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Situation Report
SummaryLast Update: Jun 30 2009 11:33AM
  • SCROLL below for the latest info on dam and floodgate operations and lake and river forecasts. To view graphs of recent river levels, scroll to "River Levels and Forecasts" and click on the values in the column for "Current Stage".
This report is used to advise of flood operations on the Highland Lakes and will be updated when conditions warrant.

Please see the River Report for more information.

Unscheduled releases from LCRA-operated dams
Unscheduled releases could occur at any of the Highland Lakes dams without notice to maintain lake levels, pass flood flows, meet sudden demands for hydroelectric power, or for testing and maintenance of equipment. In the event of high energy demands in Texas, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) may call upon LCRA for hydroelectric generation at anytime without notice. Lakeside residents and lake users immediately downstream of the dams should take necessary precautions against possible high flows and higher lake levels.
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Current Lake Levels at Dams and Gate Operations
*Disclaimer: Data is automatically retrieved and subject to revision.
Lake/DamTimeHead Elevation (Above Dam)Tail Elevation (Below Dam)Gate Operations/Spillway
Buchanan/BuchananJul 2 2009 8:15PM1000.48887.56Jun 30 2009 11:33AM No gate operations for flood are expected. Floodgates may be partially opened for routine O&M at any time.
Inks/InksJul 2 2009 8:15PM887.42825.17Jun 30 2009 11:33AM No water is flowing over the spillway at Inks. Flow over the spillway in lieu of hydro-generation may occur at any time. (Inks Dam has a spillway, but no floodgates.)
LBJ/WirtzJul 2 2009 8:15PM824.64740.64Jun 30 2009 11:33AM No gate operations for flood are expected. Floodgates may be partially opened for routine O&M at any time.
Marble Falls/StarckeJul 2 2009 8:15PM736.52680.62Jun 30 2009 11:33AM No gate operations for flood are expected. Floodgates may be partially opened for routine O&M at any time.
Travis/MansfieldJul 2 2009 8:15PM642.75494.56Jun 30 2009 11:33AM No gate operations for flood are expected. Floodgates may be partially opened for routine O&M at any time.
Austin/MillerJul 2 2009 8:15PM492.31430.67Jun 30 2009 11:33AM No gate operations for flood are expected. Floodgates may be partially opened for routine O&M at any time.
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Lake Levels Over the Last 7 Days
*Disclaimer: Data is automatically retrieved and subject to revision.		 Floodgate Operations and Forecasts
Lake Buchanan
Last Update: Jun 30 2009 11:33AM

Inflows: Inflows are below levels that would require flood operations.

Gate Operations: No gate operations for flood are expected. Floodgates may be partially opened for routine O&M at any time.

Lake level forecast (Forecast is subject to change as conditions develop): Please see the River Report for current forecasts for Lake Buchanan.
Inks Lake
Last Update: Jun 30 2009 11:33AM

Inflows: Inflows are below levels that would require flood operations.

Spillway: No water is flowing over the spillway at Inks. Flow over the spillway in lieu of hydro-generation may occur at any time. (Inks Dam has a spillway, but no floodgates.)

Lake level forecast (Forecast is subject to change as conditions develop): Inks Lake is expected to remain within its normal operating range.
Lake LBJ
Last Update: Jun 30 2009 11:33AM

Inflows: Inflows are below levels that would require flood operations.

Gate Operations: No gate operations for flood are expected. Floodgates may be partially opened for routine O&M at any time.

Lake level forecast (Forecast is subject to change as conditions develop): Lake LBJ is expected to remain within its normal operating range.
Lake Marble Falls
Last Update: Jun 30 2009 11:33AM

Inflows: Inflows are below levels that would require flood operations.

Gate Operations: No gate operations for flood are expected. Floodgates may be partially opened for routine O&M at any time.

Lake level forecast (Forecast is subject to change as conditions develop): Lake Marble Falls is expected to remain within its normal operating range.
Lake Travis
Last Update: Jun 30 2009 11:33AM

Inflows: Inflows are below levels that would require flood operations.

Gate Operations: No gate operations for flood are expected. Floodgates may be partially opened for routine O&M at any time.

Lake level forecast (Forecast is subject to change as conditions develop): Please see the River Report for current forecasts for Lake Travis.
Lake Austin
Last Update: Jun 30 2009 11:33AM

Inflows: Inflows are below levels that would require flood operations.

Gate Operations: No gate operations for flood are expected. Floodgates may be partially opened for routine O&M at any time.

