local
LAKE LEVELS: Recent storms bring dramatic turnaround for Medina and Canyon lakes
By Shelby Ebertowski at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 18, 2026
· 2 min read
After years of drought concerns and shrinking shorelines, recent historic rainfall across the Texas Hill Country has triggered a remarkable turnaround for two of the region’s most important reservoirs: Medina and Canyon lakes.While residents continue to recover from devastating flooding, the dram...
Key takeaway The Edwards Aquifer is responding quickly, with the J-17 well in San Antonio rising 11 feet in just one week.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The sudden turnaround in lake levels at Medina and Canyon lakes has significant implications for Bexar County's water management and local economy. With Canyon Lake approaching full capacity, lakefront businesses and recreational users can expect a boost in activity, which could translate to increased revenue for the surrounding communities. The rapid rise in Medina Lake's water level is also a welcome relief for the Bexar-Medina-Atascosa Water Control and Improvement District, which relies on the lake for irrigation purposes. However, water experts' caution about the potential challenges posed by summer heat and irrigation demand serves as a reminder that long-term water management strategies are crucial to maintaining a stable water supply in the region. As the region continues to recover from the recent flooding, it will be important to monitor the lakes' water levels and the Edwards Aquifer's response to ensure that the gains made are sustained.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The San Antonio stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? After years of drought concerns and shrinking shorelines, recent historic rainfall across the Texas Hill Country has triggered a remarkable turnaround for two of the region’s most important reservoirs: Medina and Canyon lakes.While residents continue to recover from devastating flooding, the dram...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 18, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Shelby Ebertowski at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter