Lakes Buchanan and Travis levels are near average for July.  Lake Buchanan is about 2.6 feet above the average level for July.   Lake Travis is about 1.0 foot below the July average level.

The water temperature at the surface of Lake Travis is 83° F, and the surface temperature of Lake LBJ is 83° F. Recreational lake users should pay attention to local weather conditions, be mindful of your own health and safety, and avoid ingestion of untreated lake water.  Otherwise the water quality of the Highland Lakes will be good to excellent for all recreational uses this weekend.

For more information on lake temperatures, see http://floodstatus.lcra.org/profile/

For detailed information on water quality, see http://www.lcra.org/water/quality/state.html

For weekly fishing reports, see http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/recreational/fishreport.phtml#meth2

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) and LCRA chief meteorologist Bob Rose, for the holiday weekend of July 4-6 a moist flow off the Gulf of Mexico will continue.  Isolated to scattered afternoon showers will develop each day across Central Texas and the Hill Country, with a somewhat better concentration near the coast.  Spotty rain amounts each day will average around 0.25 inches.  High temperatures will generally be in the middle to upper 90s.  There will be little change in the weather through the early part of next week.  The long-range forecast indicates high pressure will build over Texas late next week into next weekend which should cause a return to mostly dry conditions with hot temperatures.  Winds will generally be out of the southeast at 10 mph with higher gusts at times.  Steady winds over water for a long distance can create moderate wave action.  Ultraviolet (UV) radiation indexes will range from 6-9 (high to very high) in the Hill Country and Austin area and from 9-11 (very high to extreme) downstream of Austin.

For the weather blog by Bob Rose, see http://www.lcra.org/water/conditions/weather/weather_column.html

For information on Highland Lakes dam operations, see http://floodstatus.lcra.org/

For information on nearby parks, see http://www.lcra.org/parks/index.html 

For information on water safety, see http://www.nobodyswaterproof.com/

In streams that drain to the Highland Lakes, the NWS predicts that canoe/kayakers will have below minimum water available for floating on the Colorado River above Lake Buchanan, Llano River and Pedernales River.  Stream fishing will be limited by low flow conditions this weekend.

In the Colorado River below Austin, releases from the Highland Lakes for irrigation in the coastal counties of Colorado, Wharton and Matagorda will continue this weekend.  Flow in the Colorado River below Austin will provide ideal water conditions for floating.  Fishing conditions will be excellent.

Unscheduled releases could occur at any of the Highland Lakes dams without notice to maintain lake levels, pass flood flows, meet sudden demands for hydroelectric power, or for testing and maintenance of equipment. In the event of high energy demands in Texas, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) may call upon LCRA for hydroelectric generation at anytime without notice. Lakeside residents and lake users immediately downstream of the dams should take necessary precautions against possible high flows and higher lake levels.

Elevations contained in this summary are based on LCRA "legacy" or NGVD 29 datum and are not adjusted to the newer NAVD 88 datum. FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program reference the NAVD 88 datum in their floodplain maps and regulations. Lake levels reported by LCRA should not be used to determine first floor elevations of buildings for compliance with floodplain regulations. Surveyors should refer to http://harn.lcra.org/ for information about LCRA GPS control marks and benchmarks.