Does anyone know why the water level has been so low? It looks to be about 4 to 6 feet down.
Thanks

My buddy took his 21 boat out there this week and said he bottomed out his trailer at the end of the ramp. If he didn't have 4 wheel drive he said he didn't think he could have gotten it out of the lake. Careful if you're taking a big boat.

We're in a drought lol. We need some rain bad.

Decker does not need rain, they have the ability to pump water from the colorado to decker. Facing the water will standing on the ramp it is about 50 yards out just to the left. They release water from Travis to flow downstream. So they can easily pump it into decker as they have in years past. A few things are happening here when you look at the big picture. First they are decommissioning the power plant, so they will no longer need water to cool the plant down. Secondly, city of Austin has drafted up a master plan for the lake and the land surrounding decker. we the fisherman have banned together and attended these so cal COA meetings to help combat and try to maintain the integrity of the lake. There were 4 different plans and to of them drastically change the lake entirely while the other 2 somewhat maintained it.....However, you are dealing with the COA, so they only let you think you are making a difference while they go and do what they want....Its all about the might $1 and we as fisherman do not contribute the amount of money than can make a significant change to the lake. So they just won't pump the water from the river tot he lake, therefore the lake being in a so called drought, no one can use the ramp, so then nobody uses the lake, etc, etc, etc....you see were I am going with this right. I sure hope I am wrong but I doubt I will be, just form COA past history performance. Another great fishery will be gone.

Don I hear what you're saying. COA will do whatever they want and they will usually lean towards weird over normal which means us fisherman don't have much of a chance in this battle.

I didn't know about releasing the water. That to me is puzzling since LCRA owns and manages the release of water from lake Travis and is in competition with Austin Energy at least when it comes to the Decker Power Plant. Austin Energy just won a bid that will keep the Decker plant online at least through next summer. LCRA does partner with Austin Energy on some things tho. Maybe AE is buying that water from LCRA? That would make sense.

YES Decker does need rain.....especially when pumping water in is no longer a priority. Like so many power plant lakes (Squaw, Fayette Co, Fairfield.....they were built on water sheds without adequate runoff especially with higher evaporation form the hot water caused from generating and rely on water pumped in from another source.

I was out there over the weekend, and the water level was wayyyyy down, and some boats couldn't get off the trailer, or back on. Somebody said they hit something hard leaving the ramp.
Tim

I have found out through the grapevine that they are now filling the lake back up...my source stated that the reason they lowered the lake was to kill the grass. Just what I was told.

I've seen them lower the level before to do some maintenance work at the plant. Grass is definitely thick this year. I may hit it tomorrow. I think I'll just take my jet boat so I don't have to worry about the water level.

Thanks for all the input here, I’ve fished this lake for years and have always enjoyed it, there are some nice LMB there, I will hate to see her go when it does go that way.

Just FYI, they are pumping water back into decker. Started on Saturday. Lake has come up just a little bit, but with heavy rain over night it should really pick up next 24hr.

I launched by 20 ft bass cat this morning, just have to be very careful and trim high.

You fished in that monsoon? How was it?

I fished 630-10 am, no rain then. Bite was OK, but I usually do a lot better this time of year.

Glad to hear there pumping water back in. Usually do pretty good around the water coming in, good oxygenated water.
Will probably hit it early next week.
Thanks for all the comments,
Emmett

Talked with a guy at basspro earlier today who said he fished it earlier this week, but he made no mention of a low water issue. I am now concerned because I'm headed there with a buddy Sunday. Usually kill em on Decker (last trip was a 22# bag after culling from roughly 30 fish), but now I'm worried enough about the level that I called COA parks. They were less than useless so I still have no idea if I can even launch. I have trouble launching there anyway and if the level is way low I'm "attached to another object by an inclined plane, wrapped helically around an axis" and will need to find another lake. How's Bastrop been?