Home Care In Buchanan Dam, TX

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic C.S.A. Salt Works Texas Historical Marker gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Buchanan Dam, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

Home Care Services

Home Care in Buchanan Dam, TX
The Always Best Care Difference
Types of In-home Care in Buchanan Dam, TX
Benefits of Home Care in Buchanan Dam, TX
Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors
Affordable Care Plans
Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers
Assisted Living Referral Services
Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

Service Areas

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

Hear from Our Clients

Elderly Care for Antoinette G.

“I work for this team and it's a wonderful team , great communication and support”

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In-home Care for Mark A.

“Ken and Bonnie are wonderful people to help care for your loved ones. their staff”

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Home Care Services for Mark A.

“I am a past client of this provider Ken and Bonnie were wonderful to work with.”

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Home Care for Melissa C.

“For those who are searching for qualified caregivers for their loved ones, contact Ken Thomas”

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Senior Care Services for Kelly B.

“Ken leads his Always Best Care Senior Services Agency with compassion for his clients and”

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Personal Senior Care for Chae S.

“Kenneth is kind, patient, experienced and knowledgeable. We are thankful to him for all his”

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In-home Care for Laurie K.

“Very professional and welcoming people so I would definitely recommend my friends and family to”

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Home Care Services for Kristen B.

“The owner is so understanding and supportive of how I want my loved ones cared”

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Personal Care Services for Chae S.

“Kenneth is knowledgeable and trustworthy. I can’t recommend him enough. You’re in good hands with”

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Non-medical Home Care for Shirley S.

“ALWAYS BEST CARE is certainly a warm & caring business owned & operated by Ken”

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Senior Caregiver for Jill &.

“I will be forever grateful for the love you showered upon us and my grandmother”

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Antoinette G.

Mark A.

Melissa C.

Kelly B.

Chae S.

Laurie K.

Kristen B.

Chae S.

Shirley S.

Jill &.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Buchanan Dam, TX?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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Types of Elderly Care in Buchanan Dam, TX

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

Eating
Mobility Issues
Incontinence

Bathing
Dressing
Grooming

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Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

Medication Reminders
Meal Preparation
Pet Care
Prescription Refills

Morning Wake-Up
Walking
Reading

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Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Llano County Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

Grocery Shopping
Transportation to Appointments
Nutritional Assistance
Conversation

Planning Outings
Completing Errands
Transportation to Community
Events and Social Outings

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Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Dam Grill or visit Buchanan Dam, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

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Benefits of Home Care in Buchanan Dam, TX

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Age in Place

According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.

Peace of Mind

If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.

Socialization

Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.

Personalized Care Plan

No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Buchanan Dam, TX, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your TX's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.

Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Buchanan Dam, TX understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

Housekeeping
Laundry
Recreational Activities
Social Outings
Emergency Medical Response
Medication Monitoring
Family Visitation
Personal Care

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

Windchime at the Village Assisted Living
Country Oaks At Hamilton Creek
Kingsland Hills Care Center
Pafford Place
Oaks Nursing Center
Sunset Community Residence

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Buchanan Dam, TX 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

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RV parks in the Highland Lakes

