I honesty wish it was McQueeney. Them folks out there don�t seem to like to share their lake. At least Dunlap still had public access. But after Lake Wood and now Dunlap, I bet they are scared.

One would almost think it would be in the state's best interest to take over the lakes, repair them and provide public access or parks. Mcqueeny has no public access at this time, Meadow lake dam looks horrible. The state should have been more involved years ago and the counties should be raising cane over the lost property values as well.

I cant say this is fact but, today I was told that the dams are owned by GBRA and no private entity can repair them, something to do with liability.

Buying land can be just as speculative as the stock market. If one bought a million dollar house on a lake with an old and questionable dam, it�s not the states problem to fix it to make sure they still have a million dollar house. Especially for a lake that doesn�t have public access. It�s a risk they took and I have no sympathy for them.

Oh I agree with you on the real estate issue, I just dont want to lose any more fishing holes

Tough deal all the way around. I know these structures are extremely aged and in need of repair. I know the earthquake in Smiley was just a 3.1. But, I'm just wondering if it might have had something to do with the failure. Especially, since the structures are compromised due to age.

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They are still there, but now they just don�t have a bunch of high ballast ski boats and jet skis running around. All you need now is a kayak.

The one and only cause of these dam failures is the complete failure to maintain the structures. GBRA should be dissolved and the Guadalupe River dams be transferred to LCRA. GBRA has failed to hold up their own charter as operator of the Guadalupe River system. They are nothing more than a good old boys club that only cares about flying to exotic locations in the name of "meetings".

The GBRA needs to come up with some answers! I can see some law suits being filed in the future!

And has many times, and a wonder that they've held as long as they have.....Now with two down, what about the others?
All are basically the same design and a reason for serious concern!

If the state were to step in, there had better be some state park public access to ALL the lakes if those funds were to be used.

I totally agree with you Jimbo. The State needs to step in! It is obvious that the GBRA is a total joke. I have friends that live on Lake Mcqueeney and Dunlap and they have some very negative things to say about the GBRA. I got a strong feeling that there will be some legal problems for the GBRA down the road.

Just from what I've read, so I'm no expert when it comes to these lakes, but my understanding is they were used for hydro electric generating and that they haven't been used for quite a while.
If that's the case, they only function as lakes for recreation only, and as for flood control, they don't serve that purpose either as the water during a flood just goes over the top, so no real function in that regard.
Since there is no money generated to maintain or repair the dams, they are all now in limbo until someone in the private sector can come up with a way to fund the repairs which seems unlikely.
As for the state stepping in and saving the day, I don't see it happening unless there are some political arms that can be twisted and backs to be scratched.
I just hope if any public funds were to be used, there would be public access to ALL the lakes, and not just money used to keep home and property values up for the homeowners around the lakes.
If I lived or had property on McQueeney I would be very nervous about now!

I believe you hit the nail on the head Jimbo.

Totally agree however any property owner who has property on all of the Hydro Lakes needs to be very very nervous! I do not see the State of Texas bailing out the GBRA or the home owners. Just my two cents.

The federal government WILL get involved at some point. The dam at Gonzales, owned by the City of Gonzales, is right now undergoing re-certification. That involves 3 million investment to repair the generators and some structural repairs. If the repairs were not done, the city was facing 7 million to de-certify and make the dam structural safe.

At some point, GBRA WILL have to do the same. Just depends on when their certification expires.

Yep, any money that would be used toward a lawsuit would be better served pledging money to a politicians campaign have them get the ball rolling on funds to fix those lakes.
I'm sure there are some property owners with deep enough pockets to get a politicians attention.