LCRA Vote Resonates in Spicewood Beach
The community well in Spicewood Beach ran dry amid last year's drought. Photo by StateImpact TexasAudio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
A recent vote by the Lower Colorado River Authority means that more water from the Highland Lakes could be sent downstream for rice farming early next year.
It was a vote watched with anticipation down the entire Colorado River basin, but perhaps nowhere more than in Spicewood Beach — the Highland Lakes town that was the first community in Texas to run out of water amid last year’s drought.
The first indication that things are still not right in Spicewood Beach comes as you reach town. Where you’re greeted with a welcome sign and a notice that stage four drought restrictions are in effect.
Then come the ‘For Sale’ signs. There seems to be one on every block. The drought is alive and well in this small Highland Lakes community.
“Oh, there’s vacancies all through here and unbelievably low prices, but there’s not takers,” said Spicewood resident Jim Watson. “Who wants a house with no water?”
Read the whole story at StateImpact Texas.
Podcast: Download (4.8MB)
