Leander agrees to transport Liberty Hill water north
A new water contract with Liberty Hill will inject approximately $500,000 per year into Leander's utility fund.
View ArticleCoffee with Impact—Becky Motal
General Manager Becky Motal has worked for LCRA for 27 years. Her job includes working to educate customers on the importance of being aware of their water use, how to conserve water and how best use...
View ArticleHighland Lakes property owners could have to curtail water use under LCRA plan
Domestic water users along the Highland Lakes could soon follow the same strict watering restrictions as Austin residents.
View ArticleRecent rainfall benefits drought-depleted Highland Lakes
The Highland Lakes are benefiting from overnight and early morning rainfall Oct. 16 as much, if not more, than this past weekend's heavy storms, the Lower Colorado River Authority board learned.
View ArticleLCRA staff recommends cutting off downstream rice farmers for third...
The Highland Lakes' drought conditions continue to persist despite recent rains, and Lower Colorado River Authority staff is recommending downstream rice farmers be denied reservoir water for a...
View ArticleDrought conditions persist despite recent rains
A white-painted, 2 1/2 ton dead tree positioned upright in the middle of Lady Bird Lake has become an appropriate yet ironic symbol for the drought during an especially wet fall season.
View ArticleCommunities adrift in continuing drought
Cathy and Louis Weyland live in a waterfront home Louis’ father purchased near Hudson Bend Road in 1953.
View ArticleTCEQ delays decision on emergency drought relief request
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has delayed authorization of a proposed emergency drought order intended to protect Austin's water supply until at least Feb. 21.
View ArticleEmergency relief needed unless lakes significantly higher, state judges...
Emergency drought relief could come at a level closer to the city of Austin's liking after two judges recommended Feb. 21 that Texas Commission on Environmental Quality increase standards before...
View ArticleState agency cuts off downstream rice farmers for now
After hearing a wide range of recommendations for emergency drought relief, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality opted to instead set its own standards for managing Highland Lakes water during...
View ArticleLCRA discusses rate increases for all water customers
With lakes Travis and Buchanan at near-historic lows, residents from Travis County and surrounding areas packed Bee Cave’s City Hall on April 3 to discuss proposed raw water rate increases with Lower...
View ArticleNew Lake Travis eatery to open this summer
Lake Travis residents will soon have a new restaurant at the site of the former Shades Cafe, 16410 Stewart Road, Austin. Shades Cafe closed in summer 2013.
View ArticleVibra Rehabilitation Hospital of Lake Travis set to open Oct. 1
Lakeway’s first acute medical rehabilitation hospital plans to open Oct. 1 at 2000 Medical Drive, Lakeway, CEO Deborah Hopps said during Lakeway City Council’s July 21 meeting.
View ArticleLCRA board may vote Aug. 20 on revised water management plan
Lower Colorado River Authority board members on August 20 will consider approving a revised water management plan that is stricter than initially proposed two years ago.
View ArticleDecision delayed on LCRA revised water management plan
A long-term plan for keeping the Austin area’s primary water supply intact was introduced August 15 but its approval remains uncertain.
View ArticleLCRA delays revised water management plan
A long-term plan for keeping the Austin area’s primary water supply intact was introduced Aug. 15, but its approval remains uncertain.
View ArticleAustin-area state House Reps pitch transportation initiatives during RECA...
Transportation issues made up the majority of the discussion during the Jan. 14 Real Estate Council of Austin Ideas Forum, which included guest speakers Texas House Reps. Eddie Rodriguez and Paul Workman.
View ArticleLCRA: Drought conditions still exist
The city of Austin received above-average rainfall in 2014, yet much of that water failed to stream into the Highland Lakes, the area’s primary water supply.
View ArticleThe Iguana Grill closes on Lake Travis
The Iguana Grill at 2900 N. RR 620, Austin, closed Feb. 15.
View ArticleFrom the Editor LTW March 2015
The residential rental industry is an interesting business.
View ArticleWater Management Plan approved by Lower Colorado River Authority
After an 18-month process in which an advisory board investigated changes to the Lower Colorado River Authority’s Water Management Plan, the LCRA board approved the plan 10–5 on Feb. 22.
View ArticleSandeez Hamburger Hut
A tradition in the Lakeway area for more than three decades, Sandeez Hamburger Hut has kept customers coming back for years to the old-fashioned, mom and pop–style diner where the staff knows most...
View Article‘Character of Comanche’
When Comanche Trail Community Association members Donna Ackman and Jeanne Graves discovered the group was set to celebrate its 40th anniversary they decided to publish a book.
View ArticleA view from above
Between Feb. 1 and April 29, Lake Travis rose by approximately 12 feet.
View ArticleVolente has high hopes for lake’s future despite drought conditions
The lowest Lake Travis water levels in nearly 50 years are not enough to deter Volente business owners who expect to bounce back from the worst known drought in Texas history.
