As of August 11, Lakes Buchanan and Travis—cornerstones of the Highland Lakes water supply system—remain near capacity, offering a reassuring buffer amid ongoing dry conditions. Buchanan stands at 1,019.71 feet msl, just shy of its conservation pool elevation of 1,020 feet, while Travis holds at 674.92 feet msl, below its 681-foot conservation threshold. Together, the two lakes are 94% full, storing over 1.87 million acre-feet of water.

Despite healthy lake levels, LCRA’s 2020 Water Management Plan continues to restrict agricultural water releases to most customers in Colorado, Wharton, and Matagorda counties. The decision, announced in March, reflects a cautious approach to long-term supply sustainability.

Upstream inflows remain modest, with just 874 acre-feet entering the Highland Lakes yesterday. Downstream, the Colorado River flows steadily through Austin, Bastrop, and La Grange, supporting environmental needs and municipal use. Releases from Buchanan and Travis totaled over 2,200 acre-feet on August 10, timed to meet demand and maintain ecological balance.

Freshwater inflows to Matagorda Bay have exceeded monthly thresholds since January, with July alone contributing over 53,000 acre-feet. However, tidal influences at the Bay City gauge continue to complicate flow measurements, prompting LCRA to rely on upstream data for accuracy.

As the region navigates another dry season, the Highland Lakes system remains a vital reservoir of resilience—capturing rain when it falls and sustaining communities when it doesn’t.