Colorado, Texas, US

4. Austin, Below Longhorn Dam (PnP)

Spinning in the hole

Spinning in the hole
Photo by R Blake taken 6.22.05 @ 4000cfs

Gauge Information

River Description

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Warning
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This play wave is just below the Longhorn Dam and there is a possibility of getting sucked backwards into the spillway, which could be FATAL. A bubble forms just below the spillway at the end of the concrete pillar (just upstream from the wave). You are in danger when paddling too close to the pillar, when the bubble forms it can create a reverse current capable of submerging a boater and pulling them back into the spillway. It is not a good idea to approach the wave so far upstream, a better technique (but more labor intensive) is to ferry in from surfer's left closer to the wave, avoiding the concrete pillars or paddle up the the eddy in the center.

The Dam itself should not be run.

On some days, early in the morning, you can drive down to Longhorn Dam (on the East side of Town Lake) and find a vast riverbed of Limestone, 200 yards wide, with evidence of moving water, eddy currents and pitted here and there with miniature holes. There are a few large rocks thrown across the far left side, and wagon wheel tracks that date back to who knows when. In fact, just 50 yards downstream from the dam you'll see a cement erosion barrier holding back thousands of gallons of water, a hundred or so turtles and several varieties of fish. You'll probably wonder how these creatures can live in, what appears to be, an over-sized garden pond, fed by a trickle of water seeping from under one of the seven gates.
 

On other days, you might be lucky enough to witness Longhorn during a low release of say, 500 to 800 CFS. On this day, you'll see the same riverbed, covered shore to shore, with about a foot of water. When this happens, you'll be teased with a rippled wave, peeling over the erosion barrier. If you happen to bring a toy boat, you can side surf it!
 

But during the spring and summer season, when farmers further downstream are in need of daily releases to irrigate their crops, come by this same spot after 5:00 pm. During the early afternoon hours, the Lower Colorado River Authority begins releasing water from Tom Miller Dam, on the West side of Town Lake. An hour or so later, the bubble makes its way to Longhorn where it peels over its gates and crashes into the erosion barrier creating a fast, shallow, beautifully formed wave. This may be the best park and play spot in the state; maybe three states. At 4000 to 7000 CFS, Longhorn offers a 50-foot wide playground, worthy of any western water boater's wildest dream.
 

For more info, see Texas Whitewater.