The new map of the Lake Travis floodplain is out. In 1999, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) and the Army Corps of Engineers began a mapping study of the lake. Their goal was to have more accurate maps of Lake Travis than what were available at that time. The reason? Apparently, there were surveying inaccuracies of Lake Travis during the construction of Mansfield Dam.
Lake Travis, the gem of the Texas Hill Country Highland Lakes chain, was constructed not to provide a water supply, not for recreation, but for flood control. FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, ranks Travis County among the top 10% of counties across the country at risk for significant flash flooding. Prior to the construction of Mansfield Dam, floods would tear through Austin every few years.
What was discovered from the new surveys was that the existing Lake Travis 100 year floodplain was not accurate. The LCRA and Army Corps of Engineers study concluded that the actual risk of a 100 year flood would raise Lake Travis to a level of 722 feet above mean sea level rather than the existing level of 716 feet. The worst flood on Lake Travis brought the lake to a level of 710.44 feet above mean sea level in December, 1991.
So what does this mean for people interested in Lake Travis real estate? Two things come to mind pretty quickly. First, know what resources are available to you for researching property. The first is a good map of Lake Travis. The second is a Lake Travis floodplain map that is a result of the Lake Travis Flood Feasibility Study. This is an interactive pdf that breaks Lake Travis up into small grids. If you see a property you think looks good, locate it on the map and click on the appropriate grid. The map will show lot lines, buildings and docks and both the 716 and 722 foot floodplains. Granted, the information is from 2000 so newer construction or plats will not show, but this is a great place to start. Go to the Lake Travis floodplain map now.
If anyone should get to the point of wanting to make an offer on a Lake Travis property, they need to make sure that their REALTOR® asks for an existing survey showing the elevation of the property. Buyers need to know what part, if any, is in the Lake Travis floodplain. If someone is buying land, they need to make sure that there is adequate room above a certain level for the improvements they want.
Estimates by some put another 1000 or so existing buildings into the new Lake Travis floodplain. With more properties being in the new floodplain, more people will be required by lenders to obtain flood insurance. Existing owners need to do this soon. If owners obtain flood insurance before the official change in the floodplain is made, which is expected to be some time in 2006, established FEMA flood insurance customers can get favorable rates under the Grandfather Rule.
For more information on FEMA flood insurance, people can contact the FEMA Region VI office at 940-898-5127 or the National Flood Insurance Program at 281-829-6880. Information about both programs can also be found at www.fema.gov.
Questions about Lake Travis real estate? Call me at 512-293-2422 or Email Sam Chapman. |