The end of the boat ramp under I-35 was out of the water this morning....went to Schumann's and it looks like they are repaving that launch as it was covered with forms and rebar. The water level has been dropped WAAAY down...looked like another 4 feet. I saw stumps out there that I did not know existed. That flat out from schumann's is exposed.

Anyone know what is up and how long it will be this low?

This was posted by wgpj.


Way to go guys. Glad you had a successful day. As to question about look of Placid water, it looks perfectly normal to me. And as to questions about Dunlap level return to normal, here's your answer.


PLDA MEMBERS

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING LETTER FROM GBRA ON DAM REPAIRS



Message Headline

Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2011 4:21 PM
Subject: Removal of Obstructions to Occur Concurrent with Completion of Lake Dunlap Dam Repairs

Stump Hazards Marking and Removal of Obstructions to Occur Concurrent with Completion of Lake Dunlap Dam Repairs



After meeting with its contractor for dam repairs, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) staff has agreed to an amended completion date for the repair work on the Lake Dunlap Dam. While those repairs are being completed, a plan developed to further lower the level of Lake Dunlap during a two- to three-day period to accommodate the marking and removal of hazardous stumps, and identification of other debris.

Previously, GBRA's hydroelectric crews had lowered the level of Lake Dunlap for an approximate 60- to 90-day period beginning in mid-August. Recently, the contractor submitted a change order that affects the initial timeline developed for completion of the repairs. This change has moved the anticipated completion date to on or before Jan. 31, 2012.

On Thursday, GBRA staff met with members of Preserve Lake Dunlap Association and Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens to coordinate the additional lake work during the repairs on the dam. During the week of Nov. 28 through Dec. 2, 2011, GBRA's hydroelectric crews will lower already subordinate lake level by an additional two feet. During that time, staff and contracted help will be able to remove some stumps, mark known lake hazards with buoys and identify any new debris or hazards that may have settled in the lake more recently. When that work has been completed, crews will begin the process of refilling the lake to the previous level of two feet below normal for dam repair construction to continue. Because of low river flows, the refilling process is expected to take approximately 12 to 13 days.

thanks. now I just need to find a place to launch my canoe....

I was thinking the same thing, lol.

Thanks for the info Mike. Looks like the lake level will be back up soon.

Hendo: when drrouter and I were out at shumanns monday the guy that seems to run the place said he was going to extend the ramp I imagine that is what you saw.

Laterz,
dafanman

Dang, looks like we may need to move our tournament location for January.......

It should be back up for January, we hope.

Hey, let me know if you get back out there. I'd like to know the status of that ramp. I'd like to get a canoe in there mon or tues.

i heard that they were also doing repairs to the canyon lake dam? Can someone verify this?

yes, they are doing repairs

looked like schumanns ramp is done as of about 2pm 12-2-11

They might have a few days of curing time for the cement.

Was out there before the water was lowered and man there are some big stumps just under the surface in the main channel. One of those stumps would ruin the heck out of your day!

thanks

As of Fri Dec 2 the area from Schumans Beach to the dam is closed to all boat traffic both moterized and non motorized until further notice. Apparently a group of individuals started cutting up some of the stumps without GBRA permission so they put that area of lake off limits to everyone.

On Thursday, GBRA staff met with members of Preserve Lake Dunlap Association and Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens to coordinate the additional lake work during the repairs on the dam. During the week of Nov. 28 through Dec. 2, 2011, GBRA's hydroelectric crews will lower already subordinate lake level by an additional two feet. During that time, staff and contracted help will be able to remove some stumps, mark known lake hazards with buoys and identify any new debris or hazards that may have settled in the lake more recently. When that work has been completed, crews will begin the process of refilling the lake to the previous level of two feet below normal for dam repair construction to continue. Because of low river flows, the refilling process is expected to take approximately 12 to 13 days.

"On Thurs Dec 1 individuals acting independitly of the coordinated effort began the unauthorized partial removal of about 80 stumps resulting in creating more hazardous conditions in Lake Dunlap.In essence, many of the partially cut stumps are at water level. GBRA officials have determined that it is the interest of public safety to issue the restrictions on a portion of Lake Dunlap for a period of time to allow inspection and removal and marking of designated tree stumps and to address additional hazardous conditions caused by the unauthorized stump cutting." From GBRA wedsite

Restrictions Imposed on Lake Dunlap for Safety

Posted: December 02, 2011

For more information
LaMarriol Smith, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, (830) 379-5822, lsmith@gbra.org

Press Releases - 2011
Download as PDF

SEGUIN – The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority General Manager William “Bill” E. West, Jr., has imposed restrictions on portions of Lake Dunlap in Comal and Guadalupe counties prohibiting the use of motorized and non-motorized watercraft. Specifically, the restrictions apply on Lake Dunlap from the north end of Camp Porter Road to Lake Dunlap Dam. This emergency action is effective beginning noon Friday, Dec. 2, 2011.

