AUSTIN, Texas — The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) opened multiple floodgates at Wirtz and Starcke dams on Friday in an effort to release storm runoff flowing into Lake LBJ from the Llano River.

The move comes following rounds of rain that hit the Hill Country overnight Thursday and into Friday, causing the levels of many tributaries in the upper basin to rise.

LCRA said the runoff is flowing from Lake LBJ into Lake Marble Falls, and that flows downstream will be fast and higher than usual downstream of dams.

Just before 10:45 p.m. Friday, LCRA said it had opened five floodgates at Wirtz Dam and all 10 floodgates at Starcke Dam to move floodwaters downstream. The releases will flow from Wirtz Dam, which flows into Lake LBJ, through Starcke Dam, which creates Lake Marble Falls, and into Lake Travis.

LCRA said it anticipates holding the floodwater in Lake Travis, which is currently around 43 feet below full, and it doesn’t expect to open the floodgates at Mansfield Dam, which forms Lake Travis.

People are urged to take action to protect themselves and others, as well as property that may be affected. People are also advised to take extreme caution if they are anywhere near the lakes.

For the latest real-time data on rainfall, click here.