Dont' know if this has been posted or if anyone cares but I do and we just found out about this and I thoght I would pass some information along.

My family as been fortunate enough to own a small lot on Lake Travis since 82' and we are back in a cove so we really are being affected by the (greedy) LCRA. I know Lake Travis is and always will be water a regulating Lake (as well as Lake Buchanan) but this has gone to far in my mind.

L.C.R.A. has since bought up a bunch of the M.U.D. disctrcits around Cedat Park, Leander and Georgetown and are in the process of selling more water out of Lake Travis to feed them.

There is a website called drainlaketravis.org and you can go an protest from there. There are some very distubing information on this event. I know we are in a drought and I know Lake Travis is not a constant Lake but this is just crazy.

There is too much to say everyhting but if you like the Lake (for boating, skiing) or Fishing please send a letter to the Texas govt. per the website.

Thanks,

Have you seen Lake Texana lately? It's dry b/c Corpus Christi is using all the water.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the point of just about every lake in Texas sans Caddo is to provide water to the citizens thereof. Recreation is a great and important "side effect", but it is secondary.

Given the drought and general state of water in Texas, dropping lake levels isn't surprising.

Not sure you will get much support from the folks here. We love our fishing and boating as much as the next guy, but with the kind of drought we are having - that all takes a back burner.

Unfortunate, yes. Makes those who've purchased lots on constant level lakes such as LBJ and Marble Falls look like geniuses.

Yea got some freinds in El Campo and pass through there going to deer camp this past season. Can not believe it.

Yes but Lake Travis in the past was only used for the Rice farmers, Austin water needs and letting so much fresh water into the matagorda bay. That was fine.

For example and forgive me for the years but we went dry in the fall of 2000 and in the spring of 2001 we got a flood and had water until 2 summers ago. We got another flood in the spring of 2007 and filled back up again.

Up until the last two years whenever LCRA pulled water from the Lake espcially when it was full @ 681 feet above sea level, they might have pulled 3-6 inches out of water per week. This was not a problem because small rains over time would keep the lake filled or at somewhat of a constant.

Now since the greedy bastads just wnat to fill there back pockets they are selling it to who ever want to buy it. For example last year at this time we were @ 683 feet above sea level, buy August of 2008 we were down to were we are now 653. That is thrity feet change where in the past we may have lost 15 feet in an entire calender year.

Boating, fishing, etc are not the primary purposes of lakes in Texas. You're pissed at the LCRA for doing just what Lake Travis was damned and intended to do.

by the way, i'm not sure SHAGS understands just how sever a drought we're in right now. could very wel become the worst, most sever ever on record this summer.

I know what the Lake was designed for. As I mentioned in my last statement, but for them to go and sell it to whoever they want is not right or legal from what I have read, but since they own the rights to the lake they can do whatever they see fit I guess.

Yea would have been better to get property on another lake such as LBJ, Marble Falls or Inks but they did what they could afford.

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Now since the greedy bastads just wnat to fill there back pockets they are selling it to who ever want to buy it.

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Capitalist Pigs!

Ducks, I completely understand what kind of drought where in and have experienced it first hand not only up there at the Lake but also at the ranch in Caldwell.

I know you post alot and respect your comments on most things, so if your tring to be a smart a$$ then please go away.

I just thought I would pass some info to others who might have a place up there an not know what is going on.

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but for them to go and sell it to whoever they want is not right or legal from what I have read

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The LCRA isn't some fly-by-night operation; you can bet that they did their due-diligence and then some about any and all transactions entered into.

It sux. I agree but I am 99% sure it's legal.

That's the risk of buying lake front property on a seasonal lake.

I'm not trying to be a smart ass.

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Lake Travis was damned

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Oh really Ducks???

Actually the Colorado was damned...

If you think Travis is bad, you should take a look at Canyon. Only 3 or 4 ramps out of 14-ish are even open at this point.

It's going to be a fun summer!'

How's Buchanan looking?

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But for them to go and sell it to whoever they want is not right or legal from what I have read

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then you are reading it wrong. water in texas, whether it be surface or subsurface, can be sold by whoever owns it to whom ever they want.

subsurface is known as the law of the biggest pump. and the same mentality goes for surface water as well.

sorry.

^

thanks Dr. Kaiser

http://www.rpts.tamu.edu/facultystaff/faculty/kaiserinfo.htm

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^
That may be an overgeneralization, but it's in the right vein.

I'm running blind, and I'm too busy to look it up, but the dam was likely a Bureau of Reclamation project, and as such it has federal enabling legislation that would detail the specific purposes for which the impounded water may be used. In addition, at time of construction/renovation local governmental entities may contract with the Bureau (or Corps if Travis is a COE lake) to build in additional storage, which they must pay for. If they choose to do so, they can utilize the water for the approved purpose (usually municipal use).

So as for the "greedy bastids lining their pockets" arugment, they are only exercising options that they purchased at the time of dam construction.

If they drain the lake, will the sips finally be able to get their old cannon back (or was that lake Austin)?

Thunder:

actually it was Dr. Haan who taught me that.

http://baen.tamu.edu/users/haan/

If you want to try to make a difference, get involved in water conservation / education.

Lakes vary, but in many cases, the majority of water distributed from lakes ends up running off of lawns and other landscapes down curbs and into the storm system.

Canyon is only 12 feet below pool as we speak.

Buchanan is 15 feet low.

Travis, 27 feet low.

Granger, 4 feet low.

Medina is 23 feet low.

Choke Canyon, out in the desert, is holding well at 6 feet low.

Ironically, Falcon and Amistad are above pool level.

If I lived in San Antonio, I would be outraged that the botanical gardens are free from restriction...

http://www.draininglaketravis.org/

I take no responsibility for what is on this website...but I noticed it wasn't posted.

However - many think that the LCRA is taking on too many obligations to provide water to a growing population. With the growing population of Cedar Park/Leander - it is an important issue.

[This message has been edited by Husky Boy Jr. (edited 3/2/2009 5:02p).]

+1

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If you want to try to make a difference, get involved in water conservation / education.

Lakes vary, but in many cases, the majority of water distributed from lakes ends up running off of lawns and other landscapes down curbs and into the storm system.

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You would be amazed at what we do with our precious water.

look at this and tell me you are seriously worried about there not being enough water in lake travis to water ski....there is WAY more at stake here than just recreational stuff...

figured it was worth a shot chili, Dr. Kaiser loved to talk about some water law. really interesting class

SHAGS, I don't think greed is playing a roll in this. They are now selling water to areas that are in great need of water.

If, like you say, you understand the purpose of the lake, then this argument is moot.

If this drought continues I don't think we'll be seeing any water being used for lawn watering.

Was it Summer '01 that the only things on campus that got watered were the Golf Course and Kyle Field?

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just how sever a drought we're in right now. could very wel become the worst, most sever ever on record this summer.

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EXACTLY

If it does get drained maybe I can find the keys to my Bronco.

Being from Central Texas, the only thing that would break a drought was a Hurricane or Tropical Storm. We would always hope for one to land between Corpus and Brownsville, so that it would end up cutting through the center of Texas. Hurrican Allen ended our drought in 79. And I can't remember which storm ended the drought in the Summer of 80.

Thunder,

It was a good guess. What major were you if you dont mind me asking?