The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has advised lake visitors to exercise caution and avoid nighttime activities on the Highland Lakes due to lingering bacteria and debris from recent flooding. Although flood operations at dams along the lakes concluded on Wednesday, conditions remain hazardous, with some residential docks on Lake Travis still displaced and potentially unlit, and flood debris continuing to pose risks until at least late next week when bacteria levels are expected to normalize.

Over the past two weeks, LCRA managed floodwaters through five of the six Highland Lakes dams, moving water downstream into Lake Travis, the only lake with storage capacity. Lake Buchanan has risen over 17 feet and Lake Travis over 36 feet since July 4, increasing the combined storage of these water supply reservoirs from 51% to over 93% capacity. Visitors are urged to stay vigilant, avoid smelly or cloudy lake areas, and follow water safety guidelines to mitigate risks from elevated bacteria and debris.