Lake Travis closed to all uses except emergency response

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- All recreational, commercial, and navigational uses of Lake Travis are currently banned as the impacts of flash floods that hit Central Texas over the July 4 weekend are still affecting the area.

Travis County Judge Andy Brown issued an order Friday prohibiting the use of waterways in Lake Travis except for emergency response or official government purposes.

This comes after the Lower Colorado River Authority issued a press release on July 6 recommending that people avoid being on lakes Buchanan, Inks, LBJ, Marble Falls, and Travis because of flood debris, bacteria, and fast flows. 

The LCRA posted on X about Brown's order Saturday morning.

"Late Friday, July 11, Travis County Judge Andy Brown closed Lake Travis to all recreational, commercial and navigational uses other than emergency responders or representatives of state or local agencies that access Lake Travis," the post said.

Brown issued the order Friday evening after consulting with the LCRA on "present hazards within Lake Travis." The order said the conditions in the lake create a public safety hazard.

"The Travis County Judge has determined from information provided by emergency management personnel that the above conditions set forth in his Declaration of Disaster continue to exist and pose a threat of severe damage. injury or loss of life or property, and persons within Travis County have been and continue to be severely impacted by the severe weather and flooding," the order stated, in part.

It's not clear when the lake will be reopened.

The order also advises people in Travis County not to travel on roads with "substantial damage due to the flooding, that could threaten public safety unless necessary."