Medina Lake Levels Plummet Despite Summer Flood Relief

As of October 10, 2025, Medina Lake in the Texas Hill Country is once again struggling with critically low water levels, just months after a summer flood provided temporary relief.

The lake, located 40 miles northwest of San Antonio, had suffered through several years of lackluster rainy seasons, with its water levels dropping to historic lows. In April and May of 2025, the lake hit "dead pool" status, with its reservoirs plummeting to just 2.1% and 1.9% of capacity, respectively.

However, the heavy rains that caused deadly floods in nearby Kerr County on July 4, 2025, provided a much-needed boost. The floodwaters from the Guadalupe River filled Medina Lake, raising its levels to 5% of capacity in the days after the flood and then to 6.1% by August. Reports estimate the lake's water levels may have risen by as much as 6.5% at the peak of the summer season.

But this reprieve was short-lived. By October 1, 2025, the lake's water levels had fallen back below 6% capacity, reigniting concerns over its long-term sustainability. The lake's elevation currently stands at 982.6 feet, more than 80 feet below its conservation pool of 1,064.2 feet.

Experts attribute the lake's ongoing struggles to a combination of factors, including the region's persistent drought and increasing population demand straining the surrounding aquifers. Dave Mauck, general manager of the Bandera County River Authority & Groundwater District, warned in April 2025 that one of the lake's aquifers was under significant strain, leading to drying wells and record-low recharge potential.

For the businesses, farmers, and residents who depend on Medina Lake, the latest drop in water levels signals an unsettling return to the harsh realities of water scarcity in the Texas Hill Country.