Two Hill Country lakes see rare gains after years of drought

Days after catastrophic flooding swept through the Texas Hill Country, lake levels across the drought-prone region are still rising, offering a rare bright spot after years of concern over depleting reservoirs nearing "dead pool status." 

While the flooding left widespread damage, it also brought the most significant influx of water to many local lakes in years, leaving some communities wondering whether the increase will provide lasting relief after years of drought. 

Boerne City Lake

Boerne City Lake reached full pool last week, reaching as high as 140% capacity by July 16 during the heavy rainstorms. According to Boerne communications and civic engagement director Chris Shadrock, the lake, which can typically hold 42 feet of water, peaked at around 60 feet high late last week. The popular recreational spot is only now losing water at a rapid rate. Before this month, the last time the lake was full was in January of 2022. Lake levels roughly doubled over the course of the last week. 

Medina Lake 

Farther west, Medina Lake also saw a significant rebound after nearing "deadpool status" in April 2025, when lake levels dropped to about 2%.

The lake reached its highest water levels in years after heavy rains triggered flash flooding, raising it to 25.3% full by Saturday, July 18. By Monday, July 20, the lake had climbed to 27% full, according to Water Data for Texas - a jump from a mean water level of 991.16 feet to 1,018.85 feet in one week, a difference of nearly 28 feet. 

The last time the popular lake reached full capacity was in 2019.

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