Lake level forecast (Forecast is subject to change as conditions develop): Lake Austin is expected to remain within its normal operating range.
LCRA does not own or operate Lady Bird Lake and Longhorn Dam. Lake levels are shown for information, but forecasts are not available.
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River Levels and Forecasts
River forecasts are provided by the National Weather Service River Forecast Center. Click on the "Forecast" link to view the forecast and other useful information for each location.
*Disclaimer: Data is automatically retrieved and subject to revision.
Bank Full Stage Flood Stage
Upper Basin LocationBank Full Stage(ft)Flood Stage(ft)Current Stage(ft)Current Flow(cfs)Latest Forecast And More
Colorado River at Winchell24.026.0 1.47 0Forecast
Pecan Bayou near Mullin20.040.0 1.18 43Forecast
San Saba River at Menard12.018.0 3.04 24Forecast
San Saba River near Brady16.030.0 2.29 29Forecast
San Saba River at San Saba20.024.0 2.45 23Forecast
Colorado River near San Saba25.030.0 1.93 39Forecast
Llano River near Junction12.016.0 1.75 86Forecast
Llano River near Mason6.013.0 1.07 220Forecast
Beaver Creek near Mason6.012.0 1.25 3Forecast
Llano River at Llano10.010.0 0.82 102Forecast
Sandy Creek near Kingsland8.012.0 4.91 0Forecast
Pedernales River near Fredericksburg12.022.0 5.17 5Forecast
Pedernales River near Johnson City13.014.0 10.22 5Forecast
Lower Basin LocationBank Full Stage(ft)Flood Stage(ft)Current Stage(ft)Current Flow(cfs)Latest Forecast And More
Barton Creek at Loop 360, Austin8.011.0 1.72 0Forecast
Colorado River at Austin16.024.0 7.21 4508Forecast
Onion Creek at Hwy 183, Austin15.017.0 3.92 4Forecast
Colorado River at Bastrop14.023.0 5.48 2972Forecast
Colorado River above La Grange19.026.0 6.89 2864Forecast
Colorado River at Columbus30.034.0 11.77 1874Forecast
Colorado River at Wharton20.039.0 9.31 602Forecast
Colorado River at Bay City23.044.0 1.45 180Forecast
San Bernard River at East Bernard13.017.0 6.06 0Forecast
Colorado River at Matagorda4.88.8 0.32  N/A
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Useful Links
LCRA Hydromet Real Time Data
http://hydromet.lcra.org/

LCRA Weather Summary
http://www.lcra.org/water/weather.html

How LCRA's System of Dams Works
http://www.lcra.org/water/system.html

Key elevations for Lake Travis during floods
http://www.lcra.org/water/flood/laketravisreleases.html

Austin - Travis County Information (Includes boating restrictions)
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/oem/oem_results.cfm

USGS Real-time Streamflow for Texas
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/current/?type=flow

USGS Real-time Lakes and Reservoirs for Texas
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/current?type=lake

NWS 5-day Rain Forecasts
http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/day1-5.shtml

NWS West Gulf River Forecast Center Quick Briefing
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/wgrfc/HMDmain.php

NWS San Angelo Weather Office and Flood Forecasts Map
http://ahps.srh.noaa.gov/index.php?wfo=sjt

NWS Austin/San Antonio Weather Office and Flood Forecasts Map
http://ahps.srh.noaa.gov/index.php?wfo=ewx

NWS Houston/Galveston Weather Office and Flood Forecasts Map
http://ahps.srh.noaa.gov/index.php?wfo=hgx

NWS Doppler Radars
http://radar.weather.gov/ridge/Conus/southplains.php
http://radar.weather.gov/ridge/Conus/full_loop.php

NWS Storm Prediction Center (Tornadoes and severe storms)
http://www.spc.noaa.gov

NWS National Hurricane Center (Hurricanes and tropical storms)
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov
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Words and Definitions

Water Glossary

Action Stage: The stage at which some sort of action is taken for a point along the river. Action Stage is different for all points depending on the community's needs - it may be flooding of secondary roads or just a "heads up" that the river is rising. Action Stage is determined by the National Weather Service. Sometimes used interchangeably with Bank Full Stage.

Bank Full Stage: The stage at which a river will not overflow its river banks or cause any significant damage within the river reach. Bank Full Stage is determined by the National Weather Service. Sometimes used interchangeably with action stage.

Cubic Feet per Second (cfs): A measure of streamflow. One CFS is equal to about 450 gallons per minute.

Elevation: The height of water in a lake or reservoir above mean sea level.

Flash Flood: A flood which follows within a few hours of heavy or excessive rainfall.

Flash Flood Warning: Flash flooding has been reported or is imminent – take necessary precautions.

Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible within the designated watch area – be alert.

Floodgates: Solid gates that are opened as needed to release floodwaters.

Flood Stage: The stage at which roads or buildings begin to get affected. Flood Stage is determined by the National Weather Service.

Hydrogeneration: Using water that is passed through a dam to generate electrical power with a turbine.

Mean Sea Level (msl): The elevation of the ocean halfway between high and low tide. Elevations are measured in feet above mean sea level as a point of reference.

Operating Range: The elevations between which the lakes are operated during normal conditions. Lake levels can fluctuate outside of these ranges at times.

Pass-Through Lakes: Lakes designed to allow water to pass through as opposed to being stored. Pass-through lakes do not have a constant level. Lakes Inks, LBJ, Marble Falls and Austin are "pass-through" lakes.

Spillway: The area of a dam that is designed to allow water to flow freely over it.

Stage: The height of water flowing in a river above a nearby reference point, for example, the height of the water above the river bed.

Please call the LCRA river and lake information line at 1-800-776-5272 for more information.
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