Refilling The Lake
The Timeline to Restore Lake McQueeney
After two years of construction to replace the century-old gates, Lake McQueeney is ready to safely hold water again. But refilling a lake takes more than flipping a switch.
How Recovery Works
Because of ongoing drought conditions, Canyon Lake cannot be used to refill the lake. Current releases are dedicated to water supply. If the reservoir rises into the flood pool, additional releases could support refill. At present, the lake sits over 20 feet below the flood pool.
For now, recovery depends on natural flows, namely:
- Discharge from Comal Springs and the Comal River
- Rain that falls downstream of Canyon Lake
For more information on current Guadalupe Basin conditions, visit gbra.org/conditions.
According to the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), all of Comal, Guadalupe, and adjacent counties are experiencing extreme drought conditions that are expected to persist for at least the next three months or so (as of February 23, 2026).
What to Expect
Based on our experience with Lake Dunlap and estimated spring flows, here is the timeline we're looking at:
Lake McQueeney
Volume: 5,050 acre-feet*
Surface Area: 400 acres
Estimated Time to Refill: 10+ Weeks
*1 acre-foot = -326,000 gallons
Note: If Lake McQueeney and Lake Placid are refilled at the same time, this timeline will likely extend.
2225 E. Common Street | New Braunfels, TX 78130 | 830-379-5822 | gbra.org