the ability to generate electricity quickly in an emergency,” said LCRA General Manager Tom Mason in the release. “The hydroelectric units at our dams can respond in a hurry to a weather event like Texas is experiencing today.”