The Lower Colorado River Authority
is lowering Lake Austin and LBJ levels on Monday. The LCRA hasn’t been
able to do that in the last five years because of the drought.
This will give homeowners along the lakes a chance to fix and repair
docks and retaining walls. The LCRA said the lower lake levels will also
help with controlling hydrilla and watermilfoil.
On Lake Austin, LCRA will drop it 10 feet from Jan. 2, 2017 to Feb.
13, 2017. The plan includes letting the levels gradually fall. On Lake
LBJ, LCRA will lower it 4 feet during the same time period. Water
released from the lake will be held in Lake Travis.
Cory Miers, owner of Ski Shores Café on Lake Austin, worries about
the next six weeks. “We get about half of our business from the lake
from boats coming up and they’re not going to be able to get to our
docks.” Miers says it could mean up to a 70 percent hit to his business.
Even during the winter months, if the temperature is above 60 degrees
the lake hot spot is open. “I do have some staff that this is their job
and this is how they pay their rent. So when I have less sales it
affects them.”
The LCRA emphasizes that the lakes will not be closed, but at least
one boat tour company said its boats won’t be on the lake during this
time.
The last time the LCRA lowered levels was 2011 on Lake Austin and
2008 on Lake LBJ. The LCRA said the drawdown on Lake Austin is expected
to be the last chance for several years because of repairs to Tom Miller
Dam.
