This past week’s rain did little to raise water levels at Medina Lake, which remains near historic lows despite recent storms in the Texas Hill Country.
While the lake has seen a slight uptick since April 20, data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Water Data for Texas show levels are still critically low, like other bodies of water in the region.
As of Thursday, April 23, Medina Lake is just 3.9% full, only a tenth of a percentage point higher than the same time last week.
Following heavy rain and flash flood warnings on Monday, April 20, the lake’s surface area increased from 717.4 acres to 721.6 acres in a single day. Levels continued a gradual rise throughout the week, reaching 723.2 acres as of April 23, according to USGS data.
Despite the recent rainfall, the minimal gains highlight the severity of low water levels at Medina Lake and the broader drought conditions affecting Central and South Texas.
Local officials say the recent gains are far from enough to reverse the long-term effects of the Texas drought. Dave Mauk, the Bandera County River Authority & Groundwater District manager previously told MySA that significantly more rainfall will be needed to restore Medina Lake.
Mauk added that the prolonged dry conditions may reflect a larger shift in regional climate patterns.
“It’s getting to the point now, where I’m starting to wonder if this cycle’s going to be long enough that drought is the new normal out here, and when we have wet years, flood years, that’s the outlier,” he said.
Despite ongoing low water levels, some local business owners emphasize that Medina Lake remains open and usable for recreation.
Sarah Voss, owner of Sunset Resort at Medina Lake in Mico, Texas, said the area has received more than 5 inches of rain over the past month. While the increase has not significantly raised lake levels, she said visitors are still enjoying boating and other activities.
“Medina Lake is not dry and dead like a lot report,” she said. “We have boaters launching daily that are enjoying the lake at its current level, …there is still water and fun to be had out here.”
Voss and her husband host weekly events at the lakeside resort and offer amenities for fishing, boating and kayaking. The property includes a concrete boat ramp, restaurant and recreational courts, all open to visitors.
Historical data from the U.S. Geological Survey shows Medina Lake water levels have steadily declined over the past six months. In October, the lake held 13,834 acre-feet of water. As of late April, storage has dropped to 9,892 acre-feet, reflecting the continued impact of drought conditions.