The Guadalupe Valley Hydroelectric System includes a series of small, on-channel impoundments known as the lakes Dunlap, McQueeney, and Placid situated along the Guadalupe River between New Braunfels and Seguin.
Constructed between 1928 and 1932, and acquired by Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) in 1963, the dams creating the Guadalupe Valley Lakes and have served the region for nearly a century by providing hydroelectric generation, recreational opportunities, and supporting water resource management.
Through collaborative funding partnerships with voter-approved Water Control and Improvement Districts (WCID), the Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative (GVEC), and GBRA updated critical infrastructure and modern spillgate systems have been installed at Lake Dunlap, Lake McQueeney, and Lake Placid, restoring lake levels, improving long-term reliability, and enabling hydroelectric generation. The construction, financing, long-term maintenance, and operations of the dams and new spillgates are funded through taxes assessed by each WCID. Any revenues from the generation of hydroelectric power at each dam are repaid to the specific WCID for the benefit of the associated dam.
These projects represent a significant investment in the region’s infrastructure and demonstrate the value of partnerships between GBRA and the communities it serves.
Meadow Lake, Lake Gonzales, and Lake Wood remain out of hydroelectric service.
