AUSTIN, Texas — Austin officials are considering lowering Lake Austin by about 10 feet this fall, marking the lake’s first drawdown since 2017.
City staff told the Climate, Water, Environment and Parks Committee on Wednesday that a final decision is expected by late summer. If approved in coordination with the Lower Colorado River Authority, the six-week drawdown would take place in October and November.
The proposal was requested by shoreline property owners to allow maintenance along the lake’s banks and help control hydrilla, an invasive aquatic plant that can obstruct waterways, reduce sunlight and damage aquatic ecosystems.
Officials said homeowners and businesses want an early decision so they can obtain permits for shoreline work.
“The stakeholders are really interested to know sooner rather than later whether a drawdown will happen so they can get their permits lined up,” said Liz Johnston, an environmental officer with Austin Watershed Protection.
The city last lowered Lake Austin in early 2017. Officials said prolonged drought conditions have prevented similar operations in recent years.
District 10 Council Member Marc Duchen asked whether shoreline stakeholders still support the proposal, and Johnston said she believes support remains strong.
According to notes from a June stakeholder meeting, participants acknowledged concerns about the long-term effectiveness of drawdowns but agreed the approach is preferable in the short term to relying heavily on chemical treatments.
As part of its long-term hydrilla management plan, the city has also stocked Lake Austin with more than 5,000 sterile grass carp over the past year. The fish feed on hydrilla year-round to help control its spread.
