From: Jim Richardson
Subject: RE: Inquiry from Comm. Peter Jones-Llano co

We typically mark or remove hazards to navigation located in the main river channel.  We have been conducting reconnaissance while the lake is down, however, access to Lake LBJ is not available for our work boats. We cannot leave a work boat on the lake during the drawdown, as we have two workboats to cover the area from Lake Buchanan to Matagorda Bay.

We will mark the hazards we have become aware of during the lake drawdown if they fall within the criteria mentioned below.  Also, if your office received questions, complaints or inquiries about potential navigation hazards on the lake, please feel free to send them our way and we will investigate and communicate directly with those having a concern.  The contact in my department is Carroll Cowan, Supervisor, Navigation and Waterway Management.  His email address is href="carrollcowanlcraorg">carrollcowanlcraorg.  It is very helpful, but not necessary,  if photos and a map are included with the complaint.

Lake LBJ is a residential lake with most of its recreational users also being property owners.  All property owners are responsible for removing hazards from their own privately owned property.  LCRA has the same responsibility for property it owns.  One of the things that makes the Highland Lakes unique is that the majority of the land surrounding and beneath the water surface is privately owned.

Sometimes we do mark hazards in coves, but not typically.  If the cove is very large and the hazard is in an area where someone could be legally operating a watercraft at high speed, we may mark or remove these hazards.  It is important to note, no person may operate a  motorized watercraft on the Highland Lakes as a speed greater than the minimum speed necessary to maintain steerageway and headway with 50 feet of the shoreline, structures, swimmers or restricted areas.   This rule prohibits high speed boating in many of the coves on Lake LBJ, including the FM 1431 bridge. LCRA has maintained no wake buoys at the FM 1431 and Hwy 2900 bridges as a public service because the bridge supports fall under the 50 foot rule and it is common for bridge structures to routinely have submerged hazards to navigation. 

In addition, some of the larger coves have separate no wake areas in place.  For example, the City of Granite Shoals adopted a no wake area within its incorporated city limits with 200 feet of the shoreline. We do not mark hazards where watercraft are required to be operated at no wake speed.

In many areas, property owner associations have coordinated cleanup and debris removal efforts with their members. It may be helpful to contact their local property owner associations to find out if any coordinated efforts are underway.

Jim Richardson, Manager

Water Surface Management

Lower Colorado River Authority

(512) 730-6882

 

 

LCRA TO KEEP LAKE LBJ LOWERED 4 FEET THROUGHOUT LAKE DRAWDOWN TO ASSIST TxDOT Additional lowering would hinder RM 2900 bridge replacement project LLANO COUNTY – The Lower Colorado River Authority has temporarily lowered Lake LBJ about 4 feet to assist property owners in clearing debris and making repairs caused by massive floods last October. At the request of TxDOT, which is replacing the RM 2900 bridge washed away in the flooding, LCRA plans to maintain the current lake level the length of the drawdown and will not pursue a plan to potentially lower the lake a little further. LCRA had planned to explore the possibility of lowering Lake LBJ an additional inch at a time, to a maximum of an additional foot, to determine if it could be lowered further without impacting the operations of the Ferguson Power Plant on the shores of Lake LBJ. TxDOT has since requested the lake be maintained at its current lowered level of about 870.8 feet above mean sea level, saying a larger drawdown would hinder the ongoing work at the bridge. “We are pleased to be able to assist TxDOT in this important project by maintaining the lake at a 4-foot drawdown,’’ said LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson. “Rebuilding the bridge as quickly and safely as possible is extremely important to everyone in the area. Though we had considered the potential of perhaps lowering the lake level a little more, it’s clear that keeping the lake level where it is now is the best solution to assist both TxDOT and property owners.’’ The RM 2900 bridge on the Llano River in Kingsland washed away during flooding on Oct. 16. The contractor is working around the clock to rebuild the bridge, with work expected to be complete in April. “We greatly appreciate LCRA’s assistance in maintaining the lake at its current level to enable us to continue work on this priority project during the drawdown,” said Terry McCoy, TxDOT Austin district engineer.  “A lower level would slow us down and make it impossible to use some our construction barges as intended. The decision from LCRA to keep the level where it is now enables us to continue our work quickly and safely.” LCRA is lowering lakes LBJ and Marble Falls to assist property owners in recovering from the recent flooding. Lake LBJ is drawn down about 4 feet and Lake Marble Falls is being lowered about 7 feet. Lake Marble Falls is expected to reach its full lowered level on Jan. 11-12. The refill is scheduled to begin Feb. 24. Unforeseen circumstances such as floods or power emergencies could prompt LCRA to change or cancel the drawdown. For more information, visit lcra.org/lakelowerings.

