You’ve seen the photos on Facebook. Sun-bleached limestone cliffs that used to be underwater, lonely-looking docks sitting in the dirt, and those eerie "ghost forests" of cedar trees emerging from the depths. Honestly, if you just looked at the headlines, you’d think Canyon Lake was basically a puddle at this point.
But it’s not that simple.
As of January 16, 2026, the current canyon lake water level is sitting at 888.26 feet above mean sea level. To put that in perspective, the lake is officially "full" at 909 feet. We are currently 20.74 feet below full pool. That’s a lot of missing water, but it's actually a significant improvement from the terrifying lows we saw in late 2024 and early 2025.
The lake is currently hovering around 61.3% capacity.
Is it low? Yeah, definitely. But is it dying? Not even close.
The "July Miracle" and Why We Aren't Bone Dry
Most people don't realize how close we came to a total recreational shutdown. In June 2025, the lake bottomed out at roughly 46% capacity. Boat ramps were closing faster than a local cafe during a snowstorm. Then, the July 4th weekend happened. While everyone was planning BBQs, a massive storm system dumped double-digit rainfall across the Guadalupe River watershed.
Rain on the lake doesn't actually help that much. It's like trying to fill a bathtub by misting the surface. What matters is the watershed north of the lake.
That July flood sent a wall of water down the Guadalupe River at Spring Branch. In just a few days, the lake level shot up more than 10 feet. It was a massive, life-saving injection of water for the Texas Hill Country. Since that peak in September 2025 (where we hit about 66%), the level has been on a "slow-motion slide" downward.
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We’re losing about 0.03 to 0.05 feet a day right now. It sounds small, but over a month, that's over a foot of vertical water gone to evaporation and downstream releases.
Can You Actually Put a Boat in the Water?
This is the number one question I get. "Is Ramp 1 open?"
Actually, no. Comal County officially closed Boat Ramp #1 (the big one on Skyline Drive) on December 11, 2025, when the water dropped below the 889-foot mark. If you try to launch there now, you’re basically backing your trailer into a limestone ledge.
If you’re heading out this weekend, your options are pretty limited. Currently, only three ramps are reliably operational:
- Boat Ramp #14 (Jacob’s Creek Park) – This is the old faithful of the lake. It stays open longer than almost any other ramp because it’s cut deep into the rock.
- Boat Ramp #18 (Canyon Park) – The Water Oriented Recreation District (WORD) has been a hero here, keeping this ramp open indefinitely to support the local economy.
- Boat Ramp #19 (Canyon Lake Marina) – Usually your best bet for larger vessels, but expect to pay a fee.
Misconceptions About the Dam Releases
There is a lot of "neighbor-talk" about the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) "stealing" our water to sell to New Braunfels or San Marcos. It makes for a great conspiracy, but the math doesn't really support it.
The current release rate at the Canyon Dam at Sattler is roughly 60 cubic feet per second (cfs). That is a trickle. For comparison, during a flood, they might release 5,000 cfs. The GBRA is legally required to maintain a certain flow for downstream ecosystems and "trout flows" (yes, for the fish).
The real villain isn't the water company. It’s the sun.
In a hot Texas year, Canyon Lake can lose up to six feet of water just to evaporation. That is more water than all the local residents and downstream cities use combined. When it’s 100 degrees for 40 days straight, the lake is basically a giant, shallow bowl of water sitting on a hot stove.
The Reality of Stage 3 and 4 Restrictions
We are currently in Stage 3 water restrictions. This means if you live in Comal County, you're probably only allowed to water your lawn once every other week. There’s a lot of talk about moving to Stage 4, which would basically ban outdoor watering entirely.
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Why? Because the lake is a reservoir first and a playground second.
The water you see at 888 feet is what keeps the taps running in dozens of Hill Country towns. The "Conservation Pool" is that chunk of water between 800 feet and 909 feet. We still have over 80 vertical feet of water before the lake is "empty," but the top 20 feet are the easiest to access. Once the level drops, the pumps have to work harder, and the water quality can get a bit "earthy" due to turnover.
Is the Lake Still Worth Visiting?
Honestly? It's kind of beautiful right now.
Because the water is so low, the clarity is incredible. The Guadalupe River is feeding into a smaller basin, and the sediment settles out faster. The water looks almost Caribbean green. If you’re a hiker or a fossil hunter, this is your prime time. Land that has been underwater since the 1990s is currently accessible.
You can find old fence lines from the original ranches that were flooded when the dam was built in the 60s. You can see the old "Hancock" bridge ruins if you know where to look. It’s a bit of a graveyard for anchors and sunglasses, but it’s a unique way to see the "bones" of the lake.
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What Happens if it Doesn't Rain?
The National Weather Service (NWS) out of Corpus Christi issued a report earlier this month suggesting that drought conditions will likely persist through March 2026. We are in a "leaning dry" pattern.
If we don't get a "Spring Soak," the current canyon lake water level will likely dip back toward the 880-foot mark by mid-summer. That would be a crisis point for local marinas.
But history is on our side. In 2002, the lake was low and then filled up twice in one year. In 2015, we went from "drought of record" to "flood of record" in a single Memorial Day weekend. In Texas, the weather is either a vacuum or a firehose.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip:
- Check the App first: Use the Comal County "Boat Ramp Status" app before you hook up the trailer. Don't rely on what you saw last month.
- Watch for "New" Hazards: Low water means the "Humps" in the middle of the lake are now islands or just under the surface. If you haven't updated your GPS lake maps recently, stay in the deep channels.
- Support Local: The restaurants around the lake (especially on the north side) take a massive hit when the ramps close. If you're coming to hike the dam or the spillway, grab a burger in Startzville.
- Conserve: If you’re a local, stick to the watering schedule. Every gallon saved is a gallon that stays in the lake for the summer.
The lake isn't gone; it's just resting. We are one good tropical system away from having to worry about floodgates instead of closed ramps. Until then, enjoy the quiet, watch your prop, and keep an eye on those limestone markers.