Austin Waterways Closed Through Tuesday as Floodgates Release a Post-Storm Surge
Lady Bird Lake, Lake Austin and the Colorado River are off-limits while the LCRA moves floodwater downstream. Here’s what’s closed, why, and where else in Central Texas you can still get out on the water.
Following this week’s historic Hill Country flooding, the City of Austin has banned all watercraft — kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, wet bikes and motorized boats alike — on Lady Bird Lake, Lake Austin between Mansfield and Tom Miller dams, and the Colorado River downstream of Longhorn Dam.
The ban runs until 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The closure is tied directly to floodgate operations at the Highland Lakes dams.
Lake Travis rose to its full conservation-pool elevation of 681 feet overnight Friday into Saturday — reaching 104% of capacity, its fullest point since 2019. To relieve the pressure, the Lower Colorado River Authority began opening floodgates at Wirtz, Starcke, Tom Miller and Mansfield dams, sending a fast-moving surge of storm runoff and debris down through Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake and the Colorado River.
BREAKING NEWS
Lake Travis Elevation vs. Conservation Pool (July 17–19, 2026)
| Date | Elevation (ft above mean sea level) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Jul 17 | ~674 | Rising fast from Hill Country storm inflows |
| Fri, Jul 18 | ~679 | Approaching conservation pool |
| Sat, Jul 19 (gates open) | ~681.5 | 104% of capacity; floodgates opened at Mansfield Dam |
Conservation pool (full) is 681 ft. Figures above are approximate, based on reported milestones rather than exact hourly gauge data — check LCRA’s hydromet page for precise readings.
Why it’s dangerous: the city warns that faster currents and floating debris make the water “unsafe” even where it looks calm from shore. Austin police say people have continued to ignore the ban and are urging everyone to stay off the water and away from riverfront trails until it’s lifted.
What’s Actually Closed
| Waterway | Status |
|---|---|
| Lady Bird Lake | Closed until 5 p.m. Tuesday |
| Lake Austin (Mansfield to Tom Miller Dam) | Closed until 5 p.m. Tuesday |
| Colorado River below Longhorn Dam | Closed until 5 p.m. Tuesday |
| Portions of Lake Travis & Pedernales River | Closed by Travis County order |
Where to Paddle Instead
If you still want a day on the water, a few nearby lakes sit outside the Colorado River system and its floodgate releases — though conditions can change fast, so check local advisories before heading out.
| Spot | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Lake Pflugerville | Small city reservoir with a swim beach; unaffected by Highland Lakes releases |
| Lake Georgetown | Clear Corps of Engineers lake on the San Gabriel River, north of Austin |
| Walter E. Long Lake (Decker Lake) | East Austin reservoir popular for kayaking and fishing |
| Stillhouse Hollow Lake | Deep, clear lake near Belton, outside the flooded watershed |
For the latest closures and reopening times, check the City of Austin’s emergency management page and LCRA’s floodgate updates before you go.
Also, Travis County Parks has updated information.
Sources:
Across the Texas Hill Country, the work of recovery began again this week — this time compounded by grief still fresh from a year ago.
For the second year in a row, the region is facing a long recovery after devastating floods, with close to 30 inches of rain falling over parts of south central Texas in just three days.
Texas Game Wardens have completed 153 rescues and 92 evacuations in Bandera, Comal, Crockett, Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Kerr, Kimble, LaSalle, Maverick, Medina, Real, Uvalde, Val Verde and Zavala counties and surrounding areas.
A second death was confirmed amid the flooding, and Governor Greg Abbott has urged residents to remain cautious.
By Friday morning, the rain had slowed and floodwaters along the Guadalupe River and elsewhere had begun receding, giving communities a much-needed break.
Officials are now assessing widespread damage, restoring infrastructure, and monitoring rivers that remain above flood stage in some areas.
Even though the rain has ended across much of Central Texas, officials in Llano say the flooding threat is not over.
On the ground, the response has echoed scenes from a year earlier: fences lined with debris and personal belongings, cars strewn about, and water lines marking the sides of homes.
The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has launched a new flood relief fund to support long-term recovery, with its CEO noting that many residents are once again facing hardship just a year after the catastrophic July 2025 floods.
Just weeks after the community gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Flat Rock Park memorial cross honoring those lost in the July 4, 2025, flood now lies on its back after the July 16 flooding swept through the park. (Kerrville Daily Times)
Businesses in Kingsland along the Llano River are dealing with debris and muddy water.
