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Travis County extends disaster declaration and keeps limited recreational ban on Lake Travis
Summary
The Commissioners Court unanimously extended the county's disaster declaration tied to recent flooding and maintained a temporary recreational ban on a stretch of Lake Travis (mile markers 27'—1), citing hazardous debris and ongoing response operations.
The Travis County Commissioners Court voted unanimously July 21 to continue the county's disaster declaration related to recent heavy rains and flooding and to keep a limited recreational ban on a segment of Lake Travis between mile markers 27 and 37.
"I would make a motion to approve that extension," said County Judge Andy Brown, who participated virtually and explained the motion was intended to keep the county on the same posture until flood mitigation work and LCRA operations allow safe recreational access. Emergency services staff had briefed the court on debris in the main channel and on continued coordination with the Lower Colorado River Authority and local partners. The court approved the continuation of the disaster declaration and the authority continues until the court terminates it.
County emergency and parks officials told the court the decision was driven by safety concerns after crews and lake patrols documented large, sporadic debris fields in the channel that make recreational boating hazardous. Blake Clamford, chief deputy for the Office of Emergency Management, described the multi-agency coordination and monitoring that informed the recommendation to extend the declaration.
The order was approved without dissent; the court recorded the extension and noted the supplemental ban closing parts of the lake to recreation would remain in effect while agencies monitor debris and water flows.
