Planned Fall Lake Drawdown Gives Shoreline Owners Time to Prepare
Austin, TX · August 23, 2026
Happy Sunday — the final round of bull riding at Moody Center wraps up a packed weekend across town.
The Lead
The City of Austin and the Lower Colorado River Authority have announced a scheduled fall drawdown for Lake Austin, lowering water levels between Mansfield Dam and Tom Miller Dam from October 12 through November 30. Designed to give shoreline property owners and city crews a six-week window for necessary infrastructure care, the drawdown will lower the lake by up to four feet.
The temporary drop allows residents to inspect, repair, or replace bulkheads, docks, and retaining walls, while municipal teams perform structural maintenance on intake pipes and public boat ramps. Additionally, winter exposure to cold air and sunlight helps suppress invasive hydrilla weeds that choke underwater ecosystems during warmer months. Lakefront owners planning repair work must secure required municipal permits before construction begins.
Local Pulse
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Wastewater Spill Cleanup Complete Near Decker Lane Crews contained and sanitized the affected area along FM 969 following an early-week line disruption.
Today's Outlook
- High 105°F · Low 79°F — Overcast
- Expect persistent cloud cover today, but intense triple-digit heat means staying hydrated is crucial.
What's On Around Town
Splash Dance! With Erica Nix Austin Motel (1221 S Congress Ave), 10:00 AM High-energy morning aerobics around the iconic South Congress pool.
Austin Home Show Palmer Events Center (900 Barton Springs Rd), 10:00 AM–5:00 PM Explore local builders, interior design trends, and home improvement experts.
PBR Gambler Days Moody Center (2001 Robert Dedman Dr), 1:45 PM Final day of team bull riding featuring the hometown Austin Gamblers.
Chicken Shit Bingo The Little Longhorn Saloon (5434 Burnet Rd), 4:00 PM A beloved Sunday tradition pairing cold drinks with live country music.
ZZ Top ACL Live at The Moody Theater (310 W 2nd St), 8:00 PM Texas rock legends close out their second night of classic hits.
Spotlight & Story
- Mean Eyed Cat
- Long before it became West Fifth Street's Johnny Cash-themed watering hole, the building at 1621 West Fifth housed Cut-Rite Chainsaw Repair. Converted in 2004, the bar still displays vintage saw blades alongside decades of country music memorabilia.
Austin Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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