Inks Lake drawdown in January

The Lower Colorado River Authority will lower Inks Lake by about 8 feet in early 2018. The lake drawdown is to allow landowners in the area the chance to perform maintenance on their lakeside structures. It also aids in regulating the growth of unwanted aquatic plants by exposing them to harsh above-water conditions that kill off unruly vegetation. The drawdown will begin Jan. 2, and the lake will be lowered by about 2 feet a day until Jan. 5. Refill will begin on Feb. 10, and will continue until Feb. 13. Landowners don’t need a permit to make dock repairs during this time period, but all work must conform to LCRA’s Safety Standards for Residential Docks on the Highland Lakes. Retaining wall maintenance, such as dredging or debris removal, may be done under LCRA’s lakewide permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers if it meets the permit requirements, but it must be registered with LCRA before work begins. Find forms, an FAQ on lake lowering, a fact sheet on activities allowed under LCRA’s permit, and more on the LCRA site.