Austin officials have shelved plans to lower Lake Austin by 10 feet after business owners said the move would disrupt the busy fall season and put jobs at risk.
That cancellation also delays property maintenance and efforts to address Hydrilla, an invasive underwater plant that stakeholders wanted to tackle while water levels were lower.
Here's what to know
KXAN reported that Austin Water and Austin Watershed Protection said in a joint memo to the mayor and City Council that concerns surfaced during stakeholder outreach.
"The drawdown was initially scheduled for October 12 through November 30," the memo said. "Through stakeholder engagement, the City heard concerns about potential impacts for businesses and activities along Lake Austin, including the fall wedding season and major events such as the University of Texas at Austin football and Formula 1."
People along the lake had backed the drawdown because it would let them maintain their properties and remove Hydrilla. But business owners told KXAN that lower water levels during fall could significantly hurt them and lead to dozens of layoffs.
Austin also explored another possible timeline with the Lower Colorado River Authority. That agency offered a December 1 to January 15 window, but the city said those dates would interfere with holiday events on the lake.
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More background
For some residents, lowering the lake would have created a chance to repair docks, shorelines, and other waterfront structures. For others, it threatened a crucial earning period that helps support workers and small businesses.
"Stakeholders also expressed interest in a January and February drawdown," the memo continued. "While drawdowns have occurred during the winter months in the past, LCRA has advised that, following Winter Storm Uri in 2021, it no longer conducts lake drawdowns during the winter period in order to help ensure hydroelectric generators at dams along the Highland Lakes remain available to support the Texas power grid during cold winter months."
What's being done?
Given the limited scheduling options, Austin said it will not carry out the drawdown in 2026.
"Staff will continue evaluating economic, operational, and community considerations associated with potential future drawdowns and will remain engaged with LCRA and Lake Austin stakeholders as future opportunities are considered," the memo said.
The city noted it has received refund requests from permit applicants and will process those refunds.
Where can I learn more?
Water disputes like this one are playing out elsewhere in Texas and across the West. They highlight municipal shortages, local water-use disputes, and proposed regional cuts.
• In Corpus Christi, officials warned the city's water crisis could offer a grim preview of the future.
• In Fort Worth, residents urged a pause as a data center proposal raised water shortage fears.
• In Potosi, Texas, residents challenged a $4,500 meter demand tied to water service threats.
• Across the Southwest, Colorado River cuts could slash water deliveries to three states.
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