About 487,046 acre-feet of water was used throughout the lower Colorado River basin in 2012, down almost 45 percent from 2011. More than 70 percent of the water was used by cities, communities and industrial plants. You can find out who used the water and where it came from in LCRA’s 2012 water use summary. The document contains information on all the major water rights and water users in the basin and shows how water use in 2012 compares to previous years. Read more.

The Lower Colorado River Authority fully supports TCEQ’s decision to conduct further evaluation of its pending Water Management Plan. The additional evaluation, as described in a letter sent Monday from TCEQ Executive Director Zak Covar to LCRA General Manager Becky Motal, will include data collection, a stakeholder meeting, and additional reports and modeling. It is likely to take about one year. Read the news release. Read TCEQ letter.

Gov. Rick Perry has appointed five members to the LCRA Board of Directors. Pamela Jo Ellison, of Brenham, and Robert Lewis, of Elgin, replace Rebecca Klein and Kathleen Hartnett White. Directors Tom Martine, Franklin Spears and Tim Timmerman are reappointed. Timmerman will continue to serve as the LCRA Board Chair. Read the news release.

Starting July 1, entry fees to many of LCRA’s 44 parks and recreation areas along the Highland Lakes and lower Colorado River will change. In addition, LCRA is proud to recognize current and former military personnel by offering them free admission to LCRA parks and recreation areas during several holidays. Read more.

Get to know Colorado County, one of the oldest counties in Texas, dating back to the Republic of Texas, and named for the Colorado River. About 100 miles southeast of Austin, Colorado County is one of 11 counties on the Colorado River Trail, a 600-mile stretch of the lower Colorado River in Texas between San Saba and Matagorda counties. Read more.

With the return of spring weather, Highland Lakes residents are likely to turn their attention to their lawns and landscaping. LCRA wants lakeside homeowners to remember they must have a contract to legally pump water from the Highland Lakes. Read the news release.

At McKinney Roughs, kids 6 and older can enjoy games, swimming, a zip line, native animals, rock-wall climbing, hikes and more. They won’t even know that they are getting outdoor education woven into the fun. The 1,100 acres of pines, prairies and meadows will be their playground at McKinney Roughs Nature Park with eight themed camp sessions offered from June 17 through Aug. 16. Shuttle service will be available from Austin and extended care will be available during select weeks. Click here for more information or to register.

LCRA’s parks reservation system has changed to allow visitors to reserve specific sites at six LCRA parks. Visitors can view online pictures before choosing a campsite or cabin at Black Rock Park, Oak Thicket Park, Park Prairie Park, Matagorda Bay Nature Park, and Lake Bastrop’s North Shore and South Shore parks. Make reservations or learn more about what those parks have to offer.