 

 

 

 

Llano County update on the 2900 bridge and lake lowering

 

Lake LBJ Lake Lowering The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) started to draw down Lake LBJ on January 2^nd but due to recent rains the drawdown has been paused. Lake LBJ is down 2.3 feet at this time to a level of 822.15.  LCRA opened one floodgate at Tom Miller Dam which is expected to close at 6 am Tuesday January 8, 2019. When closed the drawdown will continue until  the 820 level  is reached, reducing the level by 4 feet and possibly slightly more. Due to this delay LCRA will keep Lake LBJ lowered 5 days longer than expected with a plan to raise the lake level starting February 24^th completing February 28^th depending on rains experienced during the lake draw down. 

During the period that the lake is lowered LCRA will mark navigation hazards in the navigable waterways of the Llano River and Lake LBJ.

 

2900 Bridge progress The contract to rebuild the 2900 bridge across the Llano River that was destroyed by the October 2018 flood was awarded by The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT ) on November 5 2018 with a commitment to complete in 150 days to achieve an April 2019 opening to traffic. Today marks the 63^rd day of this contract at a cost of $19,634,703.  As you would imagine when dealing with underwater construction the contractor has discovered issues not previously expected and is revising the construction approach. I called TXDOT today and was advised that construction is still on schedule.

A web cam has been set up to allow viewing of the bridge construction 24/7 and can be viewed at www.325internet.com and click on bridge cam.

 

CR307 Slab Road  TXDOT advised that the CR307 slab low water crossing is open but it has been closed periodically depending upon the rains and amount of water running over the crossing. Anyone using this crossing should do so with care and to go slow since it is a long low water crossing and vehicles pass each other in the middle. As well parts of the crossing that have water flowing across can send up a lot of spray to other vehicles. TXDOT was asked to put up signs of this danger and to also indicated if the slab low water crossing is closed or open with signs at the Kingsland side and at Hwy 71/CR307.  The slab low water crossing has experienced some damage of concrete bumpers and has a crack in one section that TXDOT will repair when the water level lowers. TXDOT inspection confirms that the slab crossing is safe to cross when open but to do so with caution. As well CR307 is an open-range county road with livestock free to roam the road, so any who drive this road should slow down and look for livestock.

 

Peter Jones

Llano County Commissioner Pct 1

P.O. Box 8759

101 Ferguson Rd.

Horseshoe Bay

TX 78657

Email: href="commpct1collanotxus">commpct1collanotxus

Bus phn: 830-598-2296

Cell: 830-385-3292

Fax: 830-598-5231

Recommended Vendors and Contractors

Below is a growing list of resources/recommended vendors for those affected by the floods.  We encourage everyone to start with local contractors first.

If you or someone you know would like to be added to the list please email Mackenziecarvajalgroupcom

If you have a project and don’t know exactly what you need or where to start please give me a call/text with your address and I can go by and have a look and point you in the right direction – Eric Carvajal (512) 786-1515

Here is a link to tips from the Hill Country Builders Association on hiring contractors for flood cleanup

HCBA Tips on Hiring Contractors

 

 

Demolition and Muck out

Garrett Gray, Builder (***Local)

Interior demolition, trash out, clean up and rebuild

(512)809-8753

 

Neom Construction

Full service flood mitigation and rebuild

(512) 694-9273

 

Billy Kelly (*Local)

Debris removal, demolition, haul-away, smaller jobs

(512)745-6686

 

Honey Do Crew catastrophe management

Turn-key flood mitigation

(512) 516-2382

 

Rise Up Refuse

Demolition and clean up

(254)644-4008

 

Andrew Mattingly

Demolition and clean up

(325)248-5561

 

Cleaning (Interior)

Vicky’s Cleaning Service  (*Local)
830-265-9093
We can help with interior house cleaning

 

La-Ti-Da/The Rug Queen (*Local)

(830)693-3700

https://www.therugqueen.com

 

Esmeralda Esparza

(512)803-9089

 

Bill Foulds, Deep Eddy Rug Cleaners

512-452-9916

 

Cleaning (Exterior)

Clear View (*Local)

Window Cleaning/Power Washing

(830) 265-9187

 

Boat Beautiful Mobile Detail (*Local)

Exterior Power washing and boat cleaning/detailing

Andrew Hayslip

(512)963-3290

 

Heavy Equipment Contractors

BW Construction – Bill Wier (*Local)

Heavy equipment contractor, excavation

(830) 220-0312

Brandon Guthrie

Heavy equipment/contractor

(512)755-7094

 

Judd Osborn (*Local)

Debris removal and skidsteer services. Excavator equipped ability to dredge and clean boat slips.

judsonosbourngmailcom

 

General Contractors

Garrett Gray, Builder (*Local)

Full service General Contractor – flood mitigation, boat dock repair/rebuild, new construction, remodel, rebuild

(512)809-8753

 

Double T Builders -Tom Slavin (*Local)

