LMUD Update: 4th of July Weekend Flood

LMUD Customers’ Water Remains Safe Thanks to Intensive System Maintenance Activities Over the Holiday Weekend

When you live here long enough, you learn that flooding is a common occurrence in Central Texas, particularly in the Texas Hill Country, which is often referred to as “Flash Flood Alley” due to its frequent and intense flash floods. In the midst of unrelenting heat and low water levels we pray for the next downpour to fill our lakes, but the reality of this intense weather event can lead to lives being lost among widespread destruction. Our hearts and prayers go out to all who have been adversely affected this past weekend and our gratitude extends to all of those who come to their aid. Our own team worked relentlessly, day and night, Friday through Sunday, and extra efforts continue in order to keep our water and wastewater systems running smoothly. The reliability of your water and sanitary sewer services remain our top priority, giving you one less thing to think about. Please thank our water and wastewater operators and field team members the next time you see them. They, too are emergency response workers, supporting environmental and public health initiatives.

The Highland Lakes region of Texas has long experienced a challenging climate pattern marked by extended periods of drought interrupted by sudden flash flooding. This cycle is driven by the area’s semi-arid climate and the erratic nature of rainfall in Central Texas, where prolonged dry spells can stretch for months or years, depleting lake levels and stressing water supplies. Then, without warning, the region can receive massive downpours in a matter of hours, overwhelming dry creek beds and causing rivers and reservoirs to surge. This feast-or-famine water cycle poses ongoing challenges for water resource planning, agriculture, infrastructure, and public safety throughout the region. Read our recent column in the Lake Travis View about managing demands on the Texas Colorado River here.

As of 12:53pm on Mon. 7/7/2025, LCRA announced they have partially opened one floodgate at both Wirtz and Starcke (pictured above) dams to release storm runoff flowing into Lake LBJ from the Llano River. Flows downstream will be higher than usual downstream of the dams. Image Source: LCRA

Disrupting festive plans for parades and backyard barbeques, this past weekend’s record-breaking wave of intense rainfall triggered rapid rises in rivers across Central Texas. Latest reports suggest at least 82 fatalities have been confirmed, with 40+ people still missing. More than 850 people have been rescued, and federal aid has been activated following a major disaster declaration by President Trump and Governor Abbott. This event, fed by the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry and exacerbated by “training” thunderstorms over our drought‑hardened terrain, is emerging as one of the deadliest flash floods in Texas since the 1920s.

Locally, in strategic response to manage rapid inflows, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) initiated emergency floodgate operations in the Highland Lakes, at Wirtz Dam (Lake LBJ) and Starcke Dam (Lake Marble Falls) on Friday evening. All 10 floodgates at Starcke Dam were deployed to hasten the movement of stormwater into Lake Travis, Lakeway’s only source for raw drinking water, which has currently risen by almost 20 feet. LMUD water and wastewater operators made extra rounds this weekend, going out on Lake Travis, to ensure our water intake barges remained operational amidst this rapid rise in water levels. Water treatment at our water plant is continually being adjusted to account for increased turbidity and debris.

During emergency events, such as flash flooding, our water & wastewater operators and field team personnel act quickly to protect public health and maintain reliable service for our customers. They monitor systems for damage, secure critical infrastructure, and may isolate affected service lines. Operators check water quality and ensure disinfection systems are functioning. Wastewater systems are also inspected. These efforts help ensure safe drinking water and responsible wastewater management during and after emergency events.

LCRA operates six dams on the lower Colorado River in Central Texas: Buchanan, Inks, Wirtz, Starcke, Mansfield, and Tom Miller. These dams form the six Highland Lakes: Buchanan, Inks, LBJ, Marble Falls, Travis, and Austin. Two of the Highland Lakes – Buchanan and Travis – are the region’s water supply reservoirs to serve more than 1 million people as well as business, industries, the environment, and agriculture in the lower Colorado River basin. Image Source: LCRA, Infographic Source: LMUD

LCRA is currently strongly advising people to stay off the Highland Lakes the next few days to avoid flood debris, fast-moving flows, and bacteria levels that traditionally increase after a flood event. Ongoing flash flood watches and emergency warnings remain in effect as additional storms in the area threaten already saturated soils. You can follow LCRA’s Hydromet for the latest real-time data on rainfall, streamflow, and lake levels.

Watering restrictions will be adjusted shortly, but please refrain from excess irrigation until soils are less saturated and water operations have time to get back to normal schedules. We encourage our customers, through drought and abundance, to always use water wisely because, as was stated by Paul Yura, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio office at an LMUD Open House event, when we get enough rain to fill our lakes, we need to hold on to it as long as possible; we never know how long it will need to last before the lakes are filled again.