The Kingsland Slab was flooded as of May 6, 2024, due to a raging Llano River. The water is destined for Lake LBJ and eventually Lake Travis. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey

Heavy, consistent rainfall across the Colorado River Basin over the past 10 days, from April 26 through May 6, resulted in the first major gains for lakes Buchanan and Travis in three years. The two reservoirs could continue to rise due to the steady and powerful flows of the Colorado and Llano rivers.

Lake Buchanan has risen by nearly 3 feet and Lake Travis by almost a foot since the end of April. The last time the lakes rose this quickly in a month was in May 2021 for Buchanan and June 2021 for Travis.

As of noon Monday, May 6, Lake Buchanan sits at 998 feet above mean sea level, up from 995.14 msl on April 30, the highest since August 2023. Buchanan has gained over 40,800 acre-feet of water since the storms began around April 26, bringing its current total volume to 459,387 acre-feet, or 52 percent full. 

As of noon Monday, Lake Travis sits at 631.54 msl, up from 630.62 msl on April 30, the highest since December 2023. Travis has gained over 11,815 acre-feet of water since April 26, bringing its total volume to 435,798 acre-feet, or 39 percent full. 

The rise in lake levels can be attributed even more to rainfall in counties farther north and west in the Colorado River Basin that contain countless tributaries that feed into the Colorado and Llano rivers.

According to Lower Colorado River Authority Hydromet rain gauges, as measured since April 26, Marble Falls has received 2.44 inches of rain, Burnet 3.5 inches, Kingsland 2.91 inches, Buchanan Dam 3.01 inches, and Llano 1.94 inches.

The LCRA Hydromet showed the real rain gains for the Colorado River, which feeds Lake Buchanan, were made in Mills, Brown, McCulloch, San Saba, and Lampasas counties. Some gauges in these counties measured over 9 inches of rainfall and many measured over 5 inches since April 26.

The Hydromet also showed several inches of rain on many of the gauges across the Llano River’s watershed in remote portions of Llano County and in Mason and Kimble counties since April 26. 

The Colorado and Llano rivers began surging on May 3 with the consistent rainfall, and their flows have remained steady into Monday.

The Colorado River was flowing at 1,200 cubic-feet per second when the surge began on May 3, up from about 200 cfs on May 2. The river then rocketed to a peak flow of over 22,600 cfs on Sunday, May 5. It was at 20,400 cfs as of noon Monday.

The Llano River was flowing at 1,400 cfs when the surge began on May 3, up from about 75 cfs on May 2. The river leapt to a peak flow of about 6,300 cfs on Sunday but had dropped back to 1,400 cfs as of noon Monday.

dakota@thepicayune.com

Granite Shoals Utilities and Streets Department staff work to repair a large water line on Granite Castle Drive on May 5. Photo courtesy of Steve Hougen

Granite Shoals is under a boil water notice due to a major waterline break on Sunday, May 5. Mayor Ron Munos said the city hopes to have the notice lifted by Tuesday, May 7, but residents should be prepared for multiple days of boiled and bottled water.

A 6-inch waterline broke early Sunday morning in the 200 block of Granite Castle Drive. City staff discovered the leak and began working to repair it at around 3 a.m., hoping to do so without turning off the water. After 12 hours, they were forced to shut off the city’s water supply, which led to a boil water notice from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

The waterline has been repaired, but turning off the city’s pumps depressurized the system, allowing untreated water to enter the city’s plumbing, Munos said. The untreated water needs to be completely flushed out before the boil water notice can be lifted. 

“It was unfortunate that we had to shut off the water, but there was no other way,” Munos said. “We did our best. After 12 hours with no success, we had to shut the water off so we could drain the water and get the line repaired.”

Water samples will be sent to TCEQ as soon as possible, Munos told DailyTrib.com. Staff will flush the system until the notice is lifted. It is still safe to bathe using city water, but water for consumption should be boiled until the notice is lifted.

Gushing water from the broken line on Granite Castle Drive caused low water pressure for many residents. Heavy equipment was used to dig a hole to access the broken line, but the hole constantly filled with water, and workers had to make repairs while submerged.