Builder/General Contractor

(325) 388-4822

 

Neom Construction

Full service flood mitigation and rebuild

(512) 694-9273

 

Ryan Guthrie

General Contractor

(512)508-0364

 

Rudy Gilleland

(210)430-0935

 

MS Marshall Construction LLC

(325)388-3689

 

Painting

Fresh Coat – Sarah Ross (*Local)

Painting and minor sheet rock repair

(512) 787-2379

 

Boat Towing

Judd Osborn –  (*Local)

judsonosbourngmailcom

 

Marshall Marine – Large and small jobs (*Local)

**Crane Truck available

(325) 270-0260

 

Sunrise Beach Marine Service -Floating Watercraft (*Local)

325-388-8166

Eric Hibler

830-385-1032 (cell)

Laine

830-798-4150 (cell)

 

Chapman Docks (Large and small jobs)

(325) 388-6545

 

KT Waterfront  (Large and Small Jobs)

(512) 588-0655

 

Bay Marine

(830) 598-8763

(325)388-6900

 

Lost & Found Watercraft

VIN Lookup – Texas Parks and Wildlife

https://apps.tpwd.state.tx.us/tora/jump.jsf

 

Facebook group – “Lost Boats on LBJ”

 

Lost & Found – Other Items

Facebook group – Highland Lakes 2018 Flood Lost and Found

 

 

 

Construction

G. Gray Services

Garret Gray

https://www.ggrayservices.com/

(512) 809-8753

 

Double T Builders (Tom)

https://www.doublethomebuilders.com/

(325) 388-4822

 

Showcase Builder

Ryan Haberer

(512) 745-7241

 

H3 Construction – John Hamilton

(830)613-1186

 

Hallmark Mitigation and Construction

(832)777-1525

 

Lake LBJ Boat Towing & cleanup

(281)798-6401

 

 

Repair Services

Kevin Judd, Personal watercraft repair and recovery

juddski.com

(512)966-5429

 

Insulation and Garage Door Repair/replacement (Local)

31-W Insulation

Stephen Lusby

(512) 596-7143

 

Interior/Exterior Painting

Anita Sharp

(325)248-5804

anitasharp1975gmailcom

 

RH Marine Construction

Hydraulic & cable boat lift installation and repair

Haley and Robert Coffey

(325)423-0533

 

J&B Home Services – Garage Door repair, blinds

(512)298-1292

Jandbhomeservicesgmailcom

 

Joel Esparza, Plumber

(512)552-6372

 

Honey Do Crew Catastrophe Management

(512)516-2383

 

Shoreline RV and Boat Repair

(512)251-1200

www.shorelineboatandrv.com

 

Wheeler Auto and Marine – Boat Recovery/Repair

(830)637-9980

 

Jim Mundy, Masterpiece Paint and Remodeling

(512) 525-1918

 

Fresh Coat Marble Falls FreshCoatPainters.com/Marble-Falls

830-613-3539

 

Air Conditioning

Equipment Mechanical Services (EMS)

(325) 455-3060

 

Wayne’s Air

(325) 388-6463

 

Williams Air

(803)637-9473

 

Miscellaneous Volunteers (Feel free to call them for specific needs)

Paul and Andrea Richter

(210) 789-7733

 

Carey and Dave Hildebrand

(210) 878-5692

 

Church Aid

First Baptist Church Marble Falls

901 La Ventana Marble Falls

(830)693-4381

 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeSZl-eKcBNXVUZjAqOj5SQlwKvZqc8bf6bR03t5aOopnwPmg/viewform?fbclid=IwAR2Auh2Qs22it_gEe1I9Pe9OufssHtGSM-maglBJsIyvrnEeMV0mwRZ79Gc

 

Catholic Relief Services will be in Llano & Kingsland to offer disaster relief:
Llano
Mon & Tue (Oct 22-23)
8 am to 8 pm
Llano Event Center

Kingsland
8 am to 8 pm
Kingsland Community Center

 

Lake Shores Church in Marble Falls

(830)637-7066

 

First United Methodist Church – Central Donation Collection Point

1101 Bluebonnet Dr. Marble Falls

(830)693-4341

 

Kingsland and Marble Falls Churches of Christ have supplies, food, and clothing incoming this week. This page will be updated as more information comes available.

 

Multi-Agency Resource Center

Bring an ID and proof of residence to one the following locations:

 

Kingsland: Wednesday and Thursday from 8am-8pm at the Kingsland Community Center.
Llano: Monday and Tuesday at Llano County Rodeo Center 8am-8pm

Immediate financial assistance, gift cards, supplies, and other resources available as well as help to navigate insurance issues, how FEMA works, and how to be prepared moving forward. If any further questions please contact me. Stay tuned; Much more to come in our efforts to bring relief to victims through the unified front of churches in our area.