Narrows Recreation Area at Lake Travis near Austin
Impact of drought on Highland Lakes
Significant drought has lowered lake levels in Central and South Texas. According to LCRA,
Owners of Highland Lakes-area businesses are often the first to suffer from lower lake levels, which have caused countless boat ramps and docks to become unusable at lakes Buchanan and Travis, the two water supply reservoirs of the Highland Lakes/Colorado River system. With anglers, boaters and recreational users staying away, businesses and lake communities are suffering from an economic slowdown.
Lakes Buchanan and Travis are just over half-full, and lake levels overall are sixth lowest for the month of January.
LCRA has produced an 8-minute video about current drought conditions.
Inks Lake is Drought-Proof
One bit of good news: Inks Lake is relatively unaffected by drought. It's a constant-level lake; its level seldom varies by more than a foot in any given year. The lake doesn't recede from the shoreline, and recreation (sailing, skiing, scuba, fishing, etc.) is unaffected.
More information about Inks Lake at