Provided by: Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority
Drought Update Impacting the Guadalupe Valley Lakes
Ongoing extreme drought conditions are limiting the water available to refill Lake McQueeney and Lake Placid. The lakes are not expected to fill following the previously shared timeline due to worsening drought conditions.
Comal spring flow is currently at extremely low levels. In 2026 some of the lowest spring flows ever observed in the month of March were recorded.
Observations indicate that at least 65-cfs of inflow will be necessary for the lakes to continue to refill, and lake levels may decline when flows are below this threshold.
While refilling is underway, spring flow must be sufficient to offset losses due to evaporation, groundwater seepage, and backyard irrigation while maintaining required downstream water releases. Evaporation accounts for approximately one-quarter inch loss daily at each lake, and losses will increase as seasonal temperatures rise. Groundwater recharge into the adjacent water-table and gravel layers along the lake also impact the refill rate during lower inflows. Additionally, landscape irrigation along the three Guadalupe Valley lakes accounts for an additional loss of 10-cfs of water available to refill the lakes.
A significant, multi-day rainfall event will be needed to meaningfully accelerate recovery by generating sufficient runoff. Until then, refilling the lake will take time.
Gate Operations/Automation
The new hydraulically actuated splligtes are automated and programmed to capture, maintain, and/or spill based on sensor readings at the dam.
In the event of a significant rain event, the spillgates and gauges will automatically adjust to capture increased flows from a rain event while maintaining minimum flows downstream.
Recreational Access
Access to the water is not restricted while the lakes refill; however, recreationalists are cautioned to be aware of changing conditions and hazards. Activities on the lakes is governed by the Texas Water Safety Act and enforced by the Texas Game Wardens - https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_l2000_0014.pdf