Lake Travis has risen about a foot since last Tuesday, Sept. 4, according to the Lower Colorado River Authority. This is the first time a rise like this has occurred since August 2017, LCRA Public Information Officer Clara Tuma said.

Tuma said the recent rains over the lake and water flowing into from tributaries such as the Pedernales River caused the rise. A water supply reservoir, Lake Travis rises when it rains and holds water for use during drier times, according to LCRA.

Because the ground was so dry, Tuma said the recent rains soaked into the parched soil, and as the soil became more saturated, water began to runoff into the lakes. Conditions are great for more runoff to occur if the area sees additional rain in the next few days, she said.

Lake Travis is one of two water supply reservoirs in the Highland Lakes chain, which provides water to more than 1 million people and to industries, businesses and agriculture, according to LCRA.