Hill Country Highland Lakes Half Full Despite Rain

Even with abundant rain, water levels remain low

Drought continues to affect the Highland Lakes of the Texas Hill Country, despite more abundant rain so far this year than last year.

A Wednesday statement from the Lower Colorado River Authority says Lakes Buchanan and Travis, the biggest lakes upstream from Austin, are slightly less than half full. That's an improvement from the low of 37 percent late last year, but the water levels remain well below their April average.

Water flows into the lakes during the year's first quarter approached historical averages, and even surpassed the historical average for March. That's the first time that happened since April 2010.

April has been dry, however, and water levels were significantly lower Wednesday -- 48 percent of capacity -- than at the same point last year -- 71 percent.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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