Following several severe floods in the 1930's, the Federal Government and GBRA began developing plans for Canyon Reservoir to provide flood control to an area that is the sixth most flood-prone region in the nation, as well as a dependable supply of stored water for municipal, industrial and agricultural uses throughout the Guadalupe River Basin.

The drought of the 1950's made the project a necessity, and Canyon Reservoir was completed and began impounding water in 1964. The Reservoir was built and financed through a partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and GBRA. GBRA owns the right to the conservation storage portion of the Reservoir (the water stored between 800 and 909 feet elevation mean sea level). GBRA pays about 35% of the debt on the Dam and Reservoir, as well as a portion of the annual operating expenses.

Under permits granted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), GBRA has the right to store water in the 'conservation pool' for water supply purposes and to deliver that water to customers. For many, this is their sole water source while others contract with GBRA to ensure a firm backup supply during drought. Releases from the conservation pool are based upon natural inflows, licensed flows for the project, senior water rights, contract releases from the conservation pool for cities, industries and other downstream users, and bay and estuary flow requirements.

For more information about Canyon Reservoir, view the Canyon Reservoir Fact Sheet.