✨ Fresh News: Lake Austin drawdown discussions proceed after 2,000 grass carp input water
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AUSTIN (KXAN) — The push to decrease water ranges at Lake Austin continues as shareholders marketing to fulfill with town of Austin officers subsequent week. Business homeowners and citizens stated that reducing water ranges will lend a hand forestall the unfold of a invasive plant this is unhealthy to swimmers and boat homeowners.
On Friday, Eric Moreland with Friends of Lake Austin posted a video on social media pronouncing a public assembly held by way of the town. The assembly is scheduled over Zoom on Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m.
“At the assembly, we’ll replace you about hydrilla and stocking of sterile grass carp in addition to a possible reducing of the lake in 2026,” a commentary learn at the assembly invite.
Over the summer time, hydrilla blooms unfold around the lake. In June, a survey discovered that handiest 5% of the lake had hydrilla in it. By past due summer time, a brand new survey discovered hydrilla had unfold to 38%.
A equivalent stage of hydrilla within the early-2000’s ended in a motion to take away the hydrilla, which the Friends of Lake Austin stated can entangle boaters and swimmers.
This fall, the gang started a push to drawdown the lake by way of a number of toes. They cited research that stated a drawdown can lend a hand kill off hydrilla. The town argued the other, appearing research that discovered a drawdown has no have an effect on.
The town stated that the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has ultimate approval on a lake drawdown, however this will not be conceivable. The LCRA informed KXAN that following the wintry weather storms, all hydroelectric operations in Texas are required to paintings at top capability all over the wintry weather months. This way a drawdown would no longer be conceivable till after wintry weather.
The town will have to make a proper request for a drawdown. Homeowners and businessowners, like Moreland, indicate {that a} drawdown would no longer handiest permit the gang to take away the hydrilla, but in addition do a lot wanted upkeep on docks.
The town launched 1,955 sterile grass carp into Lake Austin on Wednesday, Nov. 5. This is along with the 350 sterile grass carp launched this previous summer time, bringing the overall to two,300. Grass carp feed on hydrilla as their number one meals supply.
“What studies have shown is that as long as there is hydrilla present, they will kind of focus on that resource, allowing other plants to persist and thrive,” stated Dr. Brent Bellinger, conservation program manager with the town’s Watershed Protection Department.
📅 Published on 2025-11-10 19:08:00
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