Medina Lake’s water levels have dropped to a record low, impacting local businesses reliant on water activities.
LAKEHILLS, Texas — The dried up shores of Medina Lake have business owners in the area pleading for Mother Nature to provide some much needed precipitation.
“Just pray for rain. If somebody out there knows how to do a rain dance, get after it,” said Dale Ames, owner of Medina Lake Secure Storage.
The lack of sufficient water levels at Medina Lake have steered away those who love having fun on the water, which means a drag in business. Camper trailers are among the
“We’re not growing at all at this point. In fact, we’re shrinking a bit,” Ames said. “We’ve never lost a customer, boat customers before, but we lost a few this year and I think one last year.”
Also shrinking are the Medina Lake water levels.
“This is the lowest I’ve ever seen it,” Ames said.
Medina Lake is currently 20% lower compared to the 2011 drought, according to Mack Morris, meteorologist with the National Weather Service. But the NWS is forecasting at least a couple days of potential rainfall for Bandera County with the eastern part of the county having a greater chance of relief.
“That gives you an idea of how low it is. It’s only at 2.2 % right now,” Morris said. “Between a 20-40 % chance for four or more inches of rainfall with this event. Any rainfall that can go into that reservoir into the watershed there and get into the lake there would be extremely beneficial.”
On July 30, 2024, Medina Lake was 3.4% full.
For Mike Crandall, owner of Wallys Watersports, he’s managing so far by keeping up with the kayak and ski elements of his business.
“When people call, I tell them there’s no boat ramps open,” Crandall said. “There’s not much water, but there’s enough water to do that.”
But like many others, he’s desperate for any amount of rain at this point.
“Even if it came up three feet that’d be great, I’ll take anything.”