The hardest part RVing in the Highland Lakes is deciding where to stay and what to do — and that’s because there are so many great options. Here are some RV spots in the Highland Lakes: Badu Park, 300 Legion Drive in Llano. Go to cityofllano.com or call 325-247-4158. Beachcomber Park, 8138 RR 261 in Buchanan Dam. Go to lakebuchananrv.com or call 325-379-3083. Bent Tree RV Ranch, 10280 U.S. 281 South in Lampasas. Go to benttreerv281.com or call 512-564-9869. Black Rock Park, 3400 Texas 261 in Buchanan Dam. Go to lcra.org/parks/black-rock-park or call 512-369-4774. Blanco Settlement Country Cabins and RV Park, 1705 RR 165 in Blanco. Go to blancosettlement.com or call 830-833-5115. Blanco State Park, 101 Park Road 23 in Blanco. Go to tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/blanco or call 830-833-4333. Bluebonnet Cove Casitas and RV Park, 108 Rhodesend in Buchanan Dam. Go to bluebonnetcove.com or call 512-981-5253. Bullfrog Cove at Twin Isles RV Park, 630 CR 126 in Kingsland. Go to bullfrogcove.com or call 830-498-2080. Canyon of the Eagles Nature Park and Resort, 16942 RR 2341 in Burnet. Go to canyonoftheeagles.com or call 800-977-0081 or 512-334-2070. Cedar Lodge Waterfront Resort, 1400 RR 261 in Buchanan Dam. Go to cedarlodgetexas.com or call 512-793-2820. Cedar Stays RV Park, 3380 RR 1431 East in Marble Falls. Go to cedar-stays-rv-park.business.site or call 512-783-8191. Coldwater Creek RV Park, 11700 RR 1431 in Smithwick about 11 miles east of Marble Falls. Go to coldwatercreekrvpark.com or call 512-789-8992. Container City at Spider Mountain, 570 CR 133 in Burnet. Go to containercitytx.com. Edgewater Resort, 224 S. Winding Way in Buchanan Dam. Call 512-793-2818. Fishers of Men Ranch, 6046 RR 1431 East in Marble Falls. Go to facebook.com/fishersofmenranch or call 432-934-7810. Freedom Lives Ranch RV Resort, 9606 RR 1431 West in Buchanan Dam. Go to freedomlivesranchrvresort.com or call 512-793-2171. Granite Rock RV Park, 1015 Davis St. in Kingsland. Go to www.graniterockrvpark.com or call 325-388-8900. Heart of Texas Lake Resort, 408 Clen Oak Parkway in Burnet. Go to heartoftexaslakeresort.com or call 512-756-7766. Hidden Falls Adventure Park, 7030 RR 1431 East in Smithwick. Go to hiddenfallsadventurepark.com or call 830-798-9820. Hill Country Lakes RV Campground, 102 Pace Bend Road South in Spicewood. Go to hillcountrylakesrv.com or call 512-698-3052. Hitching Post RV Park, 1620 CR 124 in Marble Falls. Go to rvhitchingpost.com or call 830-613-1357. Hofbrau RV Park, 102 Alpine Drive off of U.S. 281 in Round Mountain, 7 miles south of Marble Falls. Go to hofbrau-rvpark.com or call 830-596-2073. Inks Lake RV Park, 6161 Texas 29 West in Burnet. Call 512-756-0101. Inks Lake State Park, 3630 Park Road 4 West near Burnet and 6 miles west of U.S. 281. Go to tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/inks-lake or call 512-793-2223. For reservations, call 512-389-8900. Kingsland Slab RV Camp, 7300 River Oaks Drive in Kingsland. (You can even pan for gold here.) Go to kingslandslabrvcamp.com or call 888-877-3212. Krause Springs, 404 Krause Springs Road in Spicewood off of Texas 71. Go to krausesprings.net or call 830-693-4181. Lake Buchanan RV and Cabin Resort, 1420 FM 690 in Burnet. Go to lakebuchananrvresort.com or call 512-793-4746. Lazy Rayzz RV Park, 8736 RR 1431 West in Buchanan Dam. Go to lazyrayzzrvpark.com or call 325-248-8955. Llanorado