Water levels at Lakewood Park have remained 4 feet below the previously observed levels for nearly 10 months. (Hamera Shabbir/Community Impact)
The city of Leander is still in talks with the Upper Brushy Creek Water Control and Improvement District nearly 10 months after city staff first reached out about lower water levels at Lakewood Park.
Water levels at Lakewood Park are about 4 feet lower than previously observed, with the city and Upper Brushy Creek WCID disagreeing on the reason why. However, Assistant City Manager Edwin Revell said during the City Council's regular meeting July 2 that he believes a solution is possible.
The timeline
The normal pool level at Lakewood Park is now nearly 4 feet lower than previously measured, according to city documents. While the normal pool level for Dam 3 previously was 876.8 feet, city documents indicate that water levels have fallen to 872.8 feet.
If the water level remains at its current level, Revell said the city may evaluate changes to the amenities at the lake. (Courtesy Claire Love)
This drop reflects the fact that the dam’s water level is no longer set to the higher elevation of the spillway inlet weir, but to the elevation of the low-flow port, which is the lowest opening that can release water from the dam.
Leander city staff contacted Upper Brushy Creek WCID on Sept. 19, 2025, about lower water levels at Lakewood Park.
“The initial response we got back [from WCID] was that there was an error and it would be corrected,” Revell said. “Then, later on, we got a response that basically said [...] on exactly Oct. 30, 2025, that the lake was at the proper levels.”
By early November, the city received a response from Upper Brushy Creek WCID stating that the lower levels were always the intended level for the lake. Additionally, Upper Brushy Creek WCID claimed that the previous higher level was incorrect because plywood had been placed on the low-pour ports, manipulating the openings.
Afterward, then-Mayor Pro Tem Na’Cole Thompson sent a letter asking Upper Brushy Creek WCID board leadership to restore the previous higher water level. City staff met with the Upper Brushy Creek WCID staff later that month to discuss water levels and push to restore the higher lake levels.
When the city requested additional information in January, Upper Brushy Creek WCID responded with 4,000 files in February. After reviewing the files, the city sent another letter June 18 asking about the timeline of changes to the water level and the inspection history of the low-flow ports, among other questions.
City documents indicate Upper Brushy Creek WCID claims the low-flow ports were illegally covered sometime after 2018, which Leander contests.
"Leander’s position is that the lake level has not been controlled by the lowest elevation,” Revell said. “We also conclude the low-flow covers were intentionally placed prior to 2018. That’s based on the review of the videos, inspection records and maintenance records that WCID provided to city staff.”
What happens next?
While Revell said communication is still continuing between the city and Upper Brushy Creek WCID, he believes that both parties can reach an agreement.
However, if the previous water level is not restored, the city may need to consider moving lake amenities closer to the new water’s edge, bringing water to amenities, repurposing some amenities or a combination of these solutions.
Revell said that the city is not at that point yet, as Upper Brushy Creek WCID offered a potential solution, which the city hopes to discuss at a future meeting. While the date for this meeting has yet to be set, the city aims to walk away with a solution and identify who would be responsible. Revell did not provide a specific timeframe for when this matter will be resolved.
Upper Brushy Creek WCID did not respond to requests for comment.
