Lake Buchanan is within about a foot and a half of full. The Lower Colorado River Authority said on Oct. 29, 2026, that rain in July and September pushed Lakes Buchanan and Travis to a combined 95 percent full, about 1.9 million acre feet. For Burnet County, home to Buchanan, Inks and Marble Falls lakes, that is a big change from recent dry years. Lee, Lee & Puckitt, a San Angelo farm and ranch brokerage, walks through what LCRA is watching and what it means for landowners.
What LCRA Is Watching
With the lakes this full, LCRA said it is in a heightened state of readiness for floods:
- Lake Buchanan is about 1.5 feet from full, and floodgates at Buchanan Dam may open with little notice if heavy rain falls near the lake, in its watershed or on Pecan Bayou.
- Lake Travis is about 3.5 feet below full and is the only Highland Lake with a dedicated flood pool.
- Inks, LBJ, Marble Falls and Austin are pass through lakes with no storage room, so floodwater moves straight downstream.
LCRA also noted that forecasters, including its own meteorologist Bob Rose, expect El Niño could bring above normal rain in the coming months.
Still Dry on the Ranch
Full lakes do not mean wet pastures everywhere. Burnet County commissioners put a 90 day outdoor burn ban in place on Oct. 13 because of dry conditions, after a 128 acre fire near Bertram on County Road 200 was contained Oct. 10. Landowners should check the county’s current order before burning brush.
Advice for Lakefront and Creek Owners
If you own land on the lakes or on creeks that feed them, keep an eye on lcra.org/flood, move equipment and hay up from low ground when heavy rain is forecast, and check fences and water gaps after high water.
Burnet County Land
Burnet County’s mix of lake views, granite hills and ranch land draws buyers from Austin and beyond. Full lakes make waterfront and lake view properties more appealing, and ranches with good grass and live water hold their value well. Agricultural and wildlife valuations still matter on larger tracts, so buyers should ask about them early.
Wildlife and Grazing Valuations
Many Burnet County landowners carry an agricultural or wildlife management valuation on their property taxes. Keeping grazing leases, wildlife management plans and annual reports current with the Burnet Central Appraisal District protects that valuation. When a ranch changes hands, buyers want to see those records, and a clean file helps keep the closing on schedule and the taxes predictable.
Call Lee, Lee & Puckitt
To talk about a Hill Country ranch in Burnet County, call Lee, Lee & Puckitt at 325.655.6989 or visit llpranchland.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How full is Lake Buchanan? LCRA said on Oct. 29, 2026, that Lake Buchanan was about 1.5 feet from full, with Buchanan and Travis 95 percent full combined.
Could LCRA open floodgates at Buchanan Dam? Yes. LCRA said it may need to open floodgates with little advance notice if heavy rain falls in the watershed.
Is there a burn ban in Burnet County? Commissioners adopted a 90 day outdoor burn ban on Oct. 13, 2026. Check with the county for the current status.
About Lee, Lee & Puckitt
For more than six decades, Lee, Lee & Puckitt has listed and appraised farms and ranches. The company began in Bronte in 1962, has been in San Angelo since 1977, and covers Texas and New Mexico.
Sources
- LCRA, “Recent rain boosts the Highland Lakes,” Oct. 29, 2026
- Citizen Portal, “Burnet County enacts 90 day burn ban amid dry conditions,” Oct. 2026
- Watch Duty, County Road 200 Fire, Oct. 2026
- Related: Hill Country listings, Contact
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Buchanan_dam_texas_2014.jpg). Cropped.
