With Lake Drainage Plan Set For Next Month, Guadalupe River Residents Are Fighting Back

Four Central Texas lakes controlled by the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority are set to be drained because their dams are unsafe. Residents say the action will harm the local economy and their property values.

By Jill AmentAugust 28, 2019 1:21 pm

The news that four lakes on the Guadalupe River will be drained next month has residents living along those lakes up in arms. 

The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority is taking this extraordinary action over concerns about the failures of aging dams. Now, a group of people living along one of those lakes says they want to fight the decision in court.

Josh Baugh has been covering this story for the San Antonio Express-News, where he reports on the environment. He says the dams along the river were built in the 1920s, and the GBRA has determined they are no longer safe.

“They’re very concerned at this point that there could be loss of life if there is another catastrophic incident – a spillgate failure – they’ve had two of them so far,” Baugh says.

In July, GBRA’s board instructed the organization’s general manager to do what he could to mitigate public safety risks. Though signage warning people to avoid the area has been posted, video surveillance footage shows people climbing on the fragile dams. 

Residents say that draining the lakes will harm their property values and the local economy. 

“They say that there’s a lot of spending that occurs from people buying gas and bait and beer at the gas station around the corner, to maid service, to construction jobs, all kinds of things,” Baugh says.

Though residents acknowledge potential safety concerns, Baugh says the certain economic impact outweighs the possibility of dam failures.

GBRA is set to drain the lakes on Sep. 16. Residents have raised money for legal challenges, and are working to get an injunction against GBRA before the draining begins.

 

Written by Shelly Brisbin.