- HubPages»
- Travel and Places»
- Visiting North America»
- United States»
- Texas
Lake Travis Before and After The Drought in Texas
The Drought
Click thumbnail to view full-sizeDo You Remember?
It was just last August of 2009, that the Texas Hill Country was in a terrible drought. Lake Travis was only half full and the surrounding area was so dry that trees were dying from lack of water. We were able to walk on an area of dry lake bottom to find that only a small stream of water was flowing where the waters once stood. In the middle of the lake, islands were popping up and actually causing blockages in the lake for boat traffic. Boat ramps were closed and unusable. Entrance gates to the lake parks were abandoned because there was no water for recreation. The large city of Austin was straining the lake with its water usage. Predictions for the lake to be completely dry were being made. This drought lasted for two years.
After the Drought
Click thumbnail to view full-sizeAnd Then It Rained
In September of 2009, it began to rain! No, we did not have two weeks of downpours. We had a few days of slow soaking rain and then sunshine. This pattern repeated itself time and time again. It is the end of February 2010 and we are still in that pattern of weather. The rain is needed and the sunshine that follows is appreciated.
The lake is almost full. The boat docks are once again floating in their rightful spot. The marinas proudly display their array of boats with easy access to the deep waters of Lake Travis. Most of the dry land, once uncovered, is now under water. As the next rainy days approach, the remaining land waits patiently to once again be covered with the rising waters.
Parks are once again charging entrance fees on weekends. They usually open all week around Memorial Day. Boat trailers sit in the parking lots surrounding the boat ramps, waiting for their owners to once again claim them. The air is still cool and therefore the parks have few sunseekers basking in the rays.
It has been quite a season of healing in this Texas Hill Country lake. We are once again a choice vacation spot. If your travels bring you to the area, you won't be disappointed. Per the weatherman, the bluebonnets are supposed to be glorious this year. I plan on taking lots of pictures. Stay tuned for a hub on this prized Texas Hill Country flower in the weeks to follow.
LAKE TRAVIS IS 99% FULL!
AT LAST!
The weatherman has announced that Lake Travis is now ninety-nine percent full! It is exciting to see the lake full, the docks where they should be, and the parks open. Does it get much better than this?
May 2010
Click thumbnail to view full-sizeFull and More Full Lake Travis
The rains have filled Lake Travis entirely. I heard the Weatherman report that we reached 101% at some point. Lake Buchanan, located north of Lake Travis, is still refilling. The LCRA has released some water in this lake to keep the levels close to the full range. If they had not, the lake would most likely be much higher.
The pictures to the right indicate a full lake and very short boat ramps compared to a year ago. The once dry grassy areas are now submerged under water and the lake parks are open for business to the public. Life is good in Austin, Texas.