Q: What type of cleanup does LCRA perform following floods?A: In cases where debris (including natural and manmade) has washed into the main channel of one of the Highland Lakes and poses a hazard to navigation, LCRA dispatches crews to move it to a safe location or mark it with a buoy. LCRA's responsibility for cleaning debris does not extend to less-traveled coves or private property.

Q: Can LCRA clean up debris left on my shoreline from a flood?
A: No. To the extent that debris affects LCRA's operations, LCRA will take steps as appropriate to remove or manage debris. Generally, this involves removing debris from the dams where it may interfere with floodgate operations or hydroelectric generation. LCRA also focuses on the removal of large debris from the main body of the lakes that pose navigational hazards to boaters. As it has been in past floods, lakeside residents will need to make their own plans to clean their property following the flood event and can contact an independent contractor to do the work. Some debris naturally sinks over time.

Additionally, LCRA manages the water along about 600 miles of the lower Colorado River from San Saba to Matagorda Bay, including the Highland Lakes, and does not have the resources to handle the cleanup of debris along the shores.

Q: Does LCRA require that lakefront property owners obtain an LCRA permit for dredge and fill projects?A: No. LCRA no longer requires property owners to obtain an LCRA permit for dredge and fill projects. However, property owners are still required to comply with requirements of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and notify the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prior to beginning a project. LCRA’s Dredge and Fill Standards are available online at www.lcra.org/docs/Dredge_and_FillStnds.pdf or to request a copy call LCRA Water Resource Protection at 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 2324.

Q: Does LCRA monitor water quality on a routine basis? A: Yes. Through the Clean Rivers Program, water quality is monitored routinely throughout the Colorado River basin by a variety of agencies, groups and individuals. LCRA monitors water quality at about 70 sites from above Lake Buchanan to Matagorda Bay.

On Aug. 1, LCRA specifically tested water quality in Clear Cove near Granite Shoals on Lake LBJ. Staff ran samples for both E. coli and fecal coliform – indicators of bacteria that could lead to sickness or infection. Sample results indicated that both were below the standard for contact recreation as established by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Water quality monitoring data is available to the public online at http://waterquality.lcra.org.

Q: In regard to the recent serious illness caused by swimming in Lake LBJ, is it still safe to swim in the lake? A: Recently, the Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed a case of primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in a boy who had previously swam in a shallow, warm cove in Lake LBJ. Although the ameba (single-celled organism) that causes the disease is common, the disease is very rare.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the ameba that causes the illness is common to almost all lakes, ponds, rivers, creeks and other bodies of fresh water, and thrives when temperatures are higher. Infection is believed to occur when water containing the micro-organism is forced into the nasal passages, usually when skiing or diving or jumping into the water.

In 1980, one reported case of PAM was associated with Lake Austin. The last reported case in Texas was in 2005, and there have been 34 total reported cases in Texas since 1972, according to state officials.

LCRA reminds lake visitors that swimming in lakes, streams and other natural water bodies always carries a risk.

For more information on primary amebic meningoencephalitis and some easy-to-follow personal precautions to help reduce the risk of water-related illnesses, go to the Texas Department of State Health Services Web site at www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/primary_amebic_meningoencephalitis/faqs/.

For more information, see July 27 news release: Debris on Highland Lakes clearing, but caution still advised; LCRA helps manage debris on main body of lakes; landowners responsible for cleaning coves and private property.