Comal County officials reacted swiftly Friday after a member of a volunteer dive team told a TV news reporter the bodies of those still missing after July 4 flash flooding will start showing up in the Guadalupe River west of Canyon Lake.
Rumors were already swirling that divers required “special precautions or inoculations before entering the water” when Steven Bishop with Blue Dive Search and Recovery told a KENS5 news crew Thursday, “There is going to be a lot of stuff moved downstream. That’s where, unfortunately, the deceased will start coming up.”
In a statement on Facebook, Comal County said the “volunteer group” operating in the area had no official involvement or affiliation with the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s (TDEM) command center in Kerrville. There are no authorized search-and-rescue operations underway on Canyon Lake.
Task Force 1, the only authorized search-and-rescue team, is actively working on the Upper Guadalupe River from Canyon Lake to the Comal/Kendall County line.
Comal County spokesperson Cary Zayas warned residents not every “search-and-rescue” team is who they claim to be, and that scam donation pages are circulating.
“We’re really proud of this community’s compassion, but let’s make sure it’s paired with caution,” she said.
WORD of Comal County, which issues permits, collects fees, and manages two of Canyon Lake’s largest lakeside parks and boat ramps, said the water in Canyon Lake was thoroughly tested at two locations and found to be safe.
“We have not received any official notifications from regulatory or health agencies about confirmed contamination or related health risks in Canyon Lake,” WORD said. “Water testing falls under the jurisdiction of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). As of today, no alerts or advisories have been issued to us from TCEQ or any other state agency.”
WORD said the water in Canyon Lake was tested for E. coli, the most common bacterial contaminant after a flood. Samples were drawn from one deepwater point and one shallow-water point.
The tests came back at four parts per 100 milliliters and three parts per 100 milliliters, respectively, well below the thresholds.
“Canyon Lake is a natural, live body of water, and like all natural waters, it can contain bacteria, wildlife waste, and other environmental elements,” WORD said. “Always swim at your own risk and follow water-safety guidelines.”
Before Saturday’s announcement by Kerr County officials that only three victims are still unaccounted for, many Canyon Lake residents took to social media to complain that officials weren’t concerned enough about water quality, debris, and possible bodies in the lake.
So let me get this straight -we’re bashing a local SAR nonprofit that’s out there every day, putting in their own time, gear, and energy to recover missing flood victims? Victims that State Rep. Josey Garcia personally requested them to help locate? That’s what we’re doing now?
And don’t even try to drag politics into this. The only focus here should be on the victims and their families. Period.
By the way, some fire departments have set up decontamination centers for divers. Ever wonder why? Maybe try doing some actual research. Divers have been instructed to stay fully covered when entering the Guadalupe River, which feeds directly into Canyon Lake. That’s not paranoia , it’s precaution.
These donations? Not “scams.” When boats are damaged by submerged debris, repairs get expensive fast. Most of these volunteers are using their own equipment. So before you attack tax-paying residents and local nonprofits who are showing up when others don’t, maybe ask how you can help – or better yet, partner up – instead of spreading misinformation.
Because this isn’t about politics. It’s about people.
People need to stop posting comments regarding victims in Canyon Lake. Given the tragic events, it’s unbelievable how thoughtless people can be. We need to remember it hasn’t even been a month and there are still people that need to be found and those victim’s families have been waiting all this time. Probably the worst moments of their lives.
We also need to remember that spreading false rumors can cost our neighbor’s their businesses. They’ve been struggling with the drought for years but were still hanging in there.
So please, verify what you’re posting is true. And then, take it one more step. Will it hurt people? Do others really need to know?
I am concerned about the beautiful K-9 that got sick and has died.
I understand it was from mud and water. Was it?
Agreed 👍
Find out about Canyon Lake safety before you go in. Note: this is my first comment about Canyon Lake. You are your own person let that be your guide.