GBRA Provides Update On Lake Dunlap, McQueeney, Placid

Lake Dunlap WCID was created in February 2020 and is moving toward the confirmation of a Water Control and Improvements District (WCID) which will appear on the ballot for voter approval...

Heading into the summer months, steady progress is being made on addressing the necessary replacement of several of the hydroelectric dams that form the Guadalupe Valley Lakes. A coalition of stakeholders – including lake associations, lakeside residents and property owners, the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA), as well as various city and county officials – have been working collaboratively to determine the best path forward for each individual lake.

Current lake updates are outlined below.

Lake Dunlap

Lake Dunlap WCID was created in February 2020 and is moving toward the confirmation of a Water Control and Improvements District (WCID) which will appear on the ballot for voter approval in November 2020

Lake Dunlap WCID has named a temporary board of directors, including, Doug Harrison, J Harmon, Dr. Larry Johnson, Harry Moeller, and Gary Schaub.

Lake Dunlap WCID and GBRA have finalized a financing and operation agreement for the proposed dam replacement and submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for final review and approval, furthering a memorandum of understanding between GBRA and the Preserve Lake Dunlap Association (PLDA) signed in October 2019.

Per the agreement, GBRA will utilize its expertise to continue to own, operate, and maintain the dam once replaced.

GBRA submitted an application with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) seeking a no-interest loan from the Flood Infrastructure Fund.

Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative (GVEC) and GBRA are developing a new contractual agreement for the purchase of hydroelectric power generated by the Lake Dunlap dam.

  • GVEC is the sole customer of the hydroelectric power generated by the dam and its current contract is scheduled to expire in 2025
  • With a new contract negotiated, GBRA will contribute all gross revenues generated by the hydroelectric system at Lake Dunlap to the Lake Dunlap WCID to assist with funding the continued dam maintenance and operations costs including debt service.
  • With the approval of TWDB financing and voter approval of the WCID in November, dam construction is anticipated to begin in early 2021.

Lake McQueeney

Lake McQueeney WCID was created effective April 2020 and is moving toward the creation of a Water Control and Improvements District (WCID) which will appear on the ballot for voter confirmation in November 2020.

GBRA submitted an application with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) seeking a no-interest loan from the Flood Infrastructure Fund on June 15.

Lake McQueeney WCID has named a temporary board of directors, as follows:

  • President Robert (Bob) L. Worth
  • VP Paul A Mueller
  • Sec Lindsey Gillum
  • Tres/Asst. Sec David Doughtie

Lake Placid

Lake Placid is moving toward the creation of a Water Control and Improvements District (WCID) through Guadalupe County, upon approval from the County Commissioner’s court the confirmation election will occur in November 2020

GBRA submitted an application with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) seeking a non-interest loan from the Flood Infrastructure Fund on June 15.

Safety Reminder

GBRA and the lake associations remind you to exercise caution when enjoying the Guadalupe Valley Lakes.

The hydroelectric dams that form the lakes have surpassed their useful life and can pose a life-threatening risk to anyone within the prohibited and restricted unsafe zones until construction of replacement spill gates can be completed.

Please review the maps available at GVLakes.com before going out on and around the water.

Prohibited unsafe zones upstream and downstream of the dams and spill gates, marked in red, are unsafe for all activities on or in the water including boating, canoeing, jet skiing, swimming, wading, tubing, etc.

Restricted unsafe zones, marked in yellow, are unsafe for all in-water activities including swimming, tubing, and wading.

GBRA has additional signage and buoys have been added on and around the water to clearly mark these prohibited and restricted areas.

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One Comment

  1. As a regular fisherman on Lake Dunlap, I am counting the days, months, and years until I can return to this beautiful body of water. I was wondering though – has anyone thought about an upgrade to the boat ramp/landing area under the I35 bridge? While the water level is low, this would be a perfect time to lengthen the ramp, plus provide for some barriers to protect the boats while they are being loaded and off loaded from the trailers. Something like the ramps under the I10 bridge at Lake Placid, would be perfect.

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