Lake Travis is staying closed to recreational boaters: that’s the latest word from the Lower Colorado River Authority.

Although it’s down ten feet from last Friday’s peak of 701.52 feet above mean sea level (the fifth highest level ever), the flood pool at Travis is still ten feet deep in water. That means most public boat ramps are still submerged. Plus there’s worries about debris and potential risks to marina owners and lakeside residents who might be making repairs.

Because water (and debris) flows downstream, that means no boating in Austin either. The city is keeping Lake Austin, Town Lake, and the Colorado River below Longhorn Dam shut as long as the LCRA keeps the floodgates on the Mansfield and Tom Miller Dams open. The LCRA is saying that it may close those gates this coming week, but only if there’s no more rain in the hill country.

In good news for swimmers, as least Barton Springs is open again. Just in time for tomorrow’s free swim day and public forum on the new masterplan for the historic swimming hole.

This article appears in July 13 • 2007.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US

The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.