Lodge, 223 RR 1431 in Kingsland. Go to highlandlakes.com/llanorado or call 325-388-4823. Llano River Golf Course and RV Park, located 2 miles west of Llano on RR 152 next to Robinson City Park. Go to cityofllano.com or call 325-247-4158 ext. 202. Lone Star RV Park, 118 Starhorn Road in Marble Falls. Go to rvparkmarblefalls.com or call 830-613-7789. Marble Falls RV Park, 1740 CR 401 North in Marble Falls. Go to marblefallsrvpark.com or call 830-613-9087. Lucky Horseshoe RV Park, 347 CR 268 in Bertram. Go to luckyhorseshoerv.com or call 512-740-8274. Miller Creek RV Resort, 5618 U.S. 281, 5 miles south of Johnson City. Go to millercreekrvresort.com or call 877-868-2622. North Point Landing RV Park, 160 Northpoint Landing in Kingsland. Go to lighthousecountryclub.com/rv-park or call 325-423-1201. Open Air Resorts, 25928 Haynie Flat Road in Spicewood. Go to openairrv.com or call 512-559-4284. Oxford Ranch Campground, 11380 Texas 16 South in Llano. Check out its Facebook page or call 325-247-1639. Paleface Point RV Park, 209 Paleface Point Drive in Spicewood. Go to palefacepointrvpark.wixsite.com/paleface-point-rv- or call 713-419-6676. Patriot RV Parks-Bertram, 900 Brook Mill Road in Bertram. Go to patriotrvparks.com or call 737-289-0078. Patriot RV Parks-Bertram South, 1329 RR 1174 South in Bertram. Go to patriotrvparks.com or call 737-289-0078. Patriot RV Parks-Burnet, 3600 U.S. 281 North in Burnet. Go to patriotrvparks.com or call 512-588-2899. Peach Valley RV, 12992 U.S. 281 North in Round Mountain. Go to peachvalley-rvandstorage.com or call 830-798-4004. Pedernales Falls State Park, 2585 Park Road 6026 in Johnson City. Go to tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/pedernales-falls or call 830-868-7304. Poppy's Pointe Resort, 400 Emerald Circle in Buchanan Dam. Go to poppyspointe.com or call 512-793- 3922. Red Barn Ranch RV Park, 890 U.S. 183 in Briggs/Florence. Go to redbarnapartments.com or call 512-635-4253. Rio Vista Resort, 234 Rio Vista Drive in Kingsland. Go to riovistaresorttx.com or call 325-388-6331 or 800-846-1864. Riverside Oaks RV Park, 6142 CR 258 in Bertram. Go to texasrvranch.com or call 512-800-0628. River View RV Park, 200 Old River Road in Marble Falls. Go to touringtexas.com/riverview or call 830-693-3910. Riverway RV Park, 1907 RR 152 West in Llano. Go to facebook.com/riverwayrvpark or call 325-247-2152. Roadrunner RV Park, 501 U.S. 281 South in Johnson City. Go to roadrunnerrvparktexas.com or call 830-868-7449. Shady Oaks RV Park, 350 Inks Dam Road in Buchanan Dam. Go to shadyoaks-rvpark.com or call 512-793-2718. Shilo RV Village, 110 CR 304 in Bertram. Go to shilorv.com or call 512-715-0722. Sun and Moon RV Parks, 5040 RR 1431 in Marble Falls. Go to sunandmoonrvparks.com or call 512-789-6873. Sunset Point on Lake LBJ, 2322 N. Wirtz Dam Road on Lake LBJ. Go to sunsetpointlbj.com or call 830-798-8199. Texas Hill RV Haven, 111 Willow Shores Drive in Tow. Go to texashillsrvhaven.com or call 325-379-1119. Two Rooster Ranch RV Park, 1351 FM 1980 in Marble Falls. Go to tworoosterranchrv.net or call 830-220-9121. Valentine Lakeside, 814 Euel Moore Drive in Kingsland. Go to valentinelakeside.com or call 325-388-4418. YMCA of the Highland Lakes at Galloway-Hammond, 1601 S. Water St. (U.S. 281) in Burnet. Go to ymcagwc.org or call 512-756-6180. Z-Ranch RV, 131 Zurita Trail in Marble Falls. Go to zranchrv.com or text 512-994-0273.