Shutting off the water allowed the crew to drain the hole, access the broken pipe, and repair it, which took another five hours, according to Munos, who was on the scene along with City Councilor Steve Hougen and Interim City Manager Sarah Novo.

“Please bear with us for the next day or two as we flush the system and wait for testing to come back so the boil water notice can be eliminated,” said Munos in a public statement posted on Facebook late Sunday night. “I was amazed and proud of the hard work by our water and streets team. They worked tirelessly in very difficult conditions. I am so very proud of them and want to thank them, both as a citizen and as mayor. If you see any of our workers, please thank them as well.”

The city’s utilities and street staff were forced to work without power tools on the submerged pipe. They also reportedly burned through 24 air packs while submerging themselves to make the repairs. 

Repairing the line was top priority, Novo said. Many residents experienced extremely low water pressure during the break.

“Ultimately, the water pressure was not there for the community,” she explained. “This was a main line which served the majority of the community.”

An exact cause for the line break was not available as of press time.

Residents with questions about the boil water notice may call Utilities Superintendent Josh Hisey at 830-596-3320 or City Hall at 830-598-2424.

dakota@thepicayune.com

The beautiful and drought-tolerant Texas sage. Adobe Stock image

The Falls on the Colorado Museum of Marble Falls is hosting a public presentation on the importance of using native plants in landscaping at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 11. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. The museum is located at 2001 Broadway.

Paula Richards, a nature enthusiast and native plants advocate, will share her expertise as a Highland Lakes Master Naturalist and member of the Native Plant Society of Texas on the benefits of using native plants over conventional choices like St. Augustine grass. She will start with the basics of what defines a plant as native and discuss a variety of flora, including trees, shrubs, grasses, succulents, and perennials.

By the end of the presentation, attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how to plan their landscapes using native plants, said Amanda Seim, chair of the museum’s Board of Directors. 

“Landscaping in the Texas Hill Country presents unique challenges due to its diverse geological features and unpredictable climate,” Seim said. “This approach not only invites nature into your yard but also helps adapt to the Texas Hill Country’s climate while preserving its natural beauty.”

In addition to her work with the Master Naturalists and Native Plant Society, Richards is an active member of the Highland Lakes NPSOT speaker bureau, through which she educates property owners associations and garden clubs on the benefits of native plants. 

“With her guidance, newcomers and longtime residents alike can make informed decisions about plant selection, ensuring their landscapes flourish in Texas summers and withstand the region’s unpredictable weather,” Seim said. 

For more information about the program, contact The Falls on the Colorado Museum at focmuseum@gmail.com.

editor@thepicayune.com

Weekend storms are in the forecasts for Burnet and Llano counties, which could both see highs in the 90s by Tuesday, May 7, according to the National Weather Service.

“Strong to severe thunderstorms and locally heavy rain are possible from late this afternoon (Friday, May 3) through tonight,” reads a NWS hazardous weather outlook issued on Friday morning. “The chance for thunderstorms will continue through the upcoming weekend. A few strong to severe thunderstorms as well as locally heavy rainfall will be possible.”

The forecast on Friday morning called for a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms after 1 p.m., rising to 30 percent by Saturday afternoon and 60 percent that night. Storm chances are expected to taper off by Sunday afternoon.

NWS forecasts also show temperatures climbing into the 90s on Tuesday across both counties. Those highs could hang on through the rest of next week.

dakota@thepicayune.com

The following people were arrested and booked into the Burnet County Jail during the period of April 26-May 2, 2024, according to Burnet County Sheriff’s Office logs. City of residence and release information are listed when available. This list does not constitute an official court document, and all persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Frances Arroyo-Barreto, 22, of Cottonwood Shores was arrested April 26 by the Granite Shoals Police Department (GSPD): failure to appear, failure to maintain financial responsibility, failure to provide proof of financial responsibility. Released April 30 on personal recognizance.

