Published October 15, 20263 min readLakes

Lake Travis Facts for Rental Guests

Quick answer

Lake Travis is formed by Mansfield Dam on the Colorado River, and it is the only one of the six Highland Lakes designed to hold back floodwaters, according to the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). Its level can change a lot, which matters if you are booking a lakefront home. On BnB Search, the Lake Travis vacation rentals hub lists 238 places, 211 of them individual stays. Sources are linked at the end.

The lake in numbers (LCRA)

Dam: Mansfield Dam, built by LCRA and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation from 1937 to 1942 (LCRA; the USACE water control manual also lists completion in May 1942).
Full for water supply: 681 feet above mean sea level, holding about 1.1 million acre-feet (LCRA).
Surface area when full: 19,044 acres (LCRA).
Flood pool: an extra 776,062 acre-feet of floodwater above 681 feet; water would go over the spillway above 714 feet (LCRA).
Records: highest 710.44 feet on Dec. 25, 1991; lowest 614.18 feet on Aug. 14, 1951 (LCRA).
Counties: Mansfield Dam is in Travis and Burnet counties (LCRA).

Why this matters for renters: LCRA records show a gap of about 96 feet between the record high and record low. A dock or "lakefront" view can look very different at low water, so ask the host about current water at the property, and check LCRA's current lake levels before your trip.

What our Lake Travis listings show

These counts come from BnB Search's own directory data and change when listings are added or removed.

238 listings in total: 211 individual stays, 5 resorts, inns or lodging businesses, 10 rental companies, property managers or real estate offices and 12 other local listings that are not rentals.
Area tags: Lake Travis 190, Lago Vista 11, Point Venture 7, Spicewood 3. Our area tags are broad, so open the map pin to see exactly where a listing is.
Words in the stay titles: of the 211 stays, 36 mention lakefront, waterfront or lake access; 12 mention a dock; 13 mention a lake view; 23 mention a hot tub or spa; 39 mention a pool; 14 mention pets or dogs; 10 mention cabin; 5 mention condo. Hosts write these titles themselves, so confirm each feature before you book.

Browse them on the Lake Travis hub (map and filters) or in the full Lake Travis listings directory.

Before you book a Lake Travis rental

Water level: ask the host whether the dock or swim area is usable at the current lake level.
Boats: ask the host which ramp or marina is usable at the current lake level.
Pool: ask whether the pool is private or a community pool.
Pets: confirm the pet policy and fees with the host.

FAQ

When is Lake Travis considered full?

At 681 feet above mean sea level for water supply, according to LCRA.

What were Lake Travis's record high and low levels?

LCRA lists 710.44 feet on Dec. 25, 1991 and 614.18 feet on Aug. 14, 1951.

Who manages Lake Travis?

LCRA operates Mansfield Dam and Lake Travis; during floods it follows U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rules.

How many Lake Travis rentals does BnB Search list?

238 listings, including 211 individual stays. The rest are lodging businesses, rental companies or other local listings.

Does BnB Search book the stay?

No. Compare on the hub, then book on the site linked from the listing.

Sources

Lake Travis Weather by Month · Lake Travis first-time checklist · Lake Travis areas · Where to eat near Lake Travis rentals