Rising waters in Lake Travis continues to threaten homes, businesses
A week ago, Lake Travis was at 665 feet.
Shortly after 2:00 on Thursday afternoon, the water level had risen to 702 feet.
The near record level pulled some docks deeper into the water because anchor lines had not been adjusted. Others docks floated yards away from the shore.
An uneasy feeling also swept over many property owners after hearing that additional gates at Mansfield Dam were not opened earlier in the day.
“Surreal and scary,” said Kara Weedman Co-owner of Volente Beach. In a matter of two hours, Weedman says their beach front was gone and her water park was swamped.
Since Tuesday, they and others in this North Shore community have tried to stay ahead of the flood surge. “It’s a team effort. Doing what we can with the local marinas to let them tie up boats as they try to get the dry docks off fo the last 48 hours straight,” said Weedman.
Among the boats, in docks cutoff, is one owned by Susan Boyett. “I remember back in December of ‘91, we were here when it was bad. (When it was the record flood). Oh, pretty close,” said Boyett.
Her house is dry. But not far away a house owned by one of Boyett’s friend has water up to the roof. “I don’t care about our boat, its people like this. Looking at the pictures of your friends house. That are underwater, and luckily its a weekend home,” said Boyett.
Access to the Village of Volente is limited to one roadway: Lime Creek Road. It’s an 8 mile winding road off of Anderson Mill and the only way because barricades block FM 2769 / Volente Road.
They went up Wednesday. A steady inflow of storm runoff drained into the low water crossing; which may keep the road closed possibly into the weekend.
The runoff is also keeping Coves like Cypress Creek swollen.
Jay Birchard and a crew with Lake Travis Zipline Adventures were having to cross one of the coves in a boat much of the day. They’re keeping a close eye on their equipment.
Water overran several structures, but the floating obstacle course remained tied down.
The lower zipline platforms also remained just about the flood. "Everything is holding tight, we’ve done our best to stay ahead of the curve and tried to salvage what we can but it’s devastating,” said Birchard.
When the water recedes, Birchard said they’ll start doing safety investigations.
And like others on the Lake, will start the long process of cleaning up.
Upstream in Jonestown and Lago Vista, officials told FOX 7 that water is creeping closer to some homes. Local authorities are going door to door in low areas making welfare checks and making sure those who stay have an escape plan.