Photos of Lake Travis, Texas - Supplies Austin and San Antonio - Incredible

[Frustratedlady]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/texasparkswildlife/sets/72157627429641925/show/

[NV Whino]

1. Well, at least people can recover their lost cell phones

[liberal N proud]

11. The sign said Private Property - No savaging

Does that mean that people can't clean up the trash that was at the bottom of the lake?

[Tansy_Gold]

29. I believe that was "No Scavenging." n/t

[liberal N proud]

46. I believe you are correct

[Xithras]

53. Most of that "trash" isn't really trash.

In the first few photos, you can see a lot of barrels, concrete piles, and other debris that look like trash. It's not. Those types of things are usually placed deliberately and act as artificial fish habitat. Many fish species don't like open water, and anchored debris like this helps to draw fish into areas they would otherwise avoid.

[Tyrs WolfDaemon]

65. Those are dock anchors

Anytime a new dock was put in or they redid the cables for a dock, a new set of anchors would be dropped. It was usually easier than trying to pull them up and attaching new cables to them.

My family had some property on lake Travis one cove over from Lakeway Marina and I spent many days out on the lake or just fishing off our dock.

Our property had a house on it that was built before the lake was there as as such was below the spillway level. The house was more like a ruin, but it did have power and a phone line. The power was mainly used for the fridge we had out there. I was in High School when the big Christmas Flood occurred and I went out there with a friend to rescue the beer trapped in the fridge. We started to dive into the house (the water was right below the ceiling level, but we still had to go under to get in) and found we couldn't see anything. We decided that would sit on the roof with a safety rope as he made his way in which was good since visibility was near zero once he made it past the first doorway. Once inside he found an air space between the ceiling and the water. He took some photos of the furniture floating around and found the fridge. We did manage to save the beer.


Because of our cove's location and the age of the deed, we actually owned to the middle of the cove unlike 99% of land owners on the lake. Most only owned to the spillway line and everything below that was the LCRA's (Lower Colorado River Auth).
We sold it years ago, which is kind of sad because I loved that place, but It breaks my heart to see how bad it has gotten out there.

[Xithras]

73. Interesting.

I guess this is an opportunity to clean it up then!

Here in California, there are very few reservoirs where the general public is allowed to own property near the waters edge. With only a few exceptions, when they were built, the government agencies claimed land well above the water line. As a result, we have very few private docks on our reservoirs, so "dock anchors" hadn't occurred to me.

We DO have huge piles of junk set up as fish habitat though. In fact, on one reservoir near me, they submerge thousands of cable-bound Christmas trees into the water every January just for that reason. The tree beds tend to have some of the best fishing on the lake!

[Liberal_in_LA]

15. old timey cell phones

[SpiralHawk]

2. "Climate change is, um, a phony lib plot. Smirk." - Teh Rickster (R)

[lsewpershad]

34. Wonder

What happened to the PRAYERS by all his friends

[Uncle Joe]

43. If there is a God, why would God listen to a people so willing to trash his creation?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesis_creation_narrative

First narrative: creation weekGenesis 1:3–2:4
The creation week consists of eight divine commands executed over six days, followed by a seventh day of rest.

First day: Light appears ("Let there be light!")—the first divine command. The light is divided from the darkness, and "day" and "night" are named.

Second day: God makes a firmament ("Let a firmament be...!")—the second command—to divide the waters above from the waters below. The firmament is named "skies".

Third day: God commands the waters below to be gathered together in one place, and dry land to appear (the third command). "earth" and "sea" are named. God commands the earth to bring forth grass, plants, and fruit-bearing trees (the fourth command).

Fourth day: God puts lights in the firmament (the fifth command) to separate light from darkness and to mark days, seasons and years. Two great lights are made to appear (most likely the Sun and Moon, but not named), and the stars.

Fifth day: God commands the sea to "teem with living creatures", and birds to fly across the heavens (sixth command) He creates birds and sea creatures, and commands them to be fruitful and multiply.

Sixth day: God commands the land to bring forth living creatures (seventh command); He makes wild beasts, livestock and reptiles. He then creates humanity in His "image" and "likeness" (eighth command). They are told to "be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it." The totality of creation is described by God as "very good."

