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Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

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“Ken and Bonnie are wonderful people to help care for your loved ones. their staff was so caring to my mother and so nice to my family I highly recommend them to take care of your loved ones. I think there ought to be more than just five stars to give them”

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“Ken and Bonnie were wonderful to work with. They were able to provide my mother with care and a very short notice. Their staff was some of the most caring people that I've ever met. Not only were they wonderful to my mother but also to my family. I would highly recommend using them.”

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“Very professional and welcoming people so I would definitely recommend my friends and family to Always Best Care in Boerne.”

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“The owner is so understanding and supportive of how I want my loved ones cared for. He and his staff actually listen to what I would like done for my parents. Very thoughtful, very professional and very caring. It’s such a relief to have help in caring for my loved ones”

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“ALWAYS BEST CARE is certainly a warm & caring business owned & operated by Ken Thomas. I certainly would recommend them for you or your loved ones excellent care.”

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

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“For those who are searching for qualified caregivers for their loved ones, contact Ken Thomas at Always Best Care Senior Services. Mr. Thomas provides an authentic and professional guiding hand when discussing available services for your precious senior family members. When it is time for a beloved senior to receive assistance, Mr. Thomas understands the importance of providing trustworthy and quality support.”

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“Ken leads his Always Best Care Senior Services Agency with compassion for his clients and their families. He is a local senior care expert and leader in his community. If you are need of assistance in navigating your local senior care options, then do not hesitate to give Ken a call!”

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

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

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 In-Home Care Buchanan Dam, TX

How does In-home Senior Care in Buchanan Dam, TX work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's 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 ages, 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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 Senior Care Buchanan Dam, TX

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.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, 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:

Comfort
Comfort

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, 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.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

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.

Independence
Independence

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 an assisted living community. 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.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

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 to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be 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 in Buchanan Dam, TX 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.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

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:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

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

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

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.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

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.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

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.


Respite Care Buchanan Dam, TX

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

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.

 Caregivers Buchanan Dam, TX

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 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:

An assessment of your senior loved one

01

An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

02

Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

03

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.

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.

Latest News in Buchanan Dam, TX

Buchanan at 8-year low and dropping

Lake Buchanan is low and getting lower. The lake is at 56 percent capacity as of July 27, according to the Lower Colorado River Authority, the lowest it has been in eight years. Lake access has been dramatically reduced, and ongoing drought conditions will likely drop the level even more.Buchanan has fallen 16.39 feet since March 2022. Shorelines are pushed in-lake by hundreds of yards in some locations. Many public and private docks and boat ramps ar...

Lake Buchanan is low and getting lower. The lake is at 56 percent capacity as of July 27, according to the Lower Colorado River Authority, the lowest it has been in eight years. Lake access has been dramatically reduced, and ongoing drought conditions will likely drop the level even more.

Buchanan has fallen 16.39 feet since March 2022. Shorelines are pushed in-lake by hundreds of yards in some locations. Many public and private docks and boat ramps are unusable.

“We had to close the boat ramp at the Llano County Park last week due to extremely low lake levels,” Llano County Precinct 2 Commissioner Linda Raschke said during a Commissioners Court meeting July 24. “It’s awful out there right now.”

Raschke represents the unincorporated communities on the west side of Lake Buchanan, including Buchanan Dam, Buchanan Dam Village, and Tow. Edgewater, an RV resort off of CR 261, is likely the only open access point on the lake’s west side, she said.

“Tourism is affected, and that’s a big thing, especially for Buchanan Dam (communities) not being incorporated,” she continued. “The lodges aren’t full, and that’s a problem.”

Burnet County Park on the northeast side of the lake is reportedly the only public access boat ramp in operation at the time of this story’s publication, but it might not be open for long if the water continues to drop, Raschke said.

Lake Buchanan has seen little reprieve over the past 18 months. The lake rose by 0.31 feet between April and June due to above-average rainfall, but the gain were promptly drained by the searing summer heat.

The Highland Lakes region has suffered from triple-digit temperatures since at least July 10, and recent predictions from the National Weather Service hint at continued scorching days through at least early August.

The LCRA is taking the radical lake level drop seriously.

“It’s in our entire region’s interest to slow down water consumption because everything we do now will help prolong and protect our water supply,” LCRA Vice President of Water John Hofmann said in a media release. “Our water supply is stressed but still in OK shape. We are getting close to the next trigger in our drought contingency plan, and customers soon will be implementing additional drought response measures. But no one should wait for restrictions to be put in place to stop wasting water.’’

The LCRA is asking customers to observe Stage 2 drought restrictions, predicting that the combined storage capacity of lakes Buchanan and Travis could drop to 45 percent by mid-August, which would officially trigger Stage 2. The combined storage is currently at 48 percent for the two reservoirs.

Buchanan and Travis supply 1.4 million Central Texas residents with water. Buchanan mainly relies on inflows from the Colorado River to replenish itself along with countless small creeks. According to the LCRA Hydromet, the Colorado River is currently flowing at zero cubic-feet per second. For perspective, 1,500 acre-feet of water was released from Lake Buchanan to supply customers downstream on July 26. That equals 43,559.9 cubic-feet of water.

Lake Buchanan’s level is measured using “feet above mean sea level.” At full capacity, the lake sits at 1,020 feet msl. As of July 27, the lake is at 998.62 feet msl, the result of a rapid drop of 3 feet in the last 30 days.

The lake’s historical July average is 1,012.64 feet msl. The lowest level on record was on Sept. 9, 1952, when the lake sat at 983.7 feet msl. That was during the worst drought on record in the state of Texas, which lasted 11 years through the 1950s.

