Lake Dunlap facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Dunlap |
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 Lake Dunlap
Location in Texas
Lake Dunlap
Location in the United States
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| Location | Guadalupe County, Texas |
| Coordinates | 29°40.70′N 98°4.00′W / 29.67833°N 98.06667°W |
| Type | Hydroelectric reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Guadalupe River |
| Primary outflows | Guadalupe River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 410 acres (170 ha) |
| Max. depth | 40 ft (12 m) |
| Water volume | 5,900 acre⋅ft (0.0073 km3) |
| Surface elevation | 575 ft (175 m) |
Lake Dunlap is a man-made lake, also called a reservoir, located on the Guadalupe River in Guadalupe County, Texas. It's close to the city of New Braunfels. This lake was created in 1931 when a dam was built to produce electricity using water power.
Lake Dunlap is a popular spot for outdoor fun like fishing and boating. However, in 2019, part of the dam broke, which caused most of the lake's water to drain away. People are now working to rebuild the dam.
Fish and Wildlife in Lake Dunlap
Lake Dunlap is home to many kinds of fish. These fish are put into the lake on purpose to make it a great place for fishing.
Some of the fish you can find in Lake Dunlap include:
Fun Things to Do at Lake Dunlap
Lake Dunlap is a calm and family-friendly place for water activities. The lake is narrow in some parts, and trees along the shore help protect it from strong winds.
The only free public place to get into the lake is a boat ramp. This ramp is located near the Interstate Highway 35 overpass in New Braunfels.
Even though the dam broke and the water level is lower, some areas of the lake are still deep enough for boats. However, boaters need to be careful because there are many unmarked tree stumps and rocks hidden underwater.
People enjoy activities like wakeboarding and water skiing on Lake Dunlap. These sports are mostly done in the deeper parts of the lake, closer to where the dam used to be.
The Dam's Collapse and Rebuilding
On May 14, 2019, a part of the Lake Dunlap dam broke. This section was 90 years old and called the middle spillway. It collapsed suddenly, causing most of the lake's water to drain out by the end of the day. The lower, concrete part of the dam stayed in place.
The collapse happened because the old steel parts of the dam had worn out. The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA), which manages the lake, worked with people who live by the lake. They formed groups to help figure out how to fix the dam.
Engineers and the Texas Water Development Board came up with a plan to replace the broken spill gates at Lake Dunlap and other old dams managed by GBRA. On November 3, 2020, the residents living around Lake Dunlap voted. They approved plans to create a special district and collect taxes. These taxes will help pay for building a new dam.
The new dam is expected to be finished by the fall of 2022.
