GBRA Issues Canyon Lake Flood Release Advisory

Canyon Reservoir has reached its maximum conservation pool and is currently at 910.95 mean sea level (msl), triggering the necessity of increased water releases at the direction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Guadalupe Blanco River Authority (GBRA) announced on Facebook at 9:44 a.m. Wednesday morning.

At 1 p.m. today, releases increased to approximately 700 cubic feet per second (cfs) where  they are expected to remain until Friday, Oct. 19, at which time an assessment will be made to determine the need for increased flood releases.

To see video, click here.

“Lake levels at Canyon Lake have risen to above 909 feet and water is now being held in the flood pool, said Clayton Church,  public affairs specialists with USACE’s Fort Worth District. “The flood pool for Canyon Lake is that area between elevation 909 (top of conservation pool) to elevation 943 (top of flood pool) that is designated for holding water until conditions downstream allow for controlled releases. Water in the flood pool is held to prevent downstream flooding and then is discharged when safely possible to allow the entire flood pool to remain available for the next rain event.”

Based on preliminary inflow estimates, the USACE anticipates the lake to rise an additional five feet in the coming days. Releases and lake elevation are based on current inflows and rainfall. Changing weather conditions may impact future releases.

“Canyon Lake  is doing its job,” said Patty Gonzales, communications manager for GBRA. “And it’s providing protection to downstream interests, and thankfully flooding minor upstream. Of course we encourage everyone to stay aware of the changing conditions. GBRA’s website has streamflow data, and it is updated in real time.”

GBRA is not charged with flood control and only provides streamflow data, she said.

Property owners, recreationalists and other stakeholders should take notice of the changing downstream river flows. Canyon releases and stream flow data may be found by clicking here. To check for road closures, click here.

To view the river forecast for Guadalupe River near Spring Branch, click here.

GBRA provides stewardship for the water resources in its ten-county statutory district, which begins near the headwaters of the Guadalupe and Blanco Rivers, ends at San Antonio Bay, and includes Kendall, Comal, Hays, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Gonzales, DeWitt, Victoria, Calhoun and Refugio counties.

Planning and resource development efforts are carefully coordinated within the broader consideration of regional and statewide water needs in order to fulfill GBRA’s primary responsibilities of developing, conserving and protecting the water resources of the Guadalupe River Basin.