The City of Austin has issued a temporary waterway ban on several local bodies of water until Tuesday afternoon due to recent heavy rains.

The City of Austin has prohibited recreational and commercial use of several major waterways until 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 21. The ban was implemented to ensure public safety as recent storms in the Texas Hill Country caused water levels to rise, resulting in faster flows and increased debris. The restrictions apply to Lake Austin from Mansfield Dam to Tom Miller Dam, Lady Bird Lake, and the Colorado River downstream of Longhorn Dam. Affected vessels include personal and commercial watercraft, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and motorized surfboards. Additionally, city officials are urging the public to avoid riverfront trails, which are susceptible to flash flooding. These measures follow floodgate operations by the Lower Colorado River Authority and Austin Water. While the Highland Lakes system is moving water in an orderly manner, the surge makes navigation hazardous. In a related move, Travis County Judge Andy Brown signed a supplemental order banning recreational activity on specific portions of the Pedernales River and Lake Travis.

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