Burn ban extended; ranchers now burning prickly pear

Posted: Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:23 PM - 15,056 Readers

Burnet County commissioners Tuesday extended the burn ban for unincorporated areas of the county by 90 days as the numbing drought that that is drying up local water supplies continues unabated.

"It's still incredibly dry out there," Burnet County Environmental Services Director Herb Darling told county commissioners at their meeting Tuesday.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery lamented the almost negligible amount of inflows into Lake Buchanan, which along with Lake Travis are reservoir lakes at each end of the Highland Lakes that provide drinking water for more than 1.2 million people in Central Texas as well as for agricultural and industrial purposes for downstream customers.

"There are a lot of zeros there," Dockery said as he studied the Lower Colorado River Authority's Hydromet Data Map on it's website, which tracks real-time inflows into the Colorado River and the lakes.

An increasing number of livestock owners who have not sold their animals are resorting to burning prickly pear and using it as a food source, a practice that remains legal under the burn ban's agriculture exception, Darling said.

* Story Contributed by: James Walker

[edit]

Lake Travis News

Alerts

LCRA to reopen Lake Travis for public use Wednesday Nov 6, 2018	71,398 Readers
LCRA: Lakes could open by Nov. 2 depending on conditions Oct 30, 2018	64,346 Readers
Mansfield Dam floodgates to close starting Thursday Oct 30, 2018	66,957 Readers
LCRA will not open more gates at Mansfield Dam at this time Oct 18, 2018	64,532 Readers
Lago Vista residents prepare to evacuate due to flooding of Lake Travis Oct 18, 2018	68,025 Readers
An incredible view of an open Mansfield Dam : Youtube video Oct 18, 2018	63,951 Readers
Lake Travis expected to hit highest level since 1991 by Friday Oct 17, 2018	64,149 Readers
Hike and bike trail on Lady Bird Lake closed due to rising water Oct 17, 2018	62,157 Readers
Lake Travis expected to open 4 more floodgates. Take Precaution Oct 17, 2018	64,871 Readers
Record number of Mansfield dam floodgates could open Oct 17, 2018	58,846 Readers

Entertainment

JAWS is Returning To Theaters This Summer For Its 50th Anniversary! Mar 8, 2025	4,515 Readers
Alamo’s Jaws on the Water is back to scare you while you float on Lake Travis May 15, 2018	60,819 Readers
This student’s wakeboarding graduation photoshoot is so epic she deserves another degree May 8, 2018	59,521 Readers
Here’s why you can’t swim in Lady Bird Lake. Wait — you can’t swim in Lady Bird Lake? Aug 8, 2017	64,959 Readers
5 Ways to Try Paddleboarding in Austin Aug 4, 2017	61,904 Readers
Why Is Hippie Hollow Clothing-Optional? Jul 31, 2017	66,331 Readers
JAWS on the Water - Friday, June 30th Jun 27, 2017	60,962 Readers
Memorial Day Weekend watercraft ban on Lake Austin May 25, 2017	62,410 Readers
Travis County officials prep for Memorial Day weekend on Lake Travis May 23, 2017	60,203 Readers
West Austin 4-H Offers Opportunities Beyond Just Raising Animals Aug 9, 2016	70,720 Readers

Weather

Lake levels falling fast as Texas drought continues Jul 27, 2022	55,336 Readers
Repairing Lake Travis homes damaged by flooding Nov 2, 2018	67,498 Readers
Lake Travis now more than 120 percent full Oct 17, 2018	57,892 Readers
Graveyard Point residents brace for flooding Oct 17, 2018	59,368 Readers
Floodgate Operations Underway at Local Lakes During Flooding Oct 16, 2018	59,174 Readers
As Flood Risk Increases, Austin Will Revisit Its Floodplain Building Rules Oct 15, 2018	58,801 Readers
Up to 35 days of 100-degree heat this summer in Austin area, LCRA says May 9, 2018	62,253 Readers
Lake Buchanan rises nearly 8 inches due to rain Aug 8, 2017	64,757 Readers
One floodgate open at Starcke Dam Aug 7, 2017	62,717 Readers
Driving on RM 620, I see islands sticking out of the lake. Is the drought returning? Jul 14, 2017	63,096 Readers

Sports

Spectacular catch highlights our High School Plays of the week Oct 16, 2018	57,506 Readers
Classic Berth, Big Payday On The Line At Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest May 15, 2018	59,828 Readers
Several newcomers already set to play for Texas in 2017 Aug 7, 2017	61,321 Readers
PGA to Austin: We had lots of fun, so let’s do it again in 2017 Apr 1, 2016	72,184 Readers
Jordan Spieth Off To Good Start In Austin Return Mar 24, 2016	71,911 Readers
Katy vs Lake Travis game makes the list! Jan 13, 2016	70,458 Readers
Game of the week: Lake Travis (7-0) at Westlake (7-0) Oct 19, 2015	72,120 Readers
Lake Travis repeats as regional golf champions Apr 17, 2015	73,969 Readers
Lake Travis’ Bacon ties national HR record Mar 14, 2015	76,432 Readers
Westlake, Lake Travis sweep District 14-6A awards Mar 11, 2015	75,739 Readers

Business

Shack 512 Relaxed, lakeside dining accessible by car or by boat May 16, 2018	60,037 Readers
Residents addressing wildfire risks in Lake Travis, Westlake May 16, 2018	59,107 Readers
Ex-Point Venture water employee accused of misappropriating $65K May 16, 2018	59,794 Readers
West Lake Hills’ new drainage manual created in an effort to reduce flooding May 15, 2018	61,758 Readers
Round Rock City Council approves cost share for zebra mussel control in Lake Travis May 11, 2018	62,304 Readers
Nautical Boat Clubs Launches Lake Austin Location in Westlake May 5, 2018	61,659 Readers
City looking for help to curb storm drain pollution Aug 5, 2017	61,145 Readers
Apache Shores features waterfront views, trails, park Jul 14, 2017	61,791 Readers
10-year Mansfield Dam rehabilitation project will keep Austin safe Apr 27, 2017	61,381 Readers
Overflowing Lake Travis isn't all bad news for businesses Jun 8, 2016	71,404 Readers

Real Estate

Appraisal protest trend continues as assessments rise May 16, 2018	59,516 Readers
Go Inside This Lake Austin Remodel May 10, 2018	57,280 Readers
Modern guesthouse tower adds space, views to lakeside cabin Sep 28, 2017	64,051 Readers
A Striking Sanctuary in Texas Inspired by a Sand Dollar Aug 8, 2017	62,550 Readers
Contemporary Architectural Masterpiece on Lake Austin Jul 30, 2017	60,641 Readers
Lake Austin mansion with a Romeo and Juliet balcony, including dramatic backstory Jul 28, 2017	60,905 Readers
Midcentury-modern home overlooks Lake Austin, Pennybacker Bridge May 27, 2016	72,730 Readers
Lake Travis Waterfront Retreat Offered by Heritage Luxury Real Estate Auctions May 18, 2016	71,229 Readers
In Lago Vista, big dreams for $68 million ranch property May 14, 2016	71,120 Readers
This Texas Barn Mansion on Lake Travis is Out of This World May 6, 2016	74,905 Readers

News Archives 2011 - Select a Month