The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) says it does not anticipate any flood-control releases from Canyon Lake at this time, meaning flow rates along the lower Guadalupe River below Sattler/Canyon Lake will remain constant.
The flow rate there remains at 72.6 cubic feet per second (cfs), a level that has been sustained for approximately a week.
GBRA issued this statement at noon Friday, July 4:
“The Upper Guadalupe River is experiencing a dangerous flood event, with floodwaters actively moving downstream through Kerrville and Comfort and expected to continue toward Canyon Lake.
“Significant rises in river levels and flows are expected over the next 24 hours and beyond. Stay out of the water and follow all guidance from your local Emergency Management Coordinator.
“As a flood control reservoir, Canyon Lake currently has capacity to capture and store incoming flows. Flood releases are managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and only occur if lake elevation exceeds 909′. No flood control releases are anticipated at this time.”
Hi Stephanie,
Could I please request you ask GBRA and the Army Corp of Engineers a few more questions regarding the reasons behind mandatory releases of water from
Canyon Lake to support downstream contracts. Could you please provide the public answers to these questions (and feel free to add additional questions as appropriate):
1. Please provide details on the downstream contracts. Who are the parties in the contracts? When were the contracts signed? How long are the contracts valid for? Why were the contracts signed originally and why is water that is supposed to support the local community of Canyon Lake being transferred to other communities?
2. If the mission of Canyon Lake dam (according to the Army Corps of Engineers) is to provide 1) Guadalupe River flood control and 2) a water source for local Canyon Lake residents, then why has there been contracts established with stakeholders residing outside of Canyon Lake?
3. Why isn’t the State of Texas providing long term solutions to preserve water downstream? Why can’t the contracted parties develop a solution to preserve water downstream and not rely on water releases from Canyon Lake?
I would appreciate it if you could allow these questions to be posted on this site (and not rejected) and answered via accurate journalist reporting. There needs to be full transparency and accountability in terms of preserving fresh water in the State of Texas.