Well it is happening. We are finally getting the El Niño based winter rain we were promised. Unfortunately most of this rain has been downriver of lake Travis. Only around a 1/2 inch has fallen around lake LBJ, around 3/4 of an inch around lake marble falls, and between 1.5 and 2.5” around lake Travis. The pedernales river has gotten around 1.5-2” so far.

East of lake Travis though and it’s been a whammy. Most downtown areas picked up 3” overnight and south of the river was a real winner this time with up to 4” in some places.

What this means is that the creeks downtown are swollen. Shoal creek rose from zero to 1240cfs. It is now a class 5 rapids, be careful. Walnut Creek rose from zero to 2480cfs. Expect some flooding around.

Barton creek has risen from 0 to 160 cfs. With the next 3 days of rain, I expect this creek to swell and then to close Barton springs as the creek behind it overflows the tunnels and floods the pool. So if you want to get in a swim do so now before the pool closes for cleanup.

We still have a good chance for highland lakes replenishment as these pacific storms have brought lots of rain to California and they keep parading across the country. But so far, the lake situation hasn’t really improved one iota.

This is one example when if we had the arbuckle reservoir we could’ve captured this. There is 5164cfs flowing down the Colorado river south of town that will flow to the gulf. That could’ve been stored by arbuckle if it would’ve been finished by now.

Let’s hope some of the rain bands target the highland lakes area.