Low lake levels affecting bottom line

LAKE TRAVIS, Texas (KXAN) - The prolonged drought is also having a negative impact on businesses and communities along Lake Travis who are having to readjust. Homes aren't selling like they used to, and businesses are having to get used to what's being called, a "reverse economy."

Take a flight over Lake Travis and it's easy to notice the water line has moved away from many pricey homes. While lake levels rise and drop over time, this one is testing the patience of those who make a living off the lake.

Art Adams is a waterfront specialist on Lake Travis. He says buyers are still waiting out the so called "big rains" which are taking longer than anyone thought they would.

"All the coves are dried up so a lot of our waterfront footage that we have are lots and houses -- they're dry and boathouses are on mud," Adams, a realtor with the Elite Property Group , said. "So nobody is looking to buy waterfront right now."

Realtors say it's becoming increasingly difficult to sell "lakefront property" when Lake Travis isn't there. This subsequently drives the prices down, and therefore in driving the tax base down, it is creating less revenue for the lake community in general.

"There's going to be less tax revenue for the county," said Adams, "Eventually, you know, it's going to hurt."

Tax revenue also come from businesses like Just For Fun. Manager Hawkeye Roth says there weren't as many customers as he's seen in other years, but he still managed to make a profit.

"We were expecting the water. It was the year that we were supposed to get the flood again," said Roth, "and it didn't come. So we tightened our belt just a little bit and made some adjustments."

Grant Eriksen of Eriksen Marina said his local sales haven't been as good as they were a few years ago, so he's made up for it by finding out-of-town Internet buyers.

"We've found ways to deal with it and life goes on," said Eriksen. "It's still been a good year in spite of the economy, the lake level and everything."

So while the drought continues, folks like Adams say they have no choice but to continue waiting for divine intervention, said Adams.

"We're looking forward to having a huge gigantic rain and fill the lake up," he said.