Right now, if you’re standing on the shores of Lake Buchanan, things look... actually pretty good. For anyone who survived the brutal Texas droughts of the last few years, the sight of water lapping against the docks is a relief. But if you’re asking "how full is Lake Buchanan" before you haul the boat out, the answer depends entirely on which data point you’re staring at.
As of January 14, 2026, Lake Buchanan is sitting at 1,017.84 feet.
Basically, that means it’s about 94.5% full.
Wait. Only 94.5%? In most places, that sounds like a win. In Central Texas, where the Highland Lakes act as the lifeblood for everything from Austin’s taps to rice farmers downstream, that number is a bit of a moving target.
The Current State of the Water
You’ve gotta understand that the "full" mark for Buchanan—the conservation pool—is 1,020 feet. Being a little over two feet below that mark might not seem like much, but on a lake this massive, those two feet represent billions of gallons of water.
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Honestly, we are in a much better spot than we were exactly one year ago. In January 2025, the lake was a ghost of itself, languishing around 60% capacity. You could practically walk across parts of the upper end that should have been under ten feet of water.
Why the levels are dropping (slowly)
If you've been watching the gauges over the last week, you might have noticed a slight downward tick. On January 7th, the lake was at 1,018.04 feet. Today? It’s 1,017.84.
Why the drop?
- Releases: The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) is constantly moving water. They released about 565 acre-feet from Buchanan Dam just a couple of days ago.
- Evaporation: Even in January, the Texas sun does work.
- Drought Persistence: While the lake looks healthy, the "Deep South" and surrounding Hill Country are still wrestling with abnormally dry conditions.
It’s a balancing act. The LCRA has to keep enough water in Buchanan and Travis to supply the region, but they also have to account for the fact that Lake Buchanan doesn't have a dedicated "flood pool" like Lake Travis does. Once Buchanan hits 1,020 feet, it’s full. There’s no extra room to store a massive surge from a thunderstorm, so they have to be proactive.
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How Full Is Lake Buchanan Compared to Lake Travis?
People often lump these two together because they’re the "big" reservoirs in the system. But they are behaving very differently right now.
While Buchanan is cruising at 94.5%, Lake Travis is struggling at 78.1%.
Why the massive gap? It’s all about the geography. Buchanan is the first big stop for water coming down the Colorado River. It gets "first dibs" on the inflows from the San Saba River and the upper Colorado basin. Travis has to wait for whatever passes through Buchanan or comes in from the Pedernales River and the Llano River.
If the rain doesn't fall specifically in the Llano or Pedernales watersheds, Travis stays thirsty while Buchanan stays fat.
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The "Full" Illusion
One thing that trips people up is the seasonal conservation pool. Until recently, the LCRA moved the "full" target based on the time of year to help manage flood risks. As of 2025, they’ve simplified things. The conservation pool is now a year-round 1,020.00 feet.
Don't let the 94% number fool you into thinking there’s a drought emergency. For a reservoir of this size, being within two or three feet of the top is considered "healthy" by most hydrologists. It gives the lake room to breathe if a stray tropical system decides to dump six inches of rain in Mason or San Saba.
What This Means for Your Weekend
If you're planning to head out to Black Rock Park or launch from one of the ramps on the east side, you’re in the clear. Most of the major ramps are fully functional at these levels.
You won't see the "islands" that usually pop up when the lake drops below 1,010 feet. Those treacherous granite reefs? They’re mostly tucked away under the surface right now. Still, you’ve gotta be careful. Lake Buchanan is notoriously shallow in spots, and even at 94% full, a submerged stump can ruin your lower unit if you aren't paying attention to your depth finder.
Actionable Steps for Lake Watchers
- Check the Daily Specs: Don't rely on month-old news. The LCRA Hydromet is the gold standard. They update the feet-above-mean-sea-level (msl) every few minutes.
- Monitor the Inflows: Keep an eye on the San Saba River at San Saba. If that gauge spikes, Buchanan is going to rise within 48 to 72 hours.
- Boat Ramp Status: Before you drive two hours, check the Travis/Buchanan boat ramp status on the LCRA website. Just because the lake is "full" doesn't mean every private ramp is maintained or debris-free.
- Water Restrictions: Even with the lake at 94%, many local municipalities (like Burnet or Llano) may still have Stage 1 or 2 watering restrictions in place. Check your local city ordinances before you blast the sprinklers.
Lake Buchanan is currently the "bright spot" of the Highland Lakes system. It’s holding onto its water better than Travis and providing a solid buffer for the rest of the winter. Just keep an eye on the sky—in Texas, we're always just one big storm away from a flood or one long summer away from a dry bed.