Lake Information

Every lake around New Braunfels has its own size, dam and personality. Start with this side-by-side look, then dig into the guide for the one that fits.

Lake Information, Texas
Map of the Guadalupe River from Canyon Lake through New Braunfels, Lake Dunlap, Lake McQueeney, Lake Placid, Lake Seguin and Meadow Lake

Map not to scale.

The lakes side by sideCanyon Lake is about 20 times the size of Lake Dunlap.
LakeSizeCountyDamLocation and purpose
Canyon Lake8,308 acresComalBuilt 1964Corps of Engineers flood-control damHill Country reservoir built for flood control and water supply. Levels rise and fall with rain and drought.
Lake Dunlap410 acresGuadalupeBuilt 1928Rebuilt, finished 2023Guadalupe River lake about 9 miles northwest of Seguin.
Lake McQueeney396 acresGuadalupeBuilt 1928Rebuilt, water returned 2026Guadalupe River lake about 5 miles northwest of Seguin.
Lake Placid248 acresGuadalupeBuilt 1932Rebuilt, water returned 2026Guadalupe River lake just southwest of Seguin.

Sources: Texas Water Development Board, GBRA. Sizes are at normal lake level.

LAKE MCQUEENEY

Lake McQueeney is located in Guadalupe County approximately two miles west of Seguin. The pond area is 400 acres with a storage capacity of 5,050 acre-feet. The lake's prominent feature is Treasure Island, a residential area reached by a connecting bridge. Most of the lake is approximately 10 feet deep, with deeper sections along the center channel.

LAKE PLACID

Lake Placid is located in Guadalupe County between Lake McQueeney and Meadow Lake. The pond area is 248 acres with a storage capacity of 2,624 acre-feet. Most of the lake is shallow with maximum depths of 30-35 feet near the dam.

LAKE DUNLAP

Lake Dunlap is located on the northwest border of Guadalupe County near New Braunfels, within an hour's drive of both Austin and San Antonio. This 410-acre lake has a storage capacity of 5,900 acre-feet. Maximum depth near the dam is 40 feet.
Meadow Lake: Meadow Lake is located in Guadalupe County south of Seguin. The pond area is 153 acres with a storage capacity of 1,550 acre-feet. This small, narrow lake provides less area for skiers and more undisturbed fishing for anglers, including bait chunkers and trotliners. Maximum depth is about 35 feet.

CANYON LAKE

Construction of Canyon Dam on the Guadalupe River Mile 303 began in 1958. It was constructed to serve two purposes - flood control and water conservation. Flood protection is provided to 157,250 acres of land downstream from the dam. The high canyons of the upper Guadalupe have a channel capacity of 40,000-50,000 cubic feet per second. The channel on the lower Guadalupe River has a capacity of only 13,000-30,000 cubic feet per second; therefore, the lower Guadalupe River Basin had been especially subject to serious flooding. The construction of Canyon Dam on the edge of the Balcones Escarpment has been very effective in protecting the lower Guadalupe River Basin.

LAKE SEGUIN

Narrow body of water located in between Lake Placid and Meadow Lake.

City of Seguin, Texas

Home to the Seguin Paddling Trail

Max Starcke Park Golf Course borders Lake Seguin

The Power Plant Texas Grill located on Lake Seguin

MEADOW LAKE

Meadow Lake is located in the heart of Guadalupe County. The head waters start below Starcke Park and flow south through the city of Seguin. It is a small and narrow lake with a pond area of 153 acres and storage capacity of 1,550 acre-feet. The maximum depth of the lake is 35 feet and boating, fishing, jet skiing, and water skiing are allowed.

Three lakes, three new damsYears each lake sat low while its nearly 100-year-old dam was replaced
20192020202120222023202420252026Lake Dunlap: Gate failed May 2019, Refilled Oct 2023Lake DunlapGate failed May 2019Refilled Oct 2023Lake Placid: Drained 2021, Full Apr 2026Lake PlacidDrained 2021Full Apr 2026Lake McQueeney: Drained 2023, Full Apr 2026Lake McQueeneyDrained 2023Full Apr 2026
View as table
LakeWent lowWater returned
Lake DunlapGate failed May 2019Refilled Oct 2023
Lake PlacidDrained 2021Full Apr 2026
Lake McQueeneyDrained 2023Full Apr 2026

Sources: Community Impact, KSAT, GBRA. Current status. Placid and McQueeney are shown from the start of the year they were drained.