Leander Updates Community on Lakewood Park

The City of Leander updated residents on Friday about what it is doing to reverse an error that resulted in lower water levels at Lakewood Park lake.

The city addressed the issue in a March 6 news bulletin. According to the bulletin, Lakewood Park lake levels began dropping in September. That prompted community concerns and questions.

Officials from the Upper Brushy Creek Water Control and Improvement District (WCID), which controls water levels at Lakewood Park lake, told Leander city staff that the level drop was caused by contractor error.

WCID assured city staff that the lake would return to normal levels with rain and inflow from upstream creeks. However, the district later said the lake levels would remain at the lower level.

Leander officials are challenging the decision to keep the lake at these new lower levels and requested more information from WCID about what happened. The city received approximately 4,000 documents in response and it expected to complete a review of the material within 90 days.

"City of Leander's focus remains on public safety, regulatory compliance, and transparency for all residents," the bulletin states. "We will continue to provide updates as the review progresses."

The city acquired the Lakewood parkland in 2015 with support from Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Williamson County Park Foundation. Its amenities include a pavilion with restroom facilities, splash pad, playground, dog park, fishing pier, lakeside pavilions, vehicle parking areas, trails, sake park, basketball and volleyball courts, and kayak rentals.