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12:30 PM Update: Authorities have extended the ban on using the Austin waterways, including Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake, until next week, announced on Thursday. Austin Fire Department in a statement.
The floodwaters released by the Mansfield Dam help reduce the rising waters of Lake Travis, but also cause dangerously high flows downstream.
"These conditions created high and fast waters, associated with debris, that made use of all streams for recreational, commercial and navigation purposes, including all streams of the city of
Austin dangerous, "said the Austin Fire Chief in his statement.
The waterways that will remain closed until Tuesday noon for commercial and recreational purposes are:
The entire Lake Austin, from the Mansfield Dam to the Tom Miller Dam.
Lady Bird Lake
The Colorado River in Austin which is downstream of the Longhorn Dam.
All the coves of the city of Austin
The authorities warn that any boat illegally operating on these waters during the ban could be seized.
11:30 am update: The Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center has been activated, with officials monitoring the potential for severe weather and rising waters on Highland Lakes.
Austin residents should have an emergency plan and supplies in case of bad weather, the city said.
Municipal authorities also advise monitoring the weather and news reports to keep abreast of conditions.
Authorities have indicated that an updated interactive map of road closures can be found on www.ATXFloods.com.
Residents can sign up for official emergency alerts on WarnCentralTexas.org and get real-time information on Austin's social media channels and website.
Additional information on flooding is available at FloodStatus.LCRA.org and ATXFloodSafety.com.
Update from 10 am: The Lower Colorado Authority indicates that it will not need to open other Mansfield Dam gates to evacuate the area. Travis lake water swollen on Thursday.
"It's still possible that we had to open up four additional valves over the next few days," said the Highland Lakes management agency in a statement.
LCRA added that it was monitoring weather forecasts and water flow for the Highland Lakes.
"We will immediately inform the public and local authorities if we need to open other gates at Mansfield Dam," the agency said.
LCRA has stated that Lake Travis is expected to rise between 705 and 710 feet above mean sea level by Friday.
"All those who are likely to be affected by the floods on Highland Lakes and the rising levels downstream of Lake Travis must take immediate steps to preserve their property and that of their property," said Lt.-Mar. agency in a statement.
LCRA said that under normal conditions, the water released from Mansfield Dam would take about a day to get to Bastrop, two days to Columbus, four days to Wharton and at least five days to reach Matagorda. flood.
Since releases from Lake Travis can cause higher levels in Austin and Lady Bird lakes, these Austin trails and waterways remain closed to the public:
Butler hike and bike path
Barton Springs
Lake Austin
Lake Travis
Red bus Isle
All waterways, including Lady Bird Lake and Barton Creek Greenbelt
Colorado River downstream of Longhorn Dam
Earlier, four more Travis Lake gates may be open by noon, as the Mansfield Dam reservoir elevation is expected to rise to 710 feet above mean sea level, the Lower Colorado River Authority said .
Lady Bird Lake, downstream from Travis Lake, is expected to rise once water is released from the gates. The city of Austin, via its Twitter account ATXfloods, said that two sites located along the river could be closed to traffic in case of flood: Cesar Chavez Street at Lamar Boulevard in downtown from Austin and Pleasant Valley Road to Longhorn Dam in East Austin.
Since Sunday, several inches of rain have fallen on the Hill Country, an area already saturated since a month of September wetter than normal. Runoff flows into tributaries, including the inflated Llano River, which feeds the Highland Lakes along the Colorado River, including Lake Travis.
The floodwaters released from dams upstream of the Colorado River raised Lake Travis's elevation to 701 feet above mean sea level beginning Thursday morning, which is 20 feet above sea level. of what is considered "full" for the tank, according to LCRA. The current reservoir of about 1.57 million acre-feet of water stored in the reservoir places the lake about 39% above its capacity.
With any additional clearance for Thursday, eight gates will open at the Mansfield Dam, setting the record for Lake Travis. The Mansfield Dam and Tom Miller gates were opened Tuesday at noon, and the fourth Mansfield Gate was opened at 7 pm
Eight gates were also opened on Buchanan Lake.
The Highland Lakes, which include Buchanan Lake, Inks Lake, LBJ Lake, Marble Falls, Lake Travis and Lake Austin, are closed due to unsafe conditions.
"The rains and the historic influxes into the lakes this week are causing fast and high flows in the Highlands Lakes. Anyone nearby should be extremely careful," said LCRA.
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