
Water Level

|
668.74 ft
updated 1:00 AM
|


Live Webcam





|
Lake Travis area residents say city trying to take their land
Posted: Sat, 8 Aug 2009 09:21 AM - 10,022 Readers
By: Ryan Loyd
 Some lakefront property owners say Cedar Park is using eminent domain as a way to claim part of their land. Now they're fighting back. Jonestown resident Marlon Coplin lives on the north side of Lake Travis and enjoys his lakefront property. But he is being taken to court by the city of Cedar Park because the city wants eminent domain rights of his property. By September, an intake barge in planned on being built in order to supply water to Cedar Park. "They could bring their barge over and pump as much water as they want or need," he said. But Coplin isn't sure what the city is planning on doing with the barge permanently. According to Melanie Carr, who is Cedar Park's communication manager, the barge will not be a permanent fixture behind Coplin's home. But if the city wins its lawsuit and obtains the easement near his home, that is something that would be permanent. "We offered to give the land to Cedar Park for a temporary use and that could be a long period of time. When they get through with it we would like our land back," said Coplin. Carr said the city's floating raw water contingency project is set to begin in September. The project's plan states that the construction would start whenever the Lower Colorado River Authority informs the city that Lake Travis is within six months of the lake level dropping to 620 feet. That is about this time, said Carr during a phone interview Friday. At the rate the lake is dropping, it will be next June when Lake Travis reaches that level. Currently, an intake barge operates in the Sandy Creek arm of Lake Travis. The new barge will be built 4,000 to 5,000 downstream from the original barge in order to obtain deeper water. Coplin wants to be neighborly. But he still argues: "They don't have to do eminent domain. We're not trying to keep the citizens of Cedar Park from getting water," he said. "We're trying to help them get water." Coplin doesn't believe that taking his land, and lowering his property values, is the right way to go about helping his neighbors in Cedar Park. The Texas Legislature tried to pass a bill that would have made it more difficult for state government to condemn someone's land and claim it for eminent domain. It passed the senate, but it didn't make it through the house before the session ended. Marlon has a fighting chance of at least salvaging the value of his property, if voters in November pass a constitutional amendment on eminent domain. It will mean that property taken must give landowners fair market value. "Just the land itself is worth $800,000," said Coplin. "They're offering me $42,000." As it stands now, Coplin feels he's being cheated. "Some day I'd like to sell my property, and now I'm going to have to sell it 50 cents on the dollar." If the project begins in September, Carr says the project should take about six to seven months to complete.
[edit]
|
Lake Travis News
Floods force Buchanan Dam to open flood gates for first time in years
Jul 15, 2025
|
17 Readers |
Lake Travis largely reopens upstream of mile marker 36 and Sandy Creek Park
Jul 14, 2025
|
676 Readers |
Lake Travis closed to all uses except emergency response
Jul 12, 2025
|
384 Readers |
Maintenance workers clear trash, debris, swept up docks from Lake Travis after floods
Jul 8, 2025
|
166 Readers |
LCRA advises caution on lakes amid Central Texas flooding
Jul 6, 2025
|
1,072 Readers |
LCRA to reopen Lake Travis for public use Wednesday
Nov 6, 2018
|
75,087 Readers |
LCRA: Lakes could open by Nov. 2 depending on conditions
Oct 30, 2018
|
68,026 Readers |
Mansfield Dam floodgates to close starting Thursday
Oct 30, 2018
|
70,623 Readers |
LCRA will not open more gates at Mansfield Dam at this time
Oct 18, 2018
|
68,139 Readers |
Lago Vista residents prepare to evacuate due to flooding of Lake Travis
Oct 18, 2018
|
71,964 Readers |
JAWS is Returning To Theaters This Summer For Its 50th Anniversary!
Mar 8, 2025
|
11,095 Readers |
Alamo’s Jaws on the Water is back to scare you while you float on Lake Travis
May 15, 2018
|
64,513 Readers |
This student’s wakeboarding graduation photoshoot is so epic she deserves another degree
