Posted: Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:43 PM - 23 Readers

By: LCRA

The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) will open at least two floodgates at Mansfield Dam on Lake Travis on Saturday, July 18, marking the first floodgate operation there since 2019. The first gate is scheduled to open around 6 a.m., with a second around 1 p.m. LCRA also plans to open one floodgate at Tom Miller Dam on Lake Austin on Friday afternoon, with possible additional operations depending on conditions. These controlled releases follow recent heavy rains in the Hill Country, allowing Lake Travis to rise into its flood pool and safely move floodwaters downstream, where river capacity is currently available.

The Highland Lakes system is functioning as designed, with flood operations already underway at upstream dams like Wirtz and Starcke to pass water into Lake Travis. Lakes Buchanan and Travis will both be full for water supply purposes for the first time since fall 2019. Downstream residents should secure property and avoid fast-moving waters near the dams, while lake users are advised to watch for strong currents, debris, and elevated bacteria levels. LCRA is monitoring conditions continuously and encourages the public to stay informed via their flood operations resources.