City of Waco Preparing for Lake Brazos Level Fluctuations

Published on July 22, 2025

The City of Waco is advising residents and visitors that water levels in Lake Brazos will fluctuate significantly over the next two weeks due to planned infrastructure maintenance and coordinated water releases by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

USACE has informed the City that they will increase water releases from Lake Waco, Aquilla, and Whitney Reservoirs through Friday, July 25, 2025, to support regional water management needs.

Immediately after, the City of Waco will begin to lower Lake Brazos by about two to three feet to perform critical water system maintenance.

In addition, flows may increase rapidly and without notice if the USACE is required to release water to support power grid stability with releases reaching up to 5,000 cubic feet per second (CFS). Standard releases from Lake Waco will also continue at 600 CFS during this period.

The public should expect fluctuating water levels in Lake Brazos beginning July 25 and continuing into the second week of August. Residents, boaters, and recreational users are urged to use extra caution near the water, avoid low-lying areas, and secure personal property along the shoreline. The affected area could include properties from the Lake Brazos dam to Buster Chatham Road.

We appreciate the public’s understanding and patience as we work with our regional partners to complete this necessary maintenance safely and efficiently.

Updates will be provided as conditions evolve on this page. For questions, please contact Kendall Borg, Assistant Director of Infrastructure Services, at (254) 299-2451.