Seventh day: God, having completed the heavens and the earth,rested from His work, and blesses and sanctifies the seventh day.

One can't be "fruitful" in a toxic environment.

[indepat]

61. "And we have a governor whose state is on fire denying climate change"

ad nauseum. :patriot:

[Lucinda]

3. Wow. What an amazing set of pictures.

Thank you.

[tabasco]

4. They better start praying harder.

Why does God hate Texas?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. Horrifying, stunning pictures...

They really bring home the reality of the drought.

My god.

A picture is worth a 1000 words, indeed.

[lob1]

6. Look on the bright side. More land to be sold.

[ChandlerJr]

7. Probably not a good investment though

Lake Travis is a man made flood control lake that varies in volume over the years.


Lake Travis is considered "full" (at maximum desired capacity) when the lake's water level is at 681 feet (208 m) above mean sea level (msl). Above 681 feet (208 m), flood control gates are opened under the direction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The historic high level on the lake was 710.4 feet (216.5 m) above msl on December 25, 1991. The historic low was 614.2 feet (187.2 m) above msl on August 14, 1951. The extreme drought of 2008-2009 brought the lake to its third lowest level at 629.97 feet (192.01 m) above msl on September 11, 2009. The second lowest level was 615.02 feet (187.46 m) above msl on November 8, 1963.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Travis

[EmeraldCityGrl]

8. Explains why the Bush family bought a couple hundred

thousand acres in Paraquay, a land rich in natural gas and water aquifers. They knew then what many
are just figuring out now.

[Warpy]

12. What they didn't know was that Paraguay was about to elect a leftist government

and sign an extradition treaty with the US. Now neither Moon nor Stupid could ever feel particularly comfortable there, no matter how much aquifer they own. A leftist government would have no problem nationalizing the aquifer and any mineral rights while allowing them to keep the land on top of them.

[SpiralHawk]

16. The Bushies (R) also eat organic food. They know the corporate mutant chem crapola

of industrial ag -- whose skids they and their Republicon cronies consistenly greaze -- is total shit that, over time, will make you sick.

It is a slow corroding process -- and the Eeeleete RepubliCons -- like the Skull & Boner Bushes -- know the reality of it well. In their eeeleete Republicon world, Industrial GMO-chem Crapola 'food' is for the Smelly Proles (aka the decent, hard-working, honorable citizens of the United States of America).

[Warpy]

9. Wow. Just wow.

NM is scheduled to get the remains of a Pacific hurricane late this weekend. We can hope it drifts east instead of north like it's been doing so far.

Unfortunately, the Atlantic storms are going to stay at sea. What you really need in Texas is a wet tropical storm raining itself out over the state.

[ceile]

10. Actually-doesn't go near San Antonio

It's a man made lake (one of 7) from the Colorado River.
Thank you for posting. I don't think people realize how bad it really is here.

[Frustratedlady]

13. Hmmm! The person who sent it to me gave me that info.

It's just a horrible situation, no matter.

Between the fires and drought, you guys have really been hit. I hope it ends soon.

[ceile]

17. me too.

Got some rain last night, but not enough to noticeable.

[hamsterjill]

24. Not much on the NW side of SA.

Lots of thunder and lightning in my area last night, but very little wet stuff. I keep hoping...

[trof]

23. Google map shows it 20 mi. NW of Austin.

[efhmc]

38. They really, really do not care. Texas and

Texan are not human and need to fend for themselves.

[Tyrs WolfDaemon]

66. Thank you bundling all of us that do care in with the bad

My family and I can't move out of here. It just isn't possible right now, but I'm glad that you would throw us out with the crazies.

I'd like to think that I'm not human, humans are awful. Humans foul their dens and reward those that do the most fouling.
I would normally take your comment of not being human as a good thing, but in this case I don't. You obviously think anyone that lives in Texas is sub-human and/or worse than humans in general.


Thank you for your warm thoughts.

[chaplainM]

14. As they say at the ffrf

"Nothing fails like prayer."

[slay]

18. This is what America will look like if Rick Perry gets the WH

not that he necessarily had anything to do with the lake drying up - just saying he's a horrible leader, a horrible person, who will turn the country to shit is all.