View ArticleFirst phase of three-city water project goes live
Three Williamson County communities successfully secured additional water in late June when the first phase of the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority project went live.
View ArticleBee Cave City Council shows support for sculpture park
Following the success of The Benches in Bee Cave program, a pro-arts nonprofit is looking to build momentum toward a Bee Cave Sculpture Park.
View ArticleGrandAnne’s on the Lake
Anne Steichen is not short-selling her experience as an innkeeper when she claims to have stumbled into the business.
View ArticleLCRA staff recommends revised drought emergency relief plan
Downstream rice farmers may regain access to Lake Travis water if a proposed drought relief order gains approval from the Lower Colorado River Authority board.
View ArticleUpdate: LCRA board reaches compromise on emergency drought order
The so-called “aqua cliff” may have been avoided after the Lower Colorado River Authority board voted Nov. 14 to endorse emergency drought relief that would potentially provide water downstream for...
View ArticleLCRA to reconsider recommendation on sending Lake Travis water downstream
The Lower Colorado River Authority is reconsidering a recommendation that would have sent Lake Travis water downstream to rice farmers.
View ArticleUPDATE: LCRA board seeks same emergency drought order as 2012
The Lower Colorado River Authority is expected to vote Jan. 8 on a recommendation that would potentially cut off Lake Travis water to downstream rice farmers under existing conditions.
View ArticleLCRA approves plan that likely cuts off downstream rice farmers
The Lower Colorado River Authority board of directors unanimously agreed Jan. 8 to limit all water for downstream agricultural irrigation unless the Highland Lakes reach a combined storage of at least...
View ArticleLCRA approves plan for downstream reservoir to ease water concerns
A new $33 million plan to create more water storage gained unanimous approval Jan. 16 from the Lower Colorado River Authority board of directors.
View ArticleWater officials predict drought to continue
With lakes Travis and Buchanan at 42 percent capacity and little rainfall predicted in the upcoming months, Central Texas’ severe drought looks as if it will linger at least through the first four...
View ArticleTCEQ executive director signs off on emergency drought order
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality officially approved an emergency drought order Jan. 29 that will potentially prevent southeastern Texas rice farmers from receiving any water in 2013.
View ArticleTexas rice industry suffering in drought
The combined storage of lakes Travis and Buchanan is still well below the 850,000 acre-feet minimum needed before southwestern Texas agricultural interests obtain any water this season.
View ArticleLeander, Liberty Hill negotiating water deal
Leander, once in such dire straits that it turned to Cedar Park for water, is now in position to provide its northern neighbor, Liberty Hill, with the valuable resource.
View ArticleCedar Park, Leander to consider joining water customer coalition
Cedar Park and Leander will soon decide whether to participate in the newly created Highland Lakes Firm Water Customers Cooperative.
View ArticleIt's official: LCRA cuts off downstream rice farmers for second year in a row
The Lower Colorado River Authority made good on a board decision to cut off Highland Lakes water in 2013 if the combined storage failed to exceed 850,000 acre-feet by March 1.
View ArticleSpicewood Community Library initiates 'virtual branch' for members
On March 4, the Spicewood Community Library’s "virtual branch" website went live to offer patrons free access to digital resources including audiobooks and e-books.
View ArticleLCRA water management plan delayed
A long-term strategy for managing Central Texas water has been delayed at least 10 months to allow state officials more time to collect information on looming drought conditions.
View ArticleDrought unlikely to end this summer, LCRA officials say
The Highland Lakes water supply is unlikely to be replenished this summer because of ongoing drought conditions, officials from the Lower Colorado River Authority announced June 24.
View ArticlePflugerville passes amendements to drought contingency plan
The Pflugerville City Council approved at its June 25 meeting amendments to the city's drought contingency plan, effective immediately.
View ArticleCedar Park considers strongest water restrictions yet
Cedar Park could enact its strongest water restrictions ever Aug. 1 in anticipation of ongoing drought conditions this summer.
View ArticleCedar Park considers increasing water rates temporarily
The drought has taken enough of a toll on the area to force Cedar Park to enact its strongest watering restrictions ever while simultaneously considering an increase in water rates until conditions...
View ArticleCoffee with Impact: Becky Motal
Created by the Texas Legislature in 1934, the Lower Colorado River Authority manages the water supply for residents, farmers and businesses along 600 miles of the Colorado River from San Saba to the...
View ArticleCouncil approves new drought plan
Pflugerville City Council approved amendments to the city’s drought contingency plan, which are intended to increase public awareness on water use and conservation.
View ArticleLake Travis slow to rise despite recent rains
Near-daily rainfall since May 5 has made only a small impact on drought-depleted Lake Travis and the rest of the Highland Lakes.
View ArticleCentral Texas recovering from Memorial Day weekend storms
Flood recovery has started for many Austin-area residents and businesses following extensive rainfall during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
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