Austin bans use of waterways as flash flooding emergency continues

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin is closing all area waterways due to the ongoing threat of catastrophic flooding.

Effective immediately, all personal and commercial watercraft are prohibited on Austin waterways. That includes Lady Bird Lake, Barton Creek, Bull Creek, Lake Austin (from Mansfield Dam to Tom Miller Dam), the Colorado River downstream of Longhorn Dam, and surrounding creeks and streams.

Banned watercraft include canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, wet bikes, motorized surfboards and similar devices. The restriction will remain in effect until noon Monday, July 7.

The city is also urging people to stay off riverfront trails and move to higher ground, warning that flash flooding can cause water levels to rise quickly.

Separately, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) is asking people to stay off Lake Travis, LBJ and Marble Falls for the next few days. Officials say flood debris, fast-moving water and elevated bacteria levels pose serious risks — especially at night.

“We want people to stay safe, and the wise decision under these conditions is to avoid being on these lakes at this time. This is especially important at night when visibility is reduced, as some of the navigational buoys that help guide boaters have been damaged or destroyed in the flooding,” said John Hofmann, LCRA executive vice president of Water.