Lake Buchanan infested with zebra mussels, joining dozens of other Texas waterways, officials say

Lake Buchanan is among the latest Texas waterways to be infested with zebra mussels, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.The department designated the lake, which is west of Burnet and north of Inks Lake, as being infested after an October sampling showed evidence that the invasive mollusks were reproducing there.Zebra mussel larvae were found in plankton samples that Lower Colorado River Authority scientists took from three sites around the lake, officials said. Last month, more samples were tak...

Lake Buchanan is among the latest Texas waterways to be infested with zebra mussels, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The department designated the lake, which is west of Burnet and north of Inks Lake, as being infested after an October sampling showed evidence that the invasive mollusks were reproducing there.

Zebra mussel larvae were found in plankton samples that Lower Colorado River Authority scientists took from three sites around the lake, officials said. Last month, more samples were taken from two of three sites, and zebra mussels were found again.

More:Austin Water flexes capability to fight zebra mussel infestation

More:‘I feel like a ghostbuster’: How Austin tests for harmful lake algae

Zebra mussels were also found earlier in December near a floodgate project at Buchanan Dam.

“At this time, the results indicate that the population in the lake appears to be small,” said Monica McGarrity, a Texas Parks and Wildlife senior scientist for aquatic invasive species management. “However, as we have seen in other Texas lakes, the population is likely to increase rapidly over the next few years.”

Lake Buchanan is one of 31 lakes in the state to be infested with zebra mussels. In Central Texas, Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake, Lake Georgetown, Lake LBJ and Lake Marble Falls are all infested with zebra mussels, according to a parks department map.

Created by Buchanan Dam in 1938, Lake Buchanan was the first completed in the Highland Lakes chain, according to the LCRA. While no zebra mussels have been found in Inks Lake, officials say it's likely to become infested as it is downstream from Lake Buchanan. Zebra mussel environmental DNA was found in samples taken from Inks Lake in the fall, and officials say that could be an indicator of introduction of the mollusks.

Zebra mussels are about the size of a fingernail and will attach themselves to pipes, boats and other hard surfaces.

The tiny crustaceans were to blame for the foul-smelling water that poured from faucets across Austin in February 2019. A mass die-off of zebra mussels in a raw water intake pipe at the Ullrich Water Treatment Plant, the utility’s largest water treatment plant, tainted the city’s drinking water and triggered a citywide boil-water notice for days.

Since then, the Austin Water utility has spent millions on systems and chemicals to fight the scourge.

Boaters should be sure to clean, drain and dry boats and gear before going from lake to lake, officials said. Plants, mud and debris should be removed as well.

Help stop the spread

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department advises boaters to clean, drain and dry boats, trailers, livewells, bait buckets and other gear before traveling to another body of water. Draining water is required by law, and possession and transport of zebra mussels is illegal.

LCRA completes $51 million project to upgrade Buchanan Dam floodgates

The Lower Colorado River Authority has completed a more than 12-year project to upgrade the floodgates at Buchanan Dam to maintain continued reliable and safe operations at the dam.Buchanan Dam, the uppermost dam in the Highland Lakes, is 145.5 feet high and almost 2 miles long. It is one of the longest multiple arch dams in the world. It impounds water for a powerhouse with a capacity of 54.9 MW.The $51.1 million project took more than a decade because the rehabilitation work was extensive and was performed on only a few of th...

The Lower Colorado River Authority has completed a more than 12-year project to upgrade the floodgates at Buchanan Dam to maintain continued reliable and safe operations at the dam.

Buchanan Dam, the uppermost dam in the Highland Lakes, is 145.5 feet high and almost 2 miles long. It is one of the longest multiple arch dams in the world. It impounds water for a powerhouse with a capacity of 54.9 MW.

The $51.1 million project took more than a decade because the rehabilitation work was extensive and was performed on only a few of the dam’s 37 floodgates at a time to ensure the ability to respond to flooding at all times.

The project at Buchanan Dam strengthened all 37 floodgates and provided a 1-foot vertical extension on each floodgate to reduce the potential for overtopping and allow more time to open the floodgates during a flood; removed and inspected all gate trunnions, replacing them as needed; upgraded the dam’s electrical system; provided stop logs to hold back water to allow work on the floodgates to take place in a dry environment; upgraded security and safety features; and recoated all the hoist bridges.

“This is a remarkable dam and a remarkable project,” said Timothy Timmerman, chair of the LCRA Board of Directors. “The dam was completed in 1938 using technology and engineering standards of the day. Without changing the dam’s structure, we were able to upgrade the floodgates to meet today’s engineering standards, as well as make them able to respond to flooding more quickly.”

In addition, crews added 30 stationary remote-operated hoists to enable LCRA to open the floodgates more quickly. The project also added two traveling remote-operated hoists for the remaining seven floodgates. In the past, crews had to manually move the hoists between floodgates. The steel bridge structures over the 37 floodgates that support the hoists also were re-coated to provide long-term protection to the steel.

“LCRA operates dams in the heart of Flash Flood Alley, and we take that responsibility very seriously,” said Phil Wilson, LCRA general manager. “We have to stay vigilant and ready to protect the water supply and respond to flooding at any time, and a significant part of that effort involves keeping our dams in excellent condition. We are fully committed to keeping our dams safe and reliable to continue serving the people of Texas.”

