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Dec. 20 Lake & River Conditions for Canyon Lake

sunning lizard
We're on the ground, along with this lizard, providing real-time updates about lake and river conditions in Canyon Lake and New Braunfels, Texas.

Real-Time River Conditions

Guadalupe River @ Spring Branch

  • Streamflow: 20.9 ft³/s
  • Gage height: 1.68 ft
USGS

Guadalupe River @ Sattler

  • Streamflow: 65.8 ft³/s
  • Gage height: 4.18 ft
USGS

Guadalupe River @ New Braunfels

  • Streamflow: 83.9 ft³/s
  • Gage height: 1.62 ft
USGS

Canyon Lake’s current elevation is 881.09 feet. Normal elevation is 909 feet. The lake is 50.7% full. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is releasing water from Canyon Reservoir into the Lower Guadalupe River at a rate of 67 cfs.

For streamflow data on the Comal River click here.

Release and Flow Rates

Visit the Water-Oriented Recreation District of Comal County (WORD)’s website, wordcc.com,  to better understand how release rates work and how they affect flow rates on the lower Guadalupe.

For detailed information about Canyon Reservoir, visit this page by the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority.

Guadalupe River Threshold Flow Status

  • Up to 500 cfs   Recreational
  • 500 – 750 cfs   Challenging
  • 750 – 1000 cfs   Strenuous
  • 1000 – 3000 cfs   Extreme Caution; Tubing Not Recommended
  • 3000+ cfs   Dangerous; Guided Rafts Suggested

Comal River Threshold Flow Status:

  • 100 – 500 cfs Recreational flow- safe for all activities – tubing open for all levels of swimmers
  • 500 – 1000 cfs Use extreme caution – all activities questionable – flows of this magnitude are usually caused by rainfall and involve turbid water and floating debris – contact river outfitters for more information
  • 1000 cfs River Closed

‘Flash-Flood Alley’

        During periods of heavy rain, flow rates of both the Guadalupe and Comal rivers can change rapidly and become dangerous. Central Texas is known as “flash-flood alley.” Take rain events in Canyon Lake and New Braunfels seriously.

        Closure of the Comal River inside New Braunfels city limits will be posted on the New Braunfels Police Facebook page.

        Please review our commenting rules before submitting a post.

        10 Comments

        1. A group of teens will be at Canyon Lake today. Are the conditions of the water safe, being that it rained ?

          • Hi Victoria, we suggest that you contact Texas Parks and Wildlife Department or call the US Army Corps of Engineers’ Canyon Lake office. Also, the Water Oriented District of Comal County operates Comal and Canyon parks, they would be another good source of information.

        2. Hmmmm, I guess that the GBRA selling and draining over 90,000 acre feet (1/4 of the lake’s capacity) every year has anything to do with the low level of the lake. Nah.

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