The City of Austin has prohibited recreational activity on several local waterways until Tuesday at 5 p.m. due to floodgate operations.

The City of Austin has issued a waterway ban effective immediately through Tuesday at 5 p.m. to ensure public safety during floodgate operations. The ban covers Lady Bird Lake, Lake Austin from Mansfield Dam to Tom Miller Dam, and the Colorado River downstream of Longhorn Dam. The Lower Colorado River Authority and Austin Water opened floodgates to manage a surge of water from recent storms. Officials warned that the resulting faster flows and increased debris make recreational, commercial, and navigational use of the water unsafe. The prohibition includes personal and commercial watercraft, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. Additionally, Travis County Judge Andy Brown signed a supplemental order banning recreational use on portions of the Pedernales River and Lake Travis between mile markers 27 and 37. While commercial operators are exempt from this specific county ban, Brown urged them to use extreme caution. Residents are also advised to avoid riverfront trails, which are susceptible to flash flooding as water levels rise.

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