Canyon Lake reached a water-surface elevation of 909 feet (mean sea level) today, making the lake “full” for the first time since November 2021, or four years, seven months and 23 days, as Comal County noted on social media.
Canyon Lake is owned and operated by the U.S, Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Its primary purpose is flood control along the Guadalupe River below Canyon Dam. At 909 feet, the lake is at full conservation pool.
At or below conservation pool, the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) controls releases below Canyon Dam.
The conservation pool is the portion of the reservoir specifically managed by GBRA to store water for municipal, industrial, agricultural, and environmental needs. It’s the water supply that helps meet the everyday needs of the communities, businesses, and ecosystems that depend on the Guadalupe River.
When the conservation pool is full, it means this dedicated water supply has been replenished.
Before last week’s heavy rains, Canyon Lake was only 60% full. All but one of the lake’s 23 boat ramps were closed due to historic drought that also dried up the Upper Guadalupe River and reduced flow rates below Canyon Dam.
Todayy residents and local businesses are celebrating.
On social media, boaters are pointing fingers at the unbelievers who sold their boats or changed lakes because “Canyon Lake is never coming back.”
Canyon Lake is usually clear. Today it’s the color of chocolate milk as cleanup efforts continue.
But the Water Oriented Recreation District of Comal County (WORD) said results from water quality testing at multiple locations on Canyon Lake confirm conditions remain well within acceptable standards for contact recreation.
As with any natural body of water, visitors should exercise caution as currents, submerged debris, bacteria, wildlife waste, and other hazards are present WORD said on Facebook.
Canyon Dam helps regulate the flow of water entering Canyon Lake from the Upper Guadalupe River, which is why upstream flooding has not affected the Lower Guadalupe River, including popular stretches such as River Road and the Horseshoe.
Nichols Landing in Spring Branch remains closed until further notice.
Reopened County Boat Ramps
- Boat Ramp #1 – Canyon Lake Village, 579 Skyline Dr.
- Boat Ramp #2 – Canyon Lake Village West, 2410 Colleen Dr.
- Boat Ramp #6 – Canyon Lake Hills 1 – East, 2078 Canyon Lake Dr.
- Boat Ramp #7 – Canyon Lake Hills 2 – West, 2050 Ledgerock Landing
Reopened WORD Boat Ramps
- Boat Ramp #3 – Comal Park, 1178 Comal Park Rd (located on the South Side of Canyon Lake)
- Boat Ramp #18 – Canyon Park, 1769 Canyon Park Rd, (located on the North Side of Canyon Lake)