flooding

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Flooding, fire and the loss of the beloved Bluebonnet Belle topped headlines in The Highlander for 2018.

Historic flood event

Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

In the aftermath of the October flood event, Marble Falls city officials are “moving forward as originally planned” with accepting bids on the $3 million phase 1A component of a multi-faceted parks improvement plan, ranging from a shoreline retaining wall to mitigate flood damage to new amenities such as a planned man-made beach in Lakeside Park.

City officials hosted a mandatory pre-bid conference Nov. 14 at Lakeside Pavilion to share information with engineers, members of the construction industry and infrastructure representatives who could become involved in projects.

“The city is following our original plan for moving forward with several of our Capital Improvement projects this year,” City Manager Mike Hodge said in a statement.

City staff believes the existing plan coincides with needed fixes and future flooding considerations.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Marble Falls-based developer and lawyer Steve Hurst says he has witnessed a few missteps by city governments in planning and preparing for development in flood prone areas.

“I've watched this for years, representing clients in and around Austin and this area. I've lived on Lake Travis, Inks Lake, and I've had property on Lake Marble Falls,” Hurst said. “Shoal Creek and Waller Creek in Austin – the millions of dollars the city of Austin is having to spend right now in those flood plains.

“Development continued, but the cost of remediation and the damage to properties when those flood events occurred was stunning, and they're still spending money trying to address it,” he added. “We're not learning those lessons.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) officials conducted a press conference in Austin Oct. 26, revealing the bridge could be completed as early as April 2019.

Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Plans take shape to replace the collapsed RR 2900 Bridge in Kingsland, as Texas Department of Transportation coordinate engineering meetings, draft designs and seek an emergency contract to potentially begin the process in December, officials say.

On Oct. 16, flood waters from Junction swept into the Llano River eventually slamming into the Highland Lakes at the mouth of Lake LBJ, washing away the structure.

Editor's Note: As of noon on Saturday, Oct. 20, the city of Marble Falls has rescinded the public boil water notice.

Connie Swinney •
Staff Writer •

About 72 hours after flooding, Marble Falls city officials have lifted recommended limits on showering and washing dishes after crews repaired the city's sewer plant. However, as of Oct. 19 residents remained in mandatory stage 5 water restrictions and a boil water notice as workers waited for parts for the city's flood-damaged water plant.

On Oct. 16, flood waters from the Llano River rushed into the Highland Lakes submerging lakeside homes and damaging private property as well as some public roadways and city infrastructure.

The event was also marked by temporary evacuations due to concerns about swift water, flooded low-water crossings and low-lying areas.

By Savanna Gregg

Staff Writer

The Highlander

After buckets of rain filled the Colorado and Llano Rivers on Tuesday, Oct. 16, the Lower Colorado River Authority made the decision to open eight flood gates at Buchanan Dam to release much of the floodwaters.

This in turn created a hazard for residents living along Lakes Buchanan, Inks, Wirtz, Starcke, Mansfield, and Tom Miller as waters began to rush through the Highland Lakes on Tuesday evening.

To ensure the safety of its campers and visitors, officials at Inks Lake State Park decided to close their trails on Tuesday, Oct. 16 when the first four gates were opened.

Upon the next four gates being opened on Wednesday, Oct. 17, park officials made the decision to close the park entirely, moving 34 campers out and discouraging other visitors as waters continued to rise.

Connie Swinney •
Staff Writer •

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has ordered the city of Marble Falls to alert all residents today (Oct. 17) to boil water for consumption, following flooding of several neighborhoods due to stormwater runoff making its way into the Highland Lakes from the Llano River in the last 24 hours.

The Marble Falls Police Department Emergency Operations Center (EOC) issued the alert, “Due to conditions which indicate that the potability of the drinking water supply has been compromised as a result of recent flooding.”

Editor's Note: As of 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16 the Marble Falls Middle School shelter has reached capacity. Marble Falls First Baptist Church, 901 La Ventana Dr., has been established as a new shelter location.

Compiled by Savanna Gregg •
Staff Writer •

As flood waters continue to plague areas of Burnet and Llano counties Oct. 16, residents – and their pets – were evacuated from their homes to area shelters.

Flood waters in the Llano River ushered in by thunderstorms in a 24-hour period have wreaked havoc in the Highland Lakes.

Area emergency first responders have assisted residents in communities including Meadowlakes and Marble Falls as well as Llano and Kingsland in getting to higher ground.

For those who do not have alternative accommodations, officials have established temporary shelters until the flood waters subside.

From staff reports •

The Lower Colorado River Authority was expected to open flood gates at Wirtz and Starcke Dams Tuesday, Oct. 9, and Wednesday, Oct. 10, due to a large inflow of water from flooding along the Llano River which will pass through Lake Marble Falls.

City of Marble Falls issued an alert Monday afternoon to remind residents that while Lake Marble Falls' level is expected to remian within its normal operating range as a constant-level lake, fast moving currents could carry away unsecured boats and other aquatic items. Residents were being asked to monitor weather conditions for the next several days as conditions could change.