Wirtz (LBJ Lake) and Starcke (Lake Marble Falls) Dams on Colorado River near Marble Falls, TX

Wirtz: (Satellite)

Starcke: (Satellite, 64 photos)

Both of these dams were completed in 1951.

Wirtz Dam

twdb
"The dam is a concrete and earthfill structure of 5,491 feet [1.7km] long with a maximum height of 118.29 feet [36m]."

 

lcra
"Primary purpose: Hydroelectric power, cooling reservoir for Thomas C. Ferguson Power Plant"
Generating capacity: 60mw; discharge capacity: 319,000cfs

Bill Freauff, Jun 2023

lcra

Starcke Dam

twdb
"The dam is a concrete gravity structure of 860 feet long including the spillway, powerhouse, and other facilities....Spillway is controlled by 10 roof-weir floodgates, each 60 feet wide and 15 feet high."
[I was puzzled by the gates in the various photos. I'm going to have to figure out how roof-weir floodgates work.]

lcra
"Starcke Dam is the smallest in the Highland Lakes chain, and the last one completed."
Dimensions: 98.8 feet [30,] high, 859.5 feet [262m] long; generating capacity: 41.4mw; discharge capacity: 101,000cfs

1 of several LCRA construction photos

July 24, 2024:

0:15 video posted by Lower Colorado River Authority
Floodgate operations are underway at Wirtz and Starcke Dam. Flows are faster and water levels are higher than usual downstream of the dams. Please take action to protect people and property that may be affected. More info: https://hydromet.lcra.org/floodstatus

July 4, 2025, Flood

On July 4, 2025, there was catastrophic flash flooding in Texas Hill Country. That rainstorm is working itself downstream.

Starcke Dam.

cbsaustin, (Photo/Spicewood Fire Rescue)
LCRA opens floodgates at Wirtz and Starcke dams after Hill Country floods kill at least 13.
[The count was at least 43 deaths. (I saw an updated count of 78.[YouTube])]
"LCRA officials said they may need to open all 10 floodgates at Starcke Dam throughout the evening to move floodwaters downstream. The releases will flow from Wirtz Dam through Starcke Dam and into Lake Travis, creating fast-moving water and much higher than normal levels downstream."
"The Highland Lakes flood control system is designed to pass floodwaters through 'passthrough' lakes before capturing excess water in Lake Travis, the system's main flood control reservoir."

Avery Tomasco posted

The LCRA now says that all 10 floodgates may need to open overnight at Starcke Dam to pass flood water down to Lake Travis. 

That's a LOT of water moving through LBJ and Marble Falls. Lots of debris will be flowing quickly. I'd hold off on boating for the rest of the weekend.

Zack Shields on FOX 7 posted 0:10 video
Floodgate operations ongoing at Starcke Dam near Marble Falls. More floodwater heading toward Lake Travis. Thanks to Jon Clark for sharing video.
[Several comments indicate that Lake Travis needs water. Texas has been having a serious drought.]

Fortunately, I recognized this as Starcke Dam, and a comment confirmed it. It looks like LCRA is like the TVA and, sometimes, the USACE in terms of not identifying the subject of a photo.

LCRA posted
Flood operations are underway at multiple dams. LCRA advises everyone to stay off the lakes to avoid fast flows, debris and bacteria. More info: https://bit.ly/46MHyDU
[There are quite a few comments on this post about operation of the dams.]

Jim Awalt posted 0:24 video, cropped
Flowing into Lake Travis 7/13/25 2:00 PM

There was another round of heavy rains July 14 that caused Buchanan Dam to start spilling.

LCRA posted 0:36 video
Coordinated floodgate operations across the Highland Lakes system. This drone footage, shot over the past few days, shows floodgates at Buchanan Dam, Wirtz Dam and Starcke Dam, as LCRA manages water from recent flooding in Central Texas. Lakes Buchanan and Travis are designed to fill during major weather events, and another reason why staying flood-ready is crucial in Flash Flood Alley. Our thoughts remain with those affected by this devastating flood.

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