AUSTIN - Yesterday, Austin Water crews responded to a failed gate at Longhorn Dam. One of nine Longhorn Dam gates which control lake levels failed in the open position while being inspected and repaired as part of a Capital Improvement Project. This caused the water level of Lady Bird Lake to fall to approximately 2 feet below normal level.  
 
Austin Water contractors were able to manually stop the flow of water late Tuesday evening.  A series of temporary barriers, called stop-logs, were installed which sealed the gate and help to stabilize water level at Lady Bird Lake. The temporary stop-logs will remain in place until permanent repairs, which are underway, are completed. Austin Water and the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) have coordinated to gradually refill the lake to normal levels over the course of this afternoon into the evening. This will entail a gradual rise of approximately 3 to 4 inches per hour.   
 
The previous road closure on South Pleasant Valley Road was reopened to normal motor and pedestrian traffic yesterday evening.   
 
Austin Water values the collaboration with the City of Austin’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management and Watershed Protection Department, Travis County, Bastrop County, the City of Bastrop, the LCRA, and the Austin community who united during this event.