Real Estate Photographer in Canyon Lake, TX

As the Guadalupe River flooded precariously on Friday, affecting multiple central Texas counties, all eyes are on Canyon Lake, which is part of the Canyon dam. Canyon Lake is a low-lying lake, formed in the backwaters of the Canyon Dam, and is very susceptible to water level rise.

After overnight rains over the Guadalupe River, which directly feeds the Canyon Lake in Texas Hill County, there has been a drastic increase in water level at the lake. Notably, due to the drought condition that prevails over central Texas for much of the year, the flood spillage level at Canyon Lake is relatively low. It is also true for other local lakes, such as Medina Lake. As a result, due to the sudden rise in water level, Canyon Lake now faces the possibility of water spillage.

Due to its relatively low levels, Canyon Lake has a 66-foot space before reaching the point of flood spillage. As of now, the water levels are a little more than halfway to that mark. Moreover, the rains have now moved south of the dam, meaning more water is now accumulating below the dam, reducing chances of flood spillage.

The floods, which have taken the lives of six people so far, have primarily affected Kerr County and the Texas Hill Country. Multiple lakes are nearing their levels with the possibility of further damage looming over Texas. Local authorities have instructed residents to move to higher ground, triggering evacuations in pockets.

Meanwhile, several children, who were camping along the Guadalupe River, went missing in the floods, triggering a search effort by the authorities in Texas Hill County and well as Kerr County. Camps, such as the Mystic River camp, Camp La Junta and Camp Waldemar has acknowledged that several children campers are unaccounted for.

Texas officials confirmed that over 25 girls at Camp Mystic in Kerr County, where the Guadalupe River rose more than 20 feet in less than two hours, are still unaccounted for. The death toll from the catastrophic floods rose to 27 on Saturday. This included nine children. While rescue efforts were on in southern and central Texas, several locals worried about the impact on the dam on the Guadalupe River.

The Victoria Office of Emergency Management issued a statement to address concerns. “Victoria OEM is closely monitoring flooding along the Guadalupe River. Canyon Lake is helping reduce downstream impact. We’re in contact with Canyon Dam, WGRFC, & partners,” it noted on X, platform formerly known as Twitter.

Read More: Who were Renee Smajstrla and Janie Hunt? Two missing Camp Mystic girls found dead in tragic discovery

This comes as authorities are facing scrutiny over whether the camps and residents in the region received proper warning and whether enough preparations were made. There are dozens of camps along the Guadalupe River. “We don’t even want to begin to estimate at this time,” said City Manager Dalton Rice said on Saturday morning.

“The camp was completely destroyed,” said Elinor Lester, 13, one of hundreds of campers. “A helicopter landed and started taking people away. It was really scary.”

Did the Guadalupe River dam fail?

Several locals posted about the dam on social media.

“Texas Flood: Two dams on Guadalupe River were opened, Wirtz & Starke dams. Starke dam is closer to Kerrville, Texas - where Christian camp was located - but were not opened until 10pm Friday night. The flood came 1-4am Friday morning. It appears both dams were opened same time...” one person tweeted.

“The Guadalupe river is connected to a lake that has a dam that can open its gates...the Guadalupe is super busy on the 4th...this looks super familiar doesn't it,” another one added.

However, Elon Musk-led xAi's bot, Grok, was quick to fact check these reports.

“No, based on current reports from CBS, NPR, AP, and Houston Chronicle, the Ingram Dam did not fail. The catastrophic flooding in Texas Hill Country on July 4-5, 2025, was caused by extreme rainfall, with the Guadalupe River rising rapidly from 3 to over 39 feet. The dam was overtopped but remains intact,” it explained.

Flooding from the Guadalupe River continues to impact Texas Hill Country communities days after the rain has stopped. Now multiple communities have seen the safety of their local drinking water disrupted.

Rising floodwaters have pushed sediment and debris into Canyon Lake, leading to water quality concerns and prompting boil water notices for residents across the Hill Country.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issued the directive over the weekend, requiring both the City of Blanco and Texas Water Company, which operates systems in Bulverde, Spring Branch and surrounding areas, to notify customers of the potential risk. Officials say the surge of flood runoff has affected water treatment systems that draw from or are connected to Canyon Lake, raising concerns about bacterial contamination.

Under the notice, residents are advised to boil all water used for consumption, including drinking, brushing teeth and cooking.The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil for at least two minutes and then cooled before use. In lieu of boiling, residents may use bottled water or another known safe source.

Local officials say this action is precautionary but necessary. Vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, are especially urged to follow the guidelines strictly.

The City of Blanco issued its boil water notice on Sunday, July 6, while the Texas Water Company enacted its own shortly after, covering multiple public water systems in the Hill Country. The notices will remain in effect until water samples pass state-mandated testing and are cleared for safe human consumption.