With the Buchanan Dam project now completed, LCRA plans to begin conversations with the Federal Emergency Management Agency about potentially allowing Lake Buchanan to rise to a level of 1,020 feet above mean sea level (feet msl) year-round. Under the current agreement with FEMA, the lake must be maintained at or below 1,018 feet msl from May through October and 1,020 feet msl the rest of the year because of concerns it would have been difficult to open the floodgates quickly if the need arose.

LCRA expects any changes to the dam’s maximum operating level to take time, and the lake would not be kept at 1,020 feet msl year-round. Instead, a change in the maximum operating level would mean the lake could rise to that level when circumstances allowed. As a water supply reservoir, water from Lake Buchanan would continue to be used to meet water supply needs.

The recent work at Buchanan Dam is part of LCRA’s commitment to keep its dam infrastructure operating safely and reliably. From fiscal years 2010 to 2020, LCRA invested more than $111 million in capital projects along the Highland Lakes, Lake Bastrop and Lake Fayette. LCRA plans to invest an additional $83 million in these types of projects through fiscal year 2026.

In October 2020, LCRA completed a $10.8 million project to replace each of the floodgates at Tom Miller Dam in Austin, which impounds water for a 17-MW powerhouse, and has begun a similar renovation project at Wirtz Dam. Gate rehabilitation projects also are underway at Mansfield and Starcke dams.

LCRA serves customers and communities throughout Texas. The company produces electricity from coal, natural gas and hydro facilities. It operates six dams with hydroele ctric facilities, with a total capacity at these six plants of more than 295 MW.

Flood response could improve after $51 million in upgrades to Buchanan Dam

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lake Buchanan is a major water source for Central Texas and it’s home to the Buchanan Dam.The Lower Colorado River Authority just wrapped up a $51 million upgrade to the gates of the dam that hold the water in place, or release water in the event of flooding rains.“If you’re going to be in ‘Flash Flood Alley’ and you’re ...

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lake Buchanan is a major water source for Central Texas and it’s home to the Buchanan Dam.

The Lower Colorado River Authority just wrapped up a $51 million upgrade to the gates of the dam that hold the water in place, or release water in the event of flooding rains.

“If you’re going to be in ‘Flash Flood Alley’ and you’re going to have dam structures like we have, you need to make this kind of investment to make sure they can do their jobs when we need them to,” said John Hofmann, vice president of water for LCRA. He described the upgrades as a “total rehabilitation of the gates.”

One of the main improvements was the addition of dedicated hoists to quickly raise a flood gate to allow water through in the event of excessive rainfall.

Upgrading the Buchanan Dam took more than 12 years to complete because only a few of the dams 37 flood gates could be worked on at any one time.

The upgrades allow LCRA to petition FEMA to raise the peak water level allowed during hurricane season by two feet. This will allow extra water storage during our typically rainy months, holding onto precious water while delaying the release of floodwaters downstream, although it’s rare that Lake Buchanan would ever be so high.

“It does have an empty space in the upper part of that reservoir that allows it to capture flood flows when they initially come in and that buys very valuable time, especially when you start to see the type of flooding that we’ve seen over the last several years in Central Texas,” added Hofmann.

Maintaining and upgrading the dams across the Highland Lakes is a perpetual process.

So which dams are next in line for repairs?

“All of them!” Hofmann said Right now we’ve just completed Tom Miller Dam. We’re in the process of starting an operation at Wirtz Dam. Buchanan Dam’s concrete work will continue over the next several years, we just finished the gate work. Starke Dam is also in the process of doing a project and then Mansfield Dam is in the middle of a rehabilitation project as well.”

Because of the cycle of drought to deluge here in Central Texas, these flood gates could go years at a time without being used operationally, but other times could be used several times within a year.

LCRA completes $51 million project to upgrade Buchanan Dam

The project included strengthening each floodgate, as well as adding 30 stationary remote-operated hoists, which will enable the LCRA to open the floodgates quicker.More VideosTEXAS, USA — The Lower Colorado River Authority, or LCRA, announced Thursday it had completed a more than 12-year, $51.1 million project to upgrade the floodgates at Buchanan Dam.The LCRA said it took more than a decade because "the rehabilitation work was extensive an...

The project included strengthening each floodgate, as well as adding 30 stationary remote-operated hoists, which will enable the LCRA to open the floodgates quicker.

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