Hill Country residents are in an uproar over a proposal from a wealthy landowner to dam off the South Llano River -- the only source of water flowing into the Highland Lakes during the current severe drought.
Very glad to see your reporting on this disturbing action. And for drawing the connection between the homeowner and their political donations. Money buys influence. Let's hope it doesn't work this time. Good work, KXAN!!
Take a look at the first word in the title. Land-owner. the water that was there when you bought the land is long gone, all this water came off of someone else's land why would you have the right to stop it on yours?
It should be illegal to build private dams, period. I mean, how can someone upstream be allowed to control the flow rate of a public resource downstream?
Damn up the Llano, and you can say good bye to tourism and a lot of wild life down stream. Oh, and lets not forget the property devaluation for those that live along the Llano.
I find this to be a one sided presentation of the situation. Slowing down the flow of water allows for more saturation. More saturation (underground storage) increases riparian ecosystems. If it's done right there's a huge payoff in increased water quality and flow. If done wrong, the river dies. Obviously it should be monitored.
spoiler alert, water has always been "the new oil" worth way more and sparks much more heated debates. Living in colorado, we have " water rights lawyers" guys who just focus on this. it can be that indepth and costly.
The Llano river does not have enough flow for a dam. Are you from the Texas Hill Country ? A lot of small towns and Austin itself obtain potable water from that watershed. One property owner does not have the right to take from those downstream without bribery(political donations). Unfortunately that is what may happen. Be a shame if the dam was flawed and washed out during a flood. Lots of property damage and the owner of said dam.....would be liable.
