TEXAS — Much of the water making its way down the Guadalupe River from the Hill Country will drain into Canyon Lake. The floodwaters are causing the lake level to rise to a height that hasn’t been seen in quite some time, and the sight is drawing crowds to get a glimpse of it.
Lauri Ward is one of those people coming to look at the water levels at Canyon Lake. She quickly realized she wasn’t the only one who had the same idea.
“I’ve been to two other boat ramps so far just this morning, and there was a traffic jam on the road because people are out going and want to see it because we haven’t seen it this full in a very long time,” Ward said.
Ward said she has been glued to the TV, staying up to date on the ever-changing weather.
“We just thought it’s going to take a catastrophic flood, unfortunately. With what happened last year, it came up, but it did not come up as much as this. Of course it was a lot more rain this time than last year,” Ward said.
Rebecca Perez walks a path along the Canyon Lake dam every day, and she keeps her own running tally on the daily water levels.
“There was an island right over there in that area, and there was trees. I even have a picture on my phone because I sent it to my sister,” Perez said. “And I came by yesterday, and it’s gone. Completely gone. So it has risen a lot.”
Perez said she can’t help but think about the loss of life and property the recent flooding event caused.
“It’s sad that this has to happen in order for us to get this result here, so I was OK without it,” Perez said.
According to Water Data for Texas, Canyon Lake was 81.3% full as of Friday, July 17, rising 20% in two days.