[w8liftinglady]

19. Thank you for sharing those. Here are some more

O.C. Fisher Lake San Angelo
http://www2.tbo.com/mgmedia/image/0/354/130777/t0805-texasdrought/

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/san_angelo/

Texas drought conditions
http://www.lcra.org/water/drought/index.html

Texas lake facility closure list
http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/drought/drought.htm

[Ichingcarpenter]

20. 3rd worse in the history of the lake.

On Lake Travis ten of the 11 public boat ramps have closed, the remaining launch, Mansfield Dam would close if the lake reaches below 630 feet. Current lake levels stand at 640.19. Historical lows reached below 600 feet in the 1940′s and dropped below 620 feet in the 1950′s and 1960′s. The last time lake levels were below 640 feet was 1985. In 2000 levels hovered just above 640 feet and in 2010 dropped near 630 feet. Lake Travis is considered full at 681 feet. Meteorologist say if things don’t get better this may be the worst drought in Travis County history.

http://www.lakeaustinblog.com/3rd-worst-drought-since-record-keeping-began-ramp-closures-on-travis-move-traffic-to-lake-austin/


I've never seen it that low since my brother moved there in the 70s

[fishwax]

21. wow

Those pictures help to bring it home.

:kick:

[efhmc]

22. For all the swarmy, anti Texas comments, this is real and

hard for the people here.

[hamsterjill]

26. +1

People and animals.

[efhmc]

37. Told my foreman, we can only use the water for the

mammals. As much as I love my rose bushes, they will have to fend for themselves.

[hamsterjill]

54. It's pretty rough, isn't it?

We took a drive several weeks ago up into the hill country (where I'm originally from) and the whole area is very depressing to look at. Dead wildlife all over the place. Livestock panting heavily under any tree they can find because of the severe heat.

And basically, without an ending in sight yet...

[demosincebirth]

28. Do they have water rationing, yet? I know Texans don't like being told what to

do by Government.

[ceile]

30. We've been in stage 2 rationing for months

Means watering only twice a week during certain hours. Most people aren't watering at all. I'm only watering my roses.

[demosincebirth]

40. What is the penalty for over use, or is there one?

[efhmc]

45. This was from stage 2 in August. Think we are at stage 4 now.

Violators will be given a warning and will be issued a $475 ticket if they have not showed they have made the necessary changes. Residents are encouraged to call 311 to report water waste.

[demosincebirth]

49. Well, hang in there. I love roses.

[ceile]

58. a citation, I think

not sure for how much though.

[efhmc]

36. Don't really even want to answer you.

Yes, water rationing has been going on for months. This is the usual response from people who do not have a clue. I run a ranch with 7 dry stock ponds and a dry creek. The repugs around me are still pumping water for irrigation. There is nothing the rest of us can do except try to hold on. In the meanwhile we have people like you who point fingers and make comment about things which they know nothing about!!!!

[demosincebirth]

47. I was not being facetious. I truly wanted to know. I'm from the Bay Area, and we

have had rationing in many years, in the past. Not as severe as yours. Sorry for your situation.

[efhmc]

51. What a beautiful place you live in. Here not so

much. Our livelihood depends on water and we are really suffering. It seem like many people on DU do not realize that there are real people who are Texans who are losing their businesses for a lack of water. To many it just about politics and not about real people.

[donheld]

25. For perspective, what Lake Travis should look like

[Frustratedlady]

27. Thanks! That's quite a difference. I hope it returns to that level very soon. n/t

[efhmc]

39. A few sprinkles yesterday but not enough to

matter. However, I thank you for your concern.

[Gin]

50. beautiful when full.....what source feeds this lake?

so sad to see this happening..

[ceile]

59. Colorado River n/t

[KeepItReal]

31. The phone in the case looks like a Nokia 6160. Charge it up. Bet it works!

That phone was indestructible!

First phone I ever got props on.... "Are you playing a GAME ON YOUR CELL PHONE!?!"

"Snake" was the sh&t!!!

[captain jack]

32. I feel sorry for the fish. n/t

[efhmc]

41. We had a really old big gar in the creek

at the ranch. I have no idea how long it how been there. That creek, which has never been dry as long as I have been around has no water. I wonder what happened to that old pisces.

