Where Lake Medina used to be...

We are staying at Thousand Trails at Lake Medina, or where Lake Medina used to be. The lake is only 3.3% full at this time. We saw a photo book at the Activity Center that told about a flood that affected this campground in 2002. I saw a video of a longtime resident who said that they saw the lake rise 27 feet in one day some years ago when 18" of rain fell in Bandera, up-river from here. But, right now, there has been a severe drought for several years, and the lake bed is really low. It seems, though, that the lake was severely low like this in the 50s or 60s, and then it was flooding in 2002, so maybe it will be a lake with water in it again. However, it seems that there are areas downriver in San Antonio that are taking water from the reservoir even when it really doesn't have any to "give" - so maybe it will never be able to be a lake again.

Docks along the sides of the lake bed near the dam

What exists of the lake currently (near the dam)

Dwayne and I went walking down where the lake used to be at the campground - Dwayne is standing on a boat ramp

This is/used to be the fishing dock

Just below the fishing dock is a sign that cautions boaters to avoid making a wake... I don't think that would be a problem at this point though there do seem to be 4WD roads/paths through the lake bottom area

Fishing dock at the campground

Boat docks at the campground

Sun setting over the "lake"

Dwayne taking a picture of the sunset

"Fishing Dock Only - No Boats, No Loading"

An interesting document on the web: http://www.edwardsaquifer.net/medina.html

On Christmas Day, we drove a little ways down a road that left the campground near our campsite and headed off down through the lake area in the direction where the dam is. We probably only went a couple of miles before deciding to turn around and head back.

"Lake Medina Single-Track Road"

The Jeep hiding behind a tall grassy bush

Can you see Miss Daisy up there? Nope, I can't either (I think she is just to the right of the bright white triangle in the middle of the picture)