I don't think the lowered lake level has anything to do with grass management. The power plant isn't operating so they don't need to maintain the water level. I realize it costs money to pump water into the lake, but it is a very popular fishing lake, and Austin is the 11th largest city in the US. I fish there a lot, as do many others. The lake adds to Austin residents quality of life, but the amenities and the ramp itself are terrible. You'd think with the tax base the City has they could 1) pump enough water to maintain the minimum level needed to launch boats, since it is now a lake primarily for recreational use 2) Do something about the condition of the ramp. There are not even any port-a-potties at the ramp anymore and the lake has been steadily falling for months. The are pumping now, but they should have started pumping a month ago. With the amount of water they can pump it looks like it will be several weeks before you can safely launch again. Believe me I am thankful there is a ramp, but as I said in my original post it is the same condition it was 30 years ago when I moved to Austin. I have damaged my prop on the ramp as have many, many others even when there is adequate water there to launch. How hard would it be to get an end-loader out there and clean up the rock, silt, and broken concrete at the ramp and put a few port-a-potties in? The second ramp has been closed for years because there is a pile of silt and rock at the end of it that could be easily removed with heavy equipment.

Cause CoA doesn't care about Decker. Bet you this though, the day it's developed or has houses around it that ramp will be real nice real quick. I see it's future as a depleted fishery void of vegetation and lots of wake boats...

Are you sure they are pumping water? It definitely was not on 2 weeks ago when I went. We went through this exact cycle (lake dropped for 3 months, started pumping in oct) last year and it took a solid month to see a noticeable change in water level.


Also FYI, the 2nd ramp was open for spring and fall but closed as the water level started to drop in June. Power plant has been running most of summer too. For some reason, last 2 years they have not maintained the water level.


CoA may try to 'care' about that area soon with their new park but once they realize the type of neighborhoods around it won't last long.

Yes, they are definitely pumping water. It is welling up from the pipe near the ramp. Yes, I agree that it will probably be some time before the ramp is usable again for bass boats as it doesn't appear to be a huge amount of water, unless they get some rain right over the lake. There are only a couple of small creeks that feed the lake.

My boat sits high on the trailer, but with a low trailer you might be able to get in. You might also damage your boat getting it off.

Yes, saw the second ramp was open earlier in the year, but it has that silt/rock bar that closed it far earlier than the main ramp. Again, much of this could probably be solved with a few pieces of heavy equipment.

When Power Plant lake water levels are down, it is always "we're working on the plant, we're working on the dam or we're killing the grass". I have never heard someone tell the truth and say "the lake is low because water levels just aren't important to us."

If they wanted to kill the grass just drop it another few feet and what little is left the 1 million coots in January and February will get

Has anyone "SEEN" the newest/latest/greatest so called plan the city has for the lake?? I remember a couple years ago there were several plans on the table with what to do with the area. Last I saw they had planned to drop the water level to make more acreage for a golf course and adding area to the park???

Yep. Change the name to “Double Decker”

City of Austin is truly run by a bunch of liberal idiots. Don't even try to understand their thinking because it is not logical.

I saw a plan that included all kinds of development. The proposed budget was $800 million and would take 20 years to complete! (They must be planning on using the same GC that is working on FM 2978 by my house.)

Here is what I was told by a friend in the know: we were recently made aware of an agreement between LCRA and Austin Energy which stipulates that Austin Energy will not request water releases to refill Decker Lake unless the level falls below 553 (MSL) feet. Once that happens, then water is requested from LCRA and Austin Energy will start pumping water from the Colorado River. My understanding is that they will pump until lake elevation reaches 554 feet and then they’ll cancel the request for LCRA to release water to them.

Isn't Decker's normal pool level 555?

Anyone fishing Decker? How's the water level?

If you go let me know how the ramps are Skeeter! I live in Jonestown not too far from you.

The recent vote didn't include the development. Looks to be on hold for now.