[Cleita]

33. How tragic.

I remember visiting there when we lived in Boerne, Texas between Austin and San Antonio. :-(

[On the Road]

35. Wow -- Reminiscent of the Aral Sea

At least it's a temporary fluctuation and fill back up with a couple of good rainy seasons.

[octothorpe]

42. Woooah... I haven't been out there since I moved last year, I was wondering how it was holding up...

Far cry from when it was overflowing just a couple years ago.

[RebelOne]

44. It looks like what our Lake Lanier here in North Georgia

will be like if we don't get some heavy rain soon. The lake is falling to record lows.

[sammytko]

48. San Antonio gets it's water from an underground aquifer - the Edwards

No ground water reservoir around there.

I live in a county south of there. Also get our water from an aquifer bigger than the Edwards. The Wilcox-Carrizo. We had some restrictions when our pumps were having problems. We have water but the drought has caused people to use more and thus overwork our pumps. They are old and are being replaced, which was about time. we are back to no more restrictions.

If you have your own well and can afford the electric bill to run your pump, nothing to stop you. Electric bills for farmers around my small town are peanuts compared to what we pay in town. They belong to a co-op.

We have about three grass farms around us that water all day. Grass is emerald green.

[efhmc]

52. This might be of interest.

http://impactnews.com/lake-travis-westlake/435-news/6866-lcra-lake-travis-water-supply-ok-despite-two-year-drought

[bvar22]

55. This problem is WAY BIGGER than Texas.

The Giant Ogallala Aquifer supplies drinking and Irrigation water to a great portion of the Central United States,
including several MILLION people.



This water level in this HUGE Aquifer has dropped 5 FEET this Summer.
It replenishes at a rate of 1/2 inch per year.

This is our Cattle & Grain Belt,
and WILL affect everybody who eats food in the US.

Good Luck to us ALL!

[Frustratedlady]

56. That's scary. Thanks for posting. EOM

[sammytko]

57. The Edwards can go up a ft in a day depending on rain

We had over three inches last week

http://www.saws.org/our_water/aquifer/

[chill_wind]

64. Yes.

Good luck to us all :-(

[MadHound]

60. The sad thing is that people in Austin are still watering their yards,

Absolutely no sense.

[onethatcares]

63. sometimes ya just gotta have green grass, ya know.

otherwise the neighbors might think you care about the earth or sumpin.:banghead:

[GSLevel9]

62. knowing Texas... it will be a raging torrent again soon. nt

[efhmc]

67. Don't think so. Nothing but dribs and drabs,

[Scuba]

68. Maybe Rick's rain dance prayer meet will pay off soon. The People of Texas deserve better. n/t

[Stinky The Clown]

69. I was on that lake shore in July

My partner lives on Lake Austin. Two (three?) years ago they were flooded out such that the water was 4 feet deep in their house. Today, the water is 40 *feet* below the normal shore line. After they rebuilt the house on 22 foot stilts to meet the new building codes. Making the water 62 feet below what it was, for them, just a few years ago.

It is pretty damned awful there right now.

[kentauros]

70. You see people moving their docks

and you have to wonder why they even bother. They've likely read or heard that the drought is slated to last through the end of the year, at least. What can you do in a boat that has a draft deeper than the water-depth?

Here in Houston, we're losing our trees. We're on water-rationing, too, I think like most other areas, watering only allowed twice a week. What is also probably happening, is that people are trying to save their lawns when they need to be watering the roots of their trees. I don't doubt many trees are dead because they lost out to the "priority" of a green lawn.

The Houston Press had a story about the death of our trees yesterday: There Is Unrest in the Forest: Dying Trees to Cost City $4.5 Million

According to that story, Houston, Harris County and the surrounding counties (aka, The Greater Houston Area) are losing 60,000,000 trees! So much for our green canopy. If you've ever seen Houston either from the air or one of the tall buildings, then you know what I'm talking about. We're used to a fairly high annual rainfall average, almost equal to Seattle's (52" for them, 54" for us.) So, y'all know how wet they are and now you have an idea of how wet we are supposed to be.

[Remember Me]

71. So sorry to everyone affected

Those photos are absolutely horrifying -- what stood out the most to me was the realization of how very much water will be needed to fill that lake.

[progressoid]

72. The shape of things to come