Central Texas remains in serious drought even after recent rains

AUSTIN — Though recent rains raised levels in lakes Buchanan and Travis by several feet, Central Texas remains in a persistent, serious drought and water conservation remains vitally important to preserve the region’s water supply.

The Lower Colorado River Authority is urging people and businesses to reduce discretionary water use such as outdoor watering and eliminate waste such as watering sidewalks or letting indoor faucets run when they’re not in use.

Thanks to recent rains, the combined storage of the two water supply reservoirs in the Highland Lakes – lakes Buchanan and Travis – increased by 126,854 acre-feet, moving storage from 46% to 53% full from late May through mid-June. During that time, Lake Buchanan rose almost 6 feet, to 62% full, and Lake Travis rose more than 3 feet, to 45% full.