A copy of the General Manager’s Action may be viewed in its entirety online at http://www.gbra.org/documents/resolutions/11120201.pdf.

Lake Dunlap had been lowered to facilitate repairs on Lake Dunlap Dam and while those repairs were occurring, a coordinated and balanced effort began with enforcement and fisheries officers with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). The effort was established for the removal and marking of identified tree stumps and other hazards/obstructions within Lake Dunlap. On Thursday, Dec. 1, individuals acting independently of the coordinated effort began the unauthorized partial removal of about 80 stumps resulting in creating potentially more hazardous conditions in Lake Dunlap. In essence, many of the partially cut stumps are at water level. GBRA officials have determined that it is in the interest of public safety to issue the restrictions on a portion of Lake Dunlap for a period of time to allow inspection and removal and marking of designated tree stumps and to address additional hazardous conditions caused by the unauthorized stump cutting.

GBRA is authorized under Section 31.092 of the Parks and Wildlife Code to establish restrictions lakes operated by GBRA.

“As the steward of the Guadalupe River, including Lake Dunlap, GBRA has to consider safety, recreational, and conservation issues affecting all lake and river users. It is unfortunate that a select few fail to consider the bigger picture and acted in their own interests and potentially exacerbated the hazardous conditions on the lake,” West explained. “Our staff will work expeditiously to get buoys in place and resolve these safety issues,” he added.

The restriction is in place and effective through noon Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011. TPWD game wardens and sheriff’s deputies will ticket violators of the restrictions.

The GBRA was established by the Texas Legislature in 1933 as a water conservation and reclamation district. GBRA provides stewardship for the water resources in its 10-county statutory district, which begins near the headwaters of the Guadalupe and Blanco rivers, ends at San Antonio Bay, and includes Kendall, Comal, Hays, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Gonzales, DeWitt, Victoria, Calhoun, and Refugio counties.

I don't have warm fuzzies about this lake being up and ready for our tournament in mid Jan....

I don't think it will be ready lol it's been a while they have been delaying things up .

lake placid is right down the road!

I think that would be good location don't they have public ramp somewhere there ?

Under I-10 bridge

Man, Me and my brother had the same problem. We took the boat to dunlap and couldn't launch. We ended up fishing from shore next to the boat ramp. 6 large mouth and one 3pound small mouth later.
We decided to go up river a little too fish the wing damn by the old mill. I don't know if we are aloud to fish there or not. But we did pick up 3 more large mouth bass.
All in all we had a pretty good day not being able to launch the boat.

I was there today,....just looking.
The I-35 bridge ramp is totally unusable (your trailer tires will drop into the dark depths of the Guadalupe).
The $5 fee ramp is also unusable (way too shallow).
BTW the stump field is frightening.

You mean the I35 bridge ramp right? Or are you talking about Placid?

Yes, on the I-35. Thanks for the catch, I went back and corrected it.

water levels come back up at all?

Not yet haven't heard any update .

I just talked to GBRA. The lake will remain lowered 4' at least until the end of the year and could stay lowered the 4' until the end of January when the work on the damn is scheduled to be completed. They would have begun to refill it by now to the 2' low level if it were not for the guys that, without permission, cut the stumps down to the water level. Lake officials are now scared to raise it back the 2' due to the dangers of the stumps just below the surface. They are actually considering making the lower end of the lake, the part now closed, into a permanent NO WAKE zone.

Works for me.

It's good they are going to clean up those stumps

No wake zone works for me too.

no wake zone would be good news.
it's funny how you hear people griping about replacing their retaining wall every few years as they back their massive wakeboat out.
after seeing that head on crash several novembers ago by the curve at the softball fields, they could put a bunch of those bouys out in my opinion.

The guy I talked to from GBRA encouraged me to spread the word for anyone with any comments, concerns or ideas to email them through their website and each one would be reviewed.

This is the guy I spoke with. He was extremely helpful in answering all my questions and offered everything he knew about the lake's current situation.

from the GBRA's website http://www.gbra.org/about/management.aspx

David M. Welsch - Seguin
Executive Manager of Business Development and Resource Management

Evaluates and expands strategic business alliances for GBRA, oversees activities for all new services and projects, property acquisition, acquisition of state and federal permits, and for the management of water quality and environmentally related services. Serves as the principal contact for chamber relations, new customers, economic development partners, and grant funding partners.

Phone: 830-379-5822 Ext. 505
Fax: 830-379-9718
Email: dwelsch@gbra.org

Sounds like that needs to be the person everyone should
be talking to about getting an access to McQueeny also.

I cannot be sure about that, but if he ISN'T the guy i sure bet he'd send you in the right direction. He seemed like a great guy willing to help out in any way possible to me.