Water Supply & Drought
Drought and Water Supply in Travis County
Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan are the main water reserves for the region — their levels can drop sharply during drought.
Lakes Travis and Buchanan together hold the region's main water supply. During drought years, these lakes can drop to very low levels. The combined storage can swing from near-empty to near-full quickly when heavy rains hit — Lake Travis rose more than 36 feet during a single flood event in 2025.
The City of Austin and LCRA both have drought contingency plans that kick in at different lake levels. If you live outside city water service and rely on a private well, drought can reduce your well's output or dry it out. Know your water source before you buy. Check current lake levels at hydromet.lcra.org.
Source to confirm: LCRA – Highland Lakes Overview