Thank Goodness for Lake LBJ

Texas continues to be impacted by historic drought cycles, but those of us on Lake LBJ count ourselves fortunate. While neighboring lakes shrink and shorelines retreat, Lake LBJ holds steady, a rare and reassuring constant in a state where water reliability is never guaranteed.

The Drought by the Numbers

Data from the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) paints a sobering picture of drought conditions across the Highland Lakes region:

• The lowest annual inflows since 1942 were 127,802 acre-feet in 2011.
• The lowest historical combined storage in lakes Buchanan and Travis was 621,221 acre-feet (about 31 percent full) on September 9, 1952, during the worst drought on record in the lower Colorado River basin.
• The amount of water in lakes Buchanan and Travis when full is 2.01 million acre-feet, or about 655 billion gallons.
• Lake Buchanan was last full in February 2005.
• Lake Travis was last full in May 2010.

Lowest combined storage levels by drought since 1942:

• 621,221 acre-feet on Sept. 9, 1952 (1947 to 57 Drought of Record)
• 637,123 acre-feet on Sept. 19, 2013 (2008 to present drought)
• 639,141 acre-feet on Sept. 16, 1964 (1961 to 65 drought)
• 829,470 acre-feet on Oct. 7, 1984 (1982 to 86 drought)
• 956,478 acre-feet on Oct. 15, 2000 (1998 to 2001 drought)

Why Lake LBJ Stands Apart

Lake LBJ is a constant-level lake, meaning its water levels stay reliable year-round regardless of the drought conditions affecting other Highland Lakes. Unlike lakes Buchanan and Travis, which serve as water supply reservoirs and fluctuate dramatically, Lake LBJ is managed to maintain a consistent surface elevation.

What does that mean in practical terms? Docks stay usable. The water stays swimmable. Boat ramps don't turn into mud flats. And property values along the shoreline hold steady, because buyers and renters know the lake will actually look and feel like a lake when they arrive.

While we always hope for rain, for our neighbors, our ranchers, and the broader region, we are grateful to be on one of the best lakes in the country. For those who want to experience it firsthand, Horseshoe Bay Living provides luxury waterfront rentals right on Lake LBJ. Come see for yourself why this stretch of the Highland Lakes is something special.