The light at the end of the tunnel is El Niño. The climate pattern emerged on June 8, heralding a potential end to the drought in Central Texas. An El Niño weather pattern typically means heavy rains and maybe even flooding for the Southern United States in the coming fall, winter, and spring. The last El Niño was in 2018-19, likely causing the October 2018 flood that replenished the Highland Lakes but left mass destruction in its wake.

“I think everything is just cyclical,” Raschke told DailyTrib.com. “We had the flood in 2018 after the drought of ’11, ’12, and ’13. We’re expecting an El Niño that is supposed to come this fall, but the danger is that it’s another serious flood. The problem is that floods don’t always end the drought.”

LCRA completes $51M project to upgrade Buchanan Dam

BURNET AND LLANO COUNTIES, Texas — The Lower Colorado River Authority announced Thursday it 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.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 keep the dam capable of responding to flooding at all times, LCRA said.“This is a remarkable dam and a remark...

BURNET AND LLANO COUNTIES, Texas — The Lower Colorado River Authority announced Thursday it 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.

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 keep the dam capable of responding to flooding at all times, LCRA said.

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

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“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.

As a water supply reservoir, water from Lake Buchanan would continue to be used to meet water supply needs.

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 and has begun a similar renovation project at Wirtz Dam. Gate rehabilitation projects are also underway at Mansfield and Starcke dams.

Buchanan Dam, the uppermost dam in the Highland Lakes, is 145.5 feet high and is almost two miles long. It is one of the longest multiple arch dams in the world.

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...

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.

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Major upgrade project completed at Buchanan Dam

The refurbishment project at Buchanan Dam, which forms Lake Buchanan at the upper end of the Highland Lakes chain, 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 keep the dam capable of responding to flooding at all times.“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...

The refurbishment project at Buchanan Dam, which forms Lake Buchanan at the upper end of the Highland Lakes chain, 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 keep the dam capable of responding to flooding at all times.

“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 to strengthening each floodgate, crews added 30 stationary remote-operated hoists to enable LCRA to open the floodgates more quickly. The project also added two new traveling remote-operated hoists for the remaining seven floodgates. In the past, crews had to manually move the hoists from floodgate to floodgate. 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 1,020ft msl year-round. Under the current agreement with FEMA, the lake must be maintained at or below 1,018ft msl from May through October, and 1,020ft 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 once enacted, would not mean the lake would 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 continuing 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 and has begun a similar renovation project at Wirtz Dam. Gate rehabilitation projects also are underway at Mansfield and Starcke dams.

The project at Buchanan Dam strengthened all 37 floodgates and provided a 1ft 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.

Buchanan Dam, the uppermost dam in the Highland Lakes, is 145.5ft high and is almost two miles long. It is one of the longest multiple arch dams in the world.

Barbecue benefit for 20-year-old critically injured in accident

A barbecue and live music event on Sept. 17 at Pardners Nightclub in Buchanan Dam will raise money for the Travis family, whose 20-year-old son, Dylan, suffered life-threatening injuries in a one-vehicle accident in May on Park Road 4.“He sustained massive, severe head trauma,” said benefit organizer J.R. Wills. “He’s been in the hospital this whole time.”The fundraiser, which is from 2-8 p.m. at the venue, 15615 Texas 29, features three live bands, a barbecue dinner, raffles, and silent and live a...

A barbecue and live music event on Sept. 17 at Pardners Nightclub in Buchanan Dam will raise money for the Travis family, whose 20-year-old son, Dylan, suffered life-threatening injuries in a one-vehicle accident in May on Park Road 4.

“He sustained massive, severe head trauma,” said benefit organizer J.R. Wills. “He’s been in the hospital this whole time.”

The fundraiser, which is from 2-8 p.m. at the venue, 15615 Texas 29, features three live bands, a barbecue dinner, raffles, and silent and live auctions with a chance to win a guitar signed by country music legend George Strait.

“A friend of mine knows George’s bus driver, and he was kind enough to get a guitar to him,” Wills said. “I think he signed it on July 24, right before they went to Nashville for a show.”

All proceeds from the Sept. 17 benefit will go toward medical expenses, travel, and lodging to ensure the Buchanan Dam family is able to accompany Dylan as he moves forward with his rehabilitation.

“We want to help the Travis family out,” Wills said. “They’re great people. I know they have a long road ahead of them with Dylan and his recovery. We’re just asking for the community to reach out and give them a hand.”

Musical performances start at 2 p.m. with Charlie Sardo and Courtney Reed, followed by The Jody Proctor Band at 4 p.m. and Southern Underground at 6 p.m.

Live auctions will take place in between. Items include autographed guitars from Texas country music artists, quilts, guns, custom knives, and guided fishing trips. Attendees can also enter raffles for each of the silent auction items. Ticket costs vary.

“We’ve got lots of things coming in,” Wills said.

Pre-packaged briskets also will be auctioned off.

“My neighbors in the area in Lake Buchanan are going to fully cook 13 to 15 briskets,” Wills said. “What we’re going to do is vacuum-seal those briskets and live auction each one. They’ll be fully smoked and cooked.”

Guests can enjoy a pulled pork sandwich, chips, and a soft drink for $10.

“I think that’s pretty cheap,” Wills said. “You can’t go to any local barbecue stand and get a sandwich and chips and a drink for less than $10, I don’t think.”

Wills asks that all pledged items for the auction be turned in by Friday, Sept. 1. Prospective donors may call him at 512-755-9737.

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