Residents should be prepared for this to be a multi-day precaution, as testing protocols require consistent water quality over a period of time. Officials have not given an exact timeline for when the notices will be lifted, but they will notify customers as soon as conditions return to normal.

In the meantime, the affected communities are being asked to help spread the word, especially to people in apartments, schools, businesses, or nursing homes who may not receive a direct alert.

While water levels in the Guadalupe River and Canyon Lake have begun to stabilize, the aftermath of the flooding continues to affect basic infrastructure. Officials say they are monitoring the situation closely and working to restore full water service as quickly and safely as possible.

The Texas Water Company shared the following subdivisions are under a Boil Water Notice:

Belle Oaks, Bulverde Hills, City of Bulverde, Copper Canyon, Cypress Springs on the Guadalupe, Edgebrooke, Glenwood, Hidden Trails, Hwy 281 North, Lantana Ridge, Oakland Estates, River Crossing, Riverwood Estates, Saddleridge, Singing Hills, Spring Branch Meadows, The Crossing @ Spring Creek, Ventana, and The Woods @ Spring Branch.

Canyon Lake Acres, Canyon Lake Island, Canyon Lake Shores, Cascada at Canyon Lake, Enclave subdivision, Comal Hills, Cougar Ridge, Deer River, Devils Backbone Heights, Glenmare, Hancock Canyon, Hancock Oaks Hills, Hancock, Hillcrest Estates, Lake of the Hills, Lakewood Hills, Mystic Bluff, Mystic Shores, North Lake Estates, Rancho Del Lago West, Rocky Creek Ranch, RCM-Cypress Lake Gardens, RCM-Rebecca Creek Estates, RCM-Rebecca Creek Park, RCM-Springs @ Rebecca Creek, Scenic Terrace, Stallion Estates, Stallion Springs, The Summit @ Fischer, Summit North, Serenity Oaks, Tamarack Shores, Tanglewood Shores, The Point, and The Cedars.

Sign up for TPR Today, Texas Public Radio's newsletter that brings our top stories to your inbox each morning.

A key source of water for 2.5 million people in the region is on the rise after deadly flooding this week.

The Edwards Aquifer rose three feet since Friday. The San Antonio Pool of the aquifer stood at nearly 638 feet on Monday, according to the Edwards Aquifer Authority. That is 10 feet higher than it was a year ago at this time. It still, however, is 21 feet below where it usually sits for this time of year.

The Comal Springs were bubbling faster too at 421 cubic feet of water per second on Monday, but the San Marcos Springs were still much lower at 100 cubic feet of water per second.

Endangered species rely on the spring flows for survival, like the tiny fountain darter fish. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports the Comal and upper San Marcos rivers are the only places in the world the fish can be found.

Customers of the San Antonio Water System remain under Stage 3 water restrictions. They may still only water yards by automatic sprinkler once a week based on street address.

The deluge of water down the Guadalupe River is pooling in Canyon Lake, in front of Canyon Dam.

The Texas Water Development Board reported that Canyon Lake, as of noon on Monday, was up nearly 11 feet from a week ago and stood at nearly 889 feet or nearly 62% full. Its full conservation pool sits at 909 feet. It was 46% full before the rains over the Fourth of July weekend.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assured him that the dam at the lake can handle the extra water.

SAN ANTONIO — The boil water notice for Canyon Lake Shores and its surrounding area has been lifted, according to The Texas Water Company.

"Water quality has been restored and meets all state safety standards following recent flooding and sedimentation from the Guadalupe River," the company said in a Facebook post.

The company says residents should now flush cold water taps for one minute, discard three batches of ice from ice makers, run water fountains and fridge lines and regenerate water softeners.

Deer Creek is still under the water boil.

Hill Country residents were notified of a water boil notice Sunday morning, which was extended following the severe flooding.

The Texas Water Company announced that their customers would remain under a water boil notice until test results meet safety standards.

Their goal was to lift the water boil notice by Wednesday, July 9, but officials said the boil remains in effect due to the severe flooding impacts and substantial influx of debris at Canyon Lake from the deadly Fourth of July floods.

Officials expect to lift the water boil notice by Friday, July 11.

According to the Texas Water Company, Customers may see cloudy or discolored water. Residents must bring water to a rigorous boil for at least two minutes before use, including consumption, cooking, or brushing teeth. To learn more about what to do during a boil water notice, click here.

"This precaution is in place to protect your health and safety, which remains our highest priority," the Texas Water Company said in a statement. "We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work diligently to restore safe water and quality service."

Crews are reportedly working to restore water quality and are collecting samples in coordination with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

Academy Sports + Outdoors announced Tuesday they will be giving away free cases of 24-count bottled water to the public at its Bulverde and New Braunfels locations. The giveaway will start around 6 p.m. until supplies last. They will be donating more than 3,000 bottled water packs.

Deer Creek is still under the water boil.