May 8, 2018
|
63,157 Readers |
Here’s why you can’t swim in Lady Bird Lake. Wait — you can’t swim in Lady Bird Lake?
Aug 8, 2017
|
68,737 Readers |
5 Ways to Try Paddleboarding in Austin
Aug 4, 2017
|
65,471 Readers |
Why Is Hippie Hollow Clothing-Optional?
Jul 31, 2017
|
70,095 Readers |
JAWS on the Water - Friday, June 30th
Jun 27, 2017
|
64,608 Readers |
Memorial Day Weekend watercraft ban on Lake Austin
May 25, 2017
|
66,017 Readers |
Travis County officials prep for Memorial Day weekend on Lake Travis
May 23, 2017
|
63,723 Readers |
West Austin 4-H Offers Opportunities Beyond Just Raising Animals
Aug 9, 2016
|
74,297 Readers |
Lake levels falling fast as Texas drought continues
Jul 27, 2022
|
59,213 Readers |
Repairing Lake Travis homes damaged by flooding
Nov 2, 2018
|
71,357 Readers |
Lake Travis now more than 120 percent full
Oct 17, 2018
|
61,484 Readers |
Graveyard Point residents brace for flooding
Oct 17, 2018
|
62,974 Readers |
Floodgate Operations Underway at Local Lakes During Flooding
Oct 16, 2018
|
62,775 Readers |
As Flood Risk Increases, Austin Will Revisit Its Floodplain Building Rules
Oct 15, 2018
|
62,491 Readers |
Up to 35 days of 100-degree heat this summer in Austin area, LCRA says
May 9, 2018
|
65,797 Readers |
Lake Buchanan rises nearly 8 inches due to rain
Aug 8, 2017
|
68,370 Readers |
One floodgate open at Starcke Dam
Aug 7, 2017
|
66,265 Readers |
Driving on RM 620, I see islands sticking out of the lake. Is the drought returning?
Jul 14, 2017
|
66,702 Readers |
Spectacular catch highlights our High School Plays of the week
Oct 16, 2018
|
61,073 Readers |
Classic Berth, Big Payday On The Line At Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest
May 15, 2018
|
63,447 Readers |
Several newcomers already set to play for Texas in 2017
Aug 7, 2017
|
64,808 Readers |
PGA to Austin: We had lots of fun, so let’s do it again in 2017
Apr 1, 2016
|
75,709 Readers |
Jordan Spieth Off To Good Start In Austin Return
Mar 24, 2016
|
75,565 Readers |
Katy vs Lake Travis game makes the list!
Jan 13, 2016
|
73,989 Readers |
Game of the week: Lake Travis (7-0) at Westlake (7-0)
Oct 19, 2015
|
75,748 Readers |
Lake Travis repeats as regional golf champions
Apr 17, 2015
|
77,514 Readers |
Lake Travis’ Bacon ties national HR record
Mar 14, 2015
|
80,030 Readers |
Westlake, Lake Travis sweep District 14-6A awards
Mar 11, 2015
|
79,280 Readers |
Shack 512 Relaxed, lakeside dining accessible by car or by boat
May 16, 2018
|
63,611 Readers |
Residents addressing wildfire risks in Lake Travis, Westlake
May 16, 2018
|
62,758 Readers |
Ex-Point Venture water employee accused of misappropriating $65K
May 16, 2018
|
63,333 Readers |
West Lake Hills’ new drainage manual created in an effort to reduce flooding
May 15, 2018
|
65,322 Readers |
Round Rock City Council approves cost share for zebra mussel control in Lake Travis
May 11, 2018
|
65,866 Readers |
Nautical Boat Clubs Launches Lake Austin Location in Westlake
May 5, 2018
|
65,348 Readers |
City looking for help to curb storm drain pollution
Aug 5, 2017
|
64,701 Readers |
Apache Shores features waterfront views, trails, park
Jul 14, 2017
|
65,492 Readers |
10-year Mansfield Dam rehabilitation project will keep Austin safe
Apr 27, 2017
|
64,905 Readers |
Overflowing Lake Travis isn't all bad news for businesses
Jun 8, 2016
|
74,972 Readers |
Appraisal protest trend continues as assessments rise
May 16, 2018
|
63,075 Readers |
Go Inside This Lake Austin Remodel
May 10, 2018
|
60,884 Readers |
Modern guesthouse tower adds space, views to lakeside cabin
Sep 28, 2017
|
67,648 Readers |
A Striking Sanctuary in Texas Inspired by a Sand Dollar
Aug 8, 2017
|
66,080 Readers |
Contemporary Architectural Masterpiece on Lake Austin
Jul 30, 2017
|
64,215 Readers |
Lake Austin mansion with a Romeo and Juliet balcony, including dramatic backstory
Jul 28, 2017
|
64,502 Readers |
Midcentury-modern home overlooks Lake Austin, Pennybacker Bridge
May 27, 2016
|
76,260 Readers |
Lake Travis Waterfront Retreat Offered by Heritage Luxury Real Estate Auctions
May 18, 2016
|
74,772 Readers |
In Lago Vista, big dreams for $68 million ranch property
May 14, 2016
|
74,650 Readers |
This Texas Barn Mansion on Lake Travis is Out of This World
May 6, 2016
|
78,477 Readers |
News Archives 2009 - Select a Month
|