Lower Colorado River Authority plans floodgate releases at Starcke and Wirtz dams

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) plans to open floodgates at Starcke and Wirtz dams on Tuesday, according to KVUE. The releases will move floodwater downstream into Lake Travis.

The Highland Lakes chain is the controlled path for rain that falls across the Hill Country. Opening the gates changes how fast that water reaches Lake Travis and the river below.

Why it matters

Floodgate releases can raise and speed up water downstream, changing flood risk for people near Lake Travis and the Colorado River.

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Key Indicators

Dams scheduled for floodgate releases

Starcke and Wirtz dams are both on the Highland Lakes chain.

Downstream lake receiving releases

Lake Travis is the next major reservoir downstream.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

Organizations Involved

Lower Colorado River Authority

Public utility

Scheduled to open floodgates at Starcke and Wirtz dams

The public utility that manages the Highland Lakes dams and floodgate releases.

Timeline

October 2026 November 2026

2 events Latest: Yesterday

November 2026
KVUE reports LCRA will open Starcke, Wirtz floodgates Tuesday
Latest Report

The station says the releases will move floodwaters downstream into Lake Travis. The report was not checked against an independent record.
Yesterday
October 2026
LCRA opens Starcke floodgate, plans Wirtz release
Flood control

Heavy rain pushed Llano River floodwater downstream. Lake Travis was forecast to rise 1 to 2 feet.
October 2nd, 2026

Scenarios

Floodgates open as planned, Lake Travis stays below full

Likely Resolves by Nov 15, 2026

Discussed by: LCRA operational guidance and KVUE reporting

LCRA opens the gates Tuesday and downstream flows rise without pushing Lake Travis past its full level. This is the expected outcome when inflows are moderate and rain eases.

Downstream flood warnings issued after releases

Possible Resolves by Nov 15, 2026

Discussed by: National Weather Service flood alerts

The releases raise and speed up water below the dams enough to trigger a flood warning for low-lying areas. This becomes more likely if heavy rain continues.

LCRA delays or cancels releases as rain eases

Unlikely Resolves by Nov 12, 2026

Discussed by: LCRA announcements

Inflows fall short of the level needed to open the gates, or LCRA changes the plan before Tuesday. The report would then overstate the action.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

October 2018

October 2018 Llano River flood

The Llano River reached more than 40 feet, according to a later CBS Austin comparison. That is far above the 12-foot moderate flood stage cited in October 2026.

Then

The crest was more than three times the moderate flood level.

Now

It remains a local benchmark for how high Hill Country rivers can rise.

Why this matters now

It shows why LCRA watches Llano River inflows before opening Highland Lakes floodgates.

October 2026

October 2026 Highland Lakes floodgate release

LCRA opened a floodgate at Starcke Dam and planned one at Wirtz Dam after more than 7 inches of rain fell in parts of the Hill Country. The Llano River was expected to crest just over 12 feet.

Then

Lake Travis was forecast to rise 1 to 2 feet, staying below its 681-foot full capacity.

Now

The release gave a recent example of how LCRA moves floodwater through the chain.

Why this matters now

The November plan uses the same two dams.