The Water Source: Aug. 6, 2026
Recent rainfall has brought welcome relief across the region and generated many questions about Canyon Lake, drought stages and what changing lake conditions mean for water supplies. In this edition, we answer some of the most common questions we receive and provide an update on the Park Shores Permanent Intake Project on Canyon Lake.
Drought Season FAQ
Q: If Canyon Lake is 100% full, why haven't the drought stages changed?
A: While Canyon Lake has returned to full pool, Texas Water Company receives a fixed allocation of water from the lake. Our water supply allocation remains the same percentage of the reservoir regardless of the lake's elevation.
Drought stages are not based solely on current lake levels. When evaluating drought responses and conservation measures, we consider long-term water supply planning, customer demand, regional conditions and the responsible management of available water resources. While recent rainfall and improved lake levels are positive developments, conservation remains an important part of ensuring a reliable water supply for the future.
Q: Does a full lake mean there is no longer a need for water conservation?
A: No. Water conservation is an important year-round practice that helps protect water resources, reduce demand on infrastructure and support long-term water supply reliability. Using water efficiently helps ensure dependable service during both wet and dry conditions.
Q: Why do drought stages sometimes remain in place after significant rainfall?
A: Drought conditions can develop over months or years and may take time to fully recover. Water management decisions consider more than a single rainfall event and are designed to support long-term reliability, not just current conditions.
Q: What are some of the best ways to conserve water during the summer?
A: You can conserve water by:
- Checking irrigation systems regularly for leaks or broken sprinkler heads.
- Avoiding watering sidewalks and driveways.
- Using mulch around plants to help retain moisture.
- Repairing household leaks promptly.
- Running full loads in dishwashers and washing machines whenever possible.
Project Update: Park Shores Permanent Intake Project
Construction continues on the Park Shores Permanent Intake Project on the south side of Canyon Lake, an important infrastructure investment that will enhance operational flexibility and support reliable water delivery under a wide range of lake conditions.
Throughout the recent flood event, Texas Water Company's operations, engineering and construction teams worked together to maintain uninterrupted service while adapting to rapidly changing lake levels and protecting critical infrastructure.
Construction is underway, and crews continue making progress on the installation of the permanent intake. The project remains on schedule, and we anticipate placing the new intake into service before the end of the year.
This project is part of our ongoing commitment to investing in infrastructure that supports system reliability and helps ensure dependable service for our customers.
We appreciate the continued interest in this project and look forward to sharing additional updates as construction progresses.
Thank you for taking the time to stay informed. TWC remains committed to investing in infrastructure, maintaining reliable service, and keeping customers informed about projects and operational updates across our system.
We look forward to sharing more updates in the next edition of The Water Source. Previous editions and additional customer resources can be found on our website.