The Lower Colorado River Authority will lower Lake Austin 12 feet beginning Jan. 3, 2011, officials announced Wednesday.

At the request of the city of Austin, the water will be drawn down so lakeside residents and businesses can build and maintain docks and infrastructure. The lowering has been a regular occurrence for the last five decades, except in drought years, as a means to control the aggressive non-native aquatic plant hydrilla. The plants are exposed to air and eventually dehydrate.

The latest drawdown is expected to take about three weeks, unless a significant amount of rain stores enough water upstream in Lake Travis. LCRA will begin refilling the lake beginning Feb. 13, 2011.

Residents or businesses planning lakeside work should contact city officials at (512) 974-6370 or (512) 974-2689.

LCRA is a nonprofit conservation and reclamation district that provides energy, water and community services to Texans. The group recently announced plans to sell 32 rural utility systems.