Posted: June 30, 2009

For more information
LaMarriol Smith, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, [830] 379-5822 or email

Due to the current drought conditions and increased demands for water supply by the City of Victoria, the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) will increase the release rate from Canyon Lake from 60 cfs to 125 cfs effective at 1:00 p.m. today.

According to GBRA General Manager W. E. "Bill" West, the 125 cfs rate of release of water reflects the sum of the downstream commitments of water plus an amount for environmental flows. Water users upstream and downstream are implementing water conservation measures in response to the demands resulting from the drought and dwindling supplies of both surface and groundwater.

The request was received by GBRA Monday afternoon and will begin at 1:00 p.m. today. This notice comes in order to advise local interests of the change in flow rate and to assure water safety.

Like many other cities and industry, Victoria has made an investment in their future by securing alternative water supplies to sustain them during low flow and drought conditions.

Flow levels throughout the Basin are very low including the declining spring flows of Comal and San Marcos Springs.

"Canyon is fulfilling its role of storing flood waters and releasing them to provide beneficial uses to cities, industry and others" said West. All users throughout the Guadalupe River Basin are encouraged to limit their water usage.

-30-