Water Use Summary

LCRA compiles water use information for the lower Colorado River basin in the annual Water Use Summary.

The lower Colorado River basin experienced prolonged dry conditions and record-setting heat in 2023. While there were brief periods of above-average rainfall in late spring and late fall, for most of the year the basin received below-normal rainfall, with annual rainfall totals for portions of the eastern Hill Country, I-35 corridor and Coastal Plains 8 to 16 inches below average.

The drier-than-normal conditions meant there was little rain to run off and flow into lakes Buchanan and Travis. Total inflows in 2023 were the fourth lowest on record and only 18% of the annual average. Inflows for August 2023 were the lowest monthly inflows on record since the lakes were created.

Because of the drought, no water from the Highland Lakes was available to most interruptible agricultural customers in Colorado, Matagorda and Wharton counties in 2023.

Total water use from the Highland Lakes and lower Colorado River decreased from 2022 to 2023. Water use from the Highland Lakes decreased by 41%, with declines for most types of use. Diversions of water from the lower Colorado River increased by 17% from 2022 to 2023.

Water use by source – LCRA uses two basic sources of water to meet customer and environmental needs: water stored in lakes Buchanan and Travis and water naturally flowing in the Colorado River. When the natural flow into the Highland Lakes is greater than customer needs and environmental obligations, LCRA stores the excess in lakes Buchanan and Travis for later use.

Highland Lakes water use – Contracts for water stored in lakes Buchanan and Travis can be for firm or interruptible supply. LCRA also supplies water from the Highland Lakes to help maintain environmental flows, as required by the state-approved Water Management Plan. In 2023, the Highland Lakes supplied 255,249 acre-feet of water for all uses.

Firm water contracts – These contracts supply cities, businesses and industries that need a reliable long-term water supply. Firm supply is available through a repeat of the driest conditions the region has experienced. Firm customers used 210,883 acre-feet, or about 82% of all water used from the Highland Lakes, in 2023. This includes 296 acre-feet used in hydroelectric generation to meet emergency needs for electricity.

Interruptible water contracts – These contracts supply agricultural customers. Interruptible water is subject to cutbacks during drought conditions, and its availability was curtailed in 2023 because of the drought. Interruptible customers used 9,079 acre-feet, or about 4% of all water used from the Highland Lakes, in 2023.

Environmental – From time to time, LCRA releases water from the Highland Lakes to meet environmental flow requirements for the Colorado River downstream of Austin and for Matagorda Bay. In 2023, LCRA released 35,287 acre-feet, or about 14% of water used from the Highland Lakes, for environmental flows.