Sun Jul 06 13:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Lake Travis Surges 15 Feet After Texas Flooding

**AUSTIN, TX -** Lake Travis has experienced a dramatic rise in water levels following torrential rainfall that triggered deadly flooding across the Texas Hill Country over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. According to data released by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), the lake has risen more than 15 feet since Friday morning.

As of Saturday afternoon, Lake Travis’s surface elevation at Mansfield Dam reached 653 feet above mean sea level, a significant jump from 637.56 feet recorded the previous day. The LCRA anticipates the lake level will continue to climb in the coming days as floodwaters from tributaries flow into the lake. While still below the “full” mark of 681 feet, the surge highlights the severity of the recent rainfall and its impact on the Highland Lakes system.

The LCRA is currently engaged in flood operations to manage water levels across the Highland Lakes, a chain of lakes formed by dams along the Colorado River. Floodwaters overwhelmed the Guadalupe River and key tributaries like the Llano and Pedernales rivers, leading to the significant influx into the lakes.

Currently, the LCRA has two floodgates open at both Wirtz Dam (Lake LBJ) and Starcke Dam (Lake Marble Falls) to release excess water downstream, although some closures were expected Saturday evening. Water had previously flowed over the spillway at Inks Dam (Inks Lake) but ceased by Saturday afternoon.

The LCRA is urging the public to avoid boating and swimming in the Highland Lakes due to dangerous flood debris, strong currents, and elevated bacteria levels. John Hofmann, the LCRA’s executive vice president of water, stressed the importance of avoiding the lakes, particularly at night, due to damaged or destroyed navigational buoys. “This is especially important at night when visibility is reduced, as some of the navigational buoys that help guide boaters have been damaged or destroyed in the flooding,” said Hofmann.

The LCRA continues to monitor the situation and manage water releases to mitigate further flooding downstream. Residents are advised to stay informed about changing lake conditions and heed all warnings from local authorities.

Read More