I just found this article I wonder how it will affect fishing

http://www.gbra.org/news/2011/070601.aspx

Lake Dunlap to be Lowered for Repairs to Dam


Posted: July 06, 2011

For more information
LaMarriol Smith, GBRA, (830) 379-5822, lsmith@gbra.org
Press Releases - 2011
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SEGUIN � Late Sunday evening, July 10, 2011, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) hydroelectric crews will begin lowering the level of Lake Dunlap so that the lake will be the necessary 18 to 24 inches down by Monday, July 11, to begin repairs to the dam.

Initially, repairs to the dam would have commenced earlier. On May 18, the GBRA�s Board of Directors had authorized GBRA�s general manager to enter into an agreement with the lowest project bidder to conduct repairs on the dam at Lake Dunlap. However, after having met with Preserve Lake Dunlap Association board members, GBRA staff adjusted the schedule, allowing the repair work to commence July 11, 2011, and continuing for an approximate 60- to 90-day period.

James Murphy, GBRA�s executive manager of Water Resources and Utility Operations, said that GBRA staff has a myriad of factors to consider in scheduling such repairs, including but not limited to:
the condition of the gates on the 80+ year-old structure,
low flow conditions that are more conducive to making repairs in a safe manner,
manpower,
work conditions,
the schedule of repairs on the next hydroelectric dam given fiscal year budgeting,
fisheries and recreation, and
maintaining safe drinking water supplies.

"Recreation may not be ideal on all areas of Lake Dunlap, so lake users should exercise caution while the lake level is lowered,� Murphy explained. �We recognize that a lot of lake residents remain displeased with our repair schedule, but we still have a responsibility with respect to safety to the community and safety for work crews.�

�The intent of initially adjusting the schedule was to give lake residents the full enjoyment of recreational activities throughout the month of June, as well as over the Memorial Day and Independence Day holidays,� Murphy said, adding, �We will continue to try to take positive steps in our efforts to be good stewards of the hydro lakes, and good partners working with the residents along the affected hydro lakes.�

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.

This should be interesting. Anglers are going to have to make some adjustments and also figure out patterns of fish once the level is lowered. There will be changes in fish habits for sure. The deeper parts of the lake should pick up activity. We will just need to see how this works out. Thanks for sharing.

It's funny I had never heard about this in the newspaper or anything. I am sure alot of people are going to be suprised when the levels drop. Fishing is going to change for sure

An Angler could take advantage of a lower lake depending if they can figure the pattern changes. I would say to look for the deeper water. I is all going to depend on the habit changes of the fish.

i didn't see it in the herald either. They usually publish such news as they did a few months ago when GBRA lowered the lake 2 feet for a week or so, to check out the dam. I didn't go on the lake but went to ramp to check it out. Amazing what a difference 2 feet makes. You can see the drop off at end of ramp and a few folks went a little too far. 2 months Wow!

I am glad I got out there when I did! Who knows, maybe the fishing will get better? I plan on going out there just to see it.

I think I would be rather upset as a home owner if my my boat dock was sitting in 5' of water and now is sitting in 3' water during the busiest time of the year...a time when all the kiddo's want to visit and go swimming fishing etc...and yes indeed 2' of surface water makes a huge difference.

I know it seems like a bad time to do it. You would think they would try it in oct/nov timeframe. This, coupled with the drought killing the Upper Guad, will make the summer heat seem even worse.

I plan on taking the canoe out a little more it is sad to see it drop but maybe it will keep the ski boats and jet ski to a minimum. Only time will tell I hope the fishing improves

Here we have a very low water condition in the rivers due to natural causes. Boat ramps that need work are getting some attention while the water is. Folks with a canoe or kayak are getting into areas the boaters can not access.

1 1/2 to 2 feet shouldn't make that big of a difference, should it? When I first saw the headline I was thinking 8 - 10 feet!

Might cause some problems for the speeders out there; watch for stumps!

1-2 vertical feet usually means quite a few lateral feet. Dunlap gets deep pretty quick for the most part so it may not have as big an effect but i remember when Lake Mathis would get 3-4 ft low it would mean alot less water.

Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) staff again adjusted the Lake Dunlap Dam repair schedule following a meeting with a Preserve Lake Dunlap Association (PLDA) representative about the lowering of Lake Dunlap for contracted repair work on the dam. Under the new schedule, the lake lowering will commence Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011.

Under the revised schedule, GBRA and PLDA representatives have agreed to address some potential water safety hazards around Lake Dunlap, such as removing some of the partially submerged tree stumps and installing warning signage in appropriate areas.

�In the spirit of compromise, GBRA met with PLDA representatives so that both parties would have a full understanding of the respective issues involved with delaying much-needed repairs to the dam,� Bill West, GBRA general manager said, and explained, �We want to accommodate our constituents� desire for summer recreational activity on the lake, but we want to act responsibly with respect to safety, so we feel like a the new schedule was reasonable.�

On May 18, the GBRA�s Board of Directors authorized GBRA�s general manager to enter into an agreement with the lowest project bidder to conduct repairs on the dam at Lake Dunlap. Initially, the repairs would have begun earlier, but the new schedule allows repair work to begin Aug. 14, 2011, continuing for an approximate 60- to 90-day period.


Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority
933 E. Court St., Seguin, TX 78155
830-379-5822
830-372-0868 fax
www.gbra.org

You can see it today. I just came from the ramp and it's low now. But, I called GBRA and they said they would start filling it up tonight until 8-14.

it might be tough for a while, but just think how much the weeds and such are going to grow in the exposed areas and how great the fishing will be when it get flooded! that happened to livingston after hurricane ike messed up the dam here. it was like a whole new lake for a while. it still is in some ways!