Overview
Lake Austin is the Highland Lakes pass-through reservoir immediately upstream of central Austin, Texas, formed by Tom Miller Dam on the Colorado River. It is operated by the Lower Colorado River Authority between Lake Travis upstream and Lady Bird Lake downstream. The lake is a long, narrow urban–suburban waterbody closely tied to West Austin neighborhoods and Hill Country canyon reaches.
Lake Austin covers roughly 1,600 acres with a shoreline on the order of 50 miles. Steep limestone banks, residential docks, and a riverine main channel define its physical character more than a broad open basin. Depths vary from shallower margins and side coves to deeper water along the Colorado River channel.
The lake supports recreational boating, paddle sports, and a warmwater fishery under Texas Parks and Wildlife Department regulations. Access includes public and neighborhood ramps and parks along the Austin corridor. It is a distinct entity from Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake) downstream of Tom Miller Dam.
Lake Austin is a pass-through lake with little flood storage. Under normal conditions LCRA typically operates it within about a one-foot band near 491.8–492.8 feet mean sea level; levels can rise during floods and are periodically lowered for shoreline maintenance. Do not treat the lake as a classic seasonal-drawdown Corps reservoir. Current elevation still informs shoreline access, dock use, and flood awareness.
Current Conditions
Lake Austin is currently 0.55 feet below full pool and has risen slightly over the past week.
- 7-day trendRisingLatest movement can differ from the seven-day trend.
- 7-day changeUp 0.01 ft
- 30-day changeUp 0.04 ft
- Drought conditionsModerate Drought
- Active advisories1 active (Notice)
About This Lake
Learn how this lake is managed, what affects its water level, and where Lake Insights gets its data.
Lake Austin is a 1,600-acre reservoir on the Colorado River managed by Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA).
