Posted: Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:43 PM - 11,993 Readers

By: Jessica Vess

Lake Travis reached 100 percent of its capacity this week after suffering through one of the worst droughts in its history.

According to a report the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) released Wednesday morning, levels at Lake Travis reached more than 681 unit feet.

The soil is already saturated because of the recent steady rains. Rainfall expected on Wednesday will likely run off directly into the river system, feeding the lake even more.

The lake is rising quickly with continuous rainfall the area has been getting. In early February it was at just 76 percent capacity.

However, not all of the Highland Lakes are seeing this improvement. Lake Buchanan still sits at 71 percent of its capacity.

Most of the rain Central Texas received fell south of Lake Buchanan. It's taking longer to fill. Officials with the LCRA remain hopeful it too will fill by the summer boating season.

“Spring is typically the wettest time of the year. So, with the effects of El Nino still lingering across the area, we're very hopefully that these generous rains will keeps up and lake levels will continue to rise throughout the Spring months,” said Bob Rose, LCRA meteorologist.

Businesses along the lakes are growing excited about the increase.

“Every cloudy rainy day just means were going to have one more sunny day in the summer this is great insurance for us we love to see it,” said Pete Clark, owner of Just for Fun Water Rentals.

Businesses including Just for Fun took a hit last summer. Clark says it was one of the worst years on record for his business.

The drought caused lake levels to drop to one of its lowest levels in history, forcing the LCRA to close access to public boat ramps and bringing islands across the lake to the surface.

*  Story Contributed by: Jessica Vess