Managing Texas's lifeline —
the Colorado River.
From the headwaters to Matagorda Bay, LCRA manages water supply, flood control, and quality for the lower Colorado River basin.
The Highland Lakes
Six reservoirs. One managed system.
Stretching from Lake Buchanan to Lake Austin, LCRA operates the Highland Lakes as one coordinated chain for water supply, flood control, hydroelectric power, and recreation.
Primary water storage reservoir
Lake Buchanan
Hydroelectric & state park
Inks Lake
Constant-level recreation
Lake LBJ
Constant-level recreation
Lake Marble Falls
Flood control reservoir
Lake Travis
Downstream constant-level
Lake Austin
Programs & Services
Every drop, every flood, every rebate.
Water Supply & Planning
LCRA develops long-term water plans for the lower Colorado River basin and operates raw-water supply contracts for municipalities, industries, and irrigation.
Highland Lakes
Six Highland Lakes — Buchanan, Inks, LBJ, Marble Falls, Travis, and Austin — are managed as one integrated system.
Flood Management
Real-time river monitoring, floodgate operations, and public notification through the alert system protect communities along the Colorado.
Water Quality
Texas Clean Rivers Program monitoring, the Colorado River Watch Network, and permit review safeguard the river.
WaterSmart Conservation
Rebates, landscape guidelines, commercial programs, and irrigation best practices help Texans use water wisely.
Permits & Contracts
Dock and marina permits, dredge/fill ordinance, watershed management, on-site sewage, and water-supply contracts.
Drought Response
Water-use restrictions, curtailment protocols, and drought-contingency plans activated based on Highland Lakes storage triggers.
Recreation & Safety
Boat ramp information, lake safety tips, and consejos de seguridad support safe enjoyment of LCRA lakes.
Real-time Data
Hydromet — the river's pulse.
LCRA's Hydromet system publishes lake levels, stream flow, rainfall, and temperature data every 15 minutes from hundreds of gauges across central Texas.
- Every 15 minutes, 24/7
- Hundreds of stream and rain gauges
- Historical data for research
- Public API for developers
Updates
15min
Gauges
400+
Years of data
90+
Coverage
70cos.
Flood Operations
When the river rises, LCRA responds first.
Dams on the Highland Lakes are operated under the Water Control Manual approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. LCRA monitors weather, lake levels, and river flow around the clock and coordinates with emergency managers downstream.
- Floodgate Operations Notification System
- Key elevations for Lake Travis
- Real-time rainfall & stream data
- 24/7 river operations center
Questions about water?
LCRA is here to help.
From rebate questions to flood notifications, permit inquiries to boat ramp information.