Your Daily Guide

City Council Will Consider New Data Center Restrictions

Austin City Council members will discuss a resolution this week that would require water conservation efforts from data centers that are built in the city. The resolution could also end some non-disclosure practices. [Austin American-Statesman]

APA! Needs Fosters, Adopters After Flooding

Austin Pets Alive! is offering name-your-fee adoptions and is asking for three-week fosters after taking in more than 270 animals from areas impacted by flooding. You can also help by purchasing items off the shelter’s Amazon wish list. [Austin Pets Alive!]

Jurors To Receive Thousands in Sheriff Case

Twelve jurors and two alternates will receive $27,000 each in the evidence tampering case against former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody and assistant county attorney Jason Nassour. The jurors heard three days of evidence before prosecutors dismissed the charges against Chody and Nassour. [KVUE]

• Chody and Nassour were charged in relation to the death of Javier Ambler in 2019. [KXAN]

Activity on Austin Lakes To Resume

Activity will be allowed again on Lady Bird Lake, Lake Austin, and the Colorado River beneath Longhorn Dam after 5 p.m. today. The city prohibited use of kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and other vessels over the weekend after floodgates on the dams in the Highland Lake reservoir system were opened. [KUT]

Lake Travis is full for the first time since 2019 due to heavy rainfall in recent days. Here’s what you need to know:

Austin Is Seeing Above Average Rainfall

The National Weather Service has recorded 4.17 inches of rainfall at Camp Mabry, the city’s main weather station, so far this month. Normally by July 19, the area records just 1.30 inches of rain.

Additionally, heavy rain in the Hill Country caused flooding, which pushed runoff from the Highland Lakes into Lake Travis, the Lower Colorado River Authority said.

Lake Travis is considered full when it reaches 681 feet above sea level and as of Monday, the lake was just under 684 feet above sea level.

Floodgates Have Been Opened

The Lower Colorado River Authority opened two floodgates at Mansfield Dam on Lake Travis. The lake was built to capture floodwaters and hold them until they can be safely released downstream.

“The Highland Lakes system is operating as designed, moving water through the lakes in an orderly manner,” said John Hofmann, LCRA’s executive vice president of water.

Floodgates were also opened at Wirtz Dam on Lake LBJ and Starcke Dam on Lake Marble Falls.

The opening of the floodgates at Mansfield Dam caused fast water flow and an increase of debris in the waters beneath the dam, which include Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake, and the Colorado River below Longhorn Dam. Recreational activities on those waterways are banned through 5 p.m. today.

Lake Travis Is Experiencing Some Closures

Travis County Judge Andy Brown issued an order banning recreational use on Lake Travis between mile markers 27 and 37.

“Recent flooding has caused debris and hazards to collect along the Pedernales River and throughout Lake Travis. Because of this threat, it was imperative for Travis County to limit use of Lake Travis between mile marker 27 to 37,” Brown said.

To find the current status of a Travis County park, check the county’s website.