Storm runoff flows through Llano River, Highland Lakes

• An aerial view by Steve Zbranek showed how much water rushed over the spillway of Town Lake in the heart of Llano, following late last week and into part of the weekend. Runoff will make its way from the Llano River through the Slab Road water crossing, CR 304/ CR307) in Kingsland to lakes LBJ, Marble Falls and Travis. Contributed photos
• Marty Mangum shared this image of folks on Slab Road on Sunday, May 5, providing a hint of the water overflowing the crossing and making its way downstream through Lake LBJ, Marble Falls and Travis.

Storms over the Lake Buchanan watershed on May 4-5 have caused the Colorado River and its tributaries to rise, according to the Lower Colorado River Authority Flood Operations Report.

“This storm runoff will make its way down to Lake Buchanan over the next several days,” the report stated. “Also, runoff from storms over the Llano River watershed on May 3-5 will be passed through lakes LBJ and Marble Falls and into Lake Travis over the next couple of days.

“At this time, no floodgate operations are planned at LCRA dams. LCRA will be closely monitoring for inflows to the Highland Lakes that might require hydroelectric generation to pass storm runoff or floodgate operations to pass floodwaters through any of the Highland Lakes dams.”

Officials warn that unscheduled releases from the Highland Lakes dams may occur suddenly and unexpectedly at any time due to emergency hydroelectric generation or other reasons. The public should exercise caution and avoid being in the water near the dams at all times.