The Lower Colorado River Authority will open two floodgates at Mansfield Dam on Saturday to manage rising water levels in Lake Travis.
The Lower Colorado River Authority will open at least two floodgates at Mansfield Dam on Saturday following heavy rains in the Hill Country. This action marks the first time the agency has opened these gates to manage water levels since 2019. Lake Travis reached its full capacity of 681 feet on Friday evening, prompting the transition into its "flood pool." To prepare for the release, the Lower Colorado River Authority plans to open a floodgate at Tom Miller Dam on Friday afternoon. Additionally, multiple floodgates at the Wirtz Dam and Starcke Dam remain open to facilitate water flow. While the reservoir is not in immediate danger of running out of space, the Lower Colorado River Authority warns that downstream currents will be fast and water levels will be higher. These releases are designed to manage the surge while balancing the needs of the regional water supply and downstream conditions.