Overview

• Effective Sept. 2, Austin will shift from Stage 2 drought restrictions to its baseline Conservation Stage after July flood inflows refilled Lakes Buchanan and Travis to about 94% combined.
• The LCRA forecasts combined storage will stay above 1.4 million acre-feet for at least four months, meeting the criteria to exit drought stages.
• Automatic irrigation remains limited to one assigned day per week, only before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
• Hose-end sprinklers and drip irrigation are allowed up to two designated days per week during the same time windows, with hand-held watering permitted at any time.
• Restaurants may serve water only on request, car washing requires a shut-off nozzle or bucket, patio misters can run 4 p.m. to midnight, and Austin Water will continue patrols with warnings and fines for violations.