Austin Pets Alive! has taken in over 270 animals over the past four days as flood response efforts expand across Central Texas, with teams now on the ground in Uvalde and in a neighborhood in Crystal City.
The state’s largest private employer is there for Texans in need.
A group of people marched Saturday through downtown Austin to protest against Donald Trump’s government, including its deportation policy and ICE detention tactics.
A two-vehicle crash caused a rollover on U.S. Highway 183 in Mustang Ridge Saturday. At least one person was injured and transported to a local hospital with unknown injuries. The exact number and severity were not immediately released.
A separate accident on Ed Bluestein Blvd/183 and E US 290 Saturday was reported.
A 10-acre brush fire in Blanco County Saturday was started by embers from a burn pile. Members of the Burnet County ESD 9 assisted in the effort.
WEATHER
SATURDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTUN-BERSGTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
A new tropical system has formed off Florida’s west coast, and forecasters say it’s on track to strengthen into Tropical Storm Bertha as it makes its way toward the Gulf Coast.
Summer camp safety requirements – After the tragedy at Camp Mystic, lawmakers and regulators enacted new safety requirements for Texas youth camps. Arezow Doost traveled to Kerr County during this week’s flooding to see how camps responded, what safety measures were in place, and how operators handled another high-water event.
The fatal ICE shooting of an unarmed Houston construction contractor has reignited debate over immigration enforcement, transparency and accountability in Texas.
U.S. Representative Sylvia Garcia and Houston Chronicle reporter Julian Aguilar discuss the conflicting accounts of the shooting, the calls for an independent investigation, similarities to the shooting in Maine, and the broader political fallout.
Also, a breakdown of the renewed effort by Texas Republicans to ban THC products after Governor Greg Abbott’s vetoed their ban last year.
Plus, a rare public campaign stop from Senate candidate Ken Paxton shows how he’s going to use a classic GOP line of attack in his battle against Democratic challenger James Talarico in one of the hottest races in the nation.
(Episode from July 16, 2026)
Nearly a year after the July 4, 2025, floods in the Texas Hill Country, the families of children and counselors killed at Camp Mystic are still seeking accountability and pushing for stronger safety standards.
(Episode from July 10, 2026)
SPORTS
World Cup Wrap: England Stuns France in Six-Goal Thriller, Sets Stage for Spain-Argentina Final
2026 FIFA WORLD CUP: England produced a stunning second-half comeback to beat France 6-4 in Saturday’s third-place playoff, erasing a four-goal halftime deficit in one of the most dramatic finishes of the tournament.
Now, all eyes turn to today’s main event: the World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina, kicking off this afternoon.
Spain arrives in ominous form, having not conceded a goal in either of their knockout-stage wins over Belgium and France. Argentina, meanwhile, leans on the momentum of back-to-back victories over Switzerland and England to reach their second final in three tournaments.
It promises to be a captivating clash of styles — Spain’s patient, possession-based approach against Argentina’s dynamic counter-attacking threat — with a World Cup title on the line this afternoon.
MLB: It was a split night for Texas’s two MLB clubs on Saturday. The Rangers rallied on the road, beating the Braves 7-6 in Atlanta to bounce back after Friday’s 15-1 blowout loss. The Astros, meanwhile, couldn’t solve Baltimore’s pitching at Minute Maid Park, falling 4-2 to the Orioles for their second straight loss in that series.
Brandon Nimmo’s two-run single in the sixth inning gave Texas the lead as the Rangers rallied from an early deficit to beat the Atlanta Braves 7-6 on Saturday in a matchup of first-place teams. (Associated Press)
Gunnar Henderson scored the tiebreaking run from second base on Tyler O’Neill’s infield single with two outs in the 11th inning, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Houston Astros 4-2 on Saturday for their sixth straight victory. (Associated Press)
ON THE SCHEDULE
The Texas Longhorns could strengthen their offensive line as veteran Cole Hutson files a lawsuit seeking an extra year of NCAA eligibility. If successful, Hutson’s return would inject invaluable experience—23 career starts and 48 appearances—into a unit that struggled with depth last season.
Music is as true to Texas tradition as the Alamo and bluebonnets on I-10. From Texas blues in the Panhandle to Conjunto in the Valley — every Texan has a sound. Texas music celebrates the wide range of what it means to be a Texan.
This week, Texas Country Reporter brings you six toe-tappin’ stories featuring acoustic guitars, family bands, and that one red dirt country record you forgot about. Spontaneous two-step outbreaks are encouraged upon viewing.