Cassandra Lee Cole, 36, of Johnson City was arrested April 26 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): theft of property. Released same day on $1,500 bond. Released April 30 to an outside agency.

Angel Escalante, 51, of Burnet was arrested April 26 by BCSO: sexual abuse of a child-continuous-victim under 14 (2 counts).

Heidi Katherine Eubanks, 38, of Horseshoe Bay was arrested April 26 by BCSO: judgment-driving while intoxicated.

Dominique Hernandez, 23, of Burnet was arrested April 26 by the Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD): SRA-tampering with a government record-defraud, SRA-theft of a firearm, SRA-bail jumping/failure to appear. Released April 28 on $12,500 in bonds.

Robert Gwinn Mabry III, 34, of Kingsland was arrested April 26 by BCSO: possession of a controlled substance.

Royce Neal Owens, 51, of Fayetteville was arrested April 26 by BCSO: SRA-possession of a controlled substance.

Shaundra Rhea Schmitz, 43, of Highland Haven was arrested April 26 by BCSO: commitment-driving while intoxicated.

Jamauri KyJuan Truevillian, 20, of Round Rock was arrested April 26 by BCSO: failure to appear-evading arrest/detention with a vehicle.

Jessica Ileen Gephart, 31, of Bertram was arrested April 27 by the Burnet Police Department (BPD): expired driver’s license, failure to maintain financial responsibility, failure to appear. Released April 28 on $3,000 in bonds.

Robert Mathew Hogeda, 47, of Marble Falls was arrested April 27 by BCSO: possession of a dangerous drug, possession of a controlled substance, failure to appear, failure to maintain financial responsibility, expired registration.

Tuesday Workman, 35, of San Antonio was arrested April 27 by BCSO: possession of a controlled substance, possession of a dangerous drug.

Gail Daniel Beaver, 54, of Kempner was arrested April 30 by BCSO: deadly conduct-discharge firearm. Released same day on $25,000 bond.

Tina Marie Garza, 39, of Burnet was arrested April 30 by BPD: failure to identify as a fugitive, failure to appear, public intoxication.

Stephanie Raylee Greenwood, 36, of Llano was arrested April 30 by MFPD: possession of a controlled substance. Released May 1 on $3,000 bond.

Harlin Russell Jessup, 37, of Burnet was arrested April 30 by BPD: failure to appear-criminal trespass, criminal trespass. Released same day with credit for time served.

Donnie Smith, 34, of Kingsland was arrested April 30 by BCSO: insufficient bond-aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, insufficient bond-aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Curtis Anthony Crow, 43, of Bertram was arrested May 1 by BCSO: speeding.

Curtis Anthony Crow, 43, of Bertram was arrested May 1 by BPD: motion to revoke-driving while intoxicated.

Jesus Cuevas-Rebollar, 41, of Bertram was arrested May 1 by the Bertram Police Department (BTPD): assault causing bodily injury-family violence. Released May 2 on $5,000 bond.

Jorge Hernandez-Gonzalez, 29, was arrested May 1 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): detainer. Released May 2 to ICE.

Carol Lynn Long, 54, of Bertram was arrested May 1 by BTPD: speeding, no driver’s license, motion to revoke probation-possession of a controlled substance.

Sabrina S. Senkel-Neitch, 66, of Pflugerville was arrested May 1 by BCSO: theft of property. Released May 2 on $15,000 bond.

Donnie Lee Smith, 34, of Kingsland was arrested May 1 by BCSO: insufficient bond-aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, insufficient bond-aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Brice Mitchell Evans, 35, of Midland was arrested May 2 by BCSO: possession of a controlled substance (4 counts).

Samantha Moreno Smith, 32, of Bertram was arrested May 2 by BCSO: aggravated robbery, interfering with an emergency request for assistance, injury to a child/elderly/disabled person.

Travis Ryan Smith, 18, of Marble Falls was arrested May 2 by BCSO: bond violation-possession of a controlled substance.

Chad Windfield Turner, 50, of Moab, Utah, was arrested May 2 by BCSO: SRA-possession of a controlled substance, failure to appear-assault causing bodily injury.