Best Canyon Lake Boat Ramps To Use Now

Canyon Lake, Texas, is known for its boating and sailing, among other attractions. However, as of October 2024, only one boat ramp, Ramp #18, was open to the public due to low water levels caused by a prolonged drought. This ramp was also closed on November 1, 2024, due to safety concerns, leaving only Ramp #19 at Canyon Lake Marina open, which is privately owned. Canyon Lake has 23 boat ramps in total, and the Army Corps of Engineers operates seven major parks on its shores, with several others managed by Comal County.

Boat Ramp #18 closed due to low water levels

As of November 1st, 2024, Boat Ramp #18 at Canyon Lake is closed to the public due to low water levels. Canyon Lake has been experiencing a prolonged drought, with water levels dropping to historically low levels. As a result, all 23 boat ramps on the lake have been closed, with Ramp #18 being the last one to shut down.

Water Levels Drop Below 883 Feet

On October 18th, 2024, the water level at Ramp #18 dropped to 883 feet, which is its listed low-water closure elevation. Despite this, the ramp remained open with a warning of "use at your own risk" due to it being the last accessible ramp at Canyon Lake. However, as water levels continued to drop, the ramp was eventually closed on November 1st.

Safety Concerns

The Water Oriented Recreation District of Comal County (WORD) monitored the water and concrete ramp conditions daily after the water level reached the low-water closure elevation. They noted that there was less than 14 feet of concrete ramp remaining with a severe drop-off at the end, making it unsafe for launching any watercraft. The district expressed their concern for the safety of the public and made the difficult decision to close the ramp completely.

Future Plans

While Ramp #18 is currently closed, there is a possibility that it may reopen in the future. The district has stated that they will consider reopening the ramp for public use if the lake rises during the fall or winter seasons. This would depend on more water entering the lake from the Guadalupe River and increased rainfall.

Impact of Drought Conditions

The closure of Boat Ramp #18 highlights the ongoing challenges posed by the drought conditions in South Texas. Canyon Lake, in particular, has been significantly affected, with water levels steadily dropping and the lake being nearly half empty. This has had a direct impact on recreational activities and the accessibility of the lake for boat owners and visitors.

In summary, Boat Ramp #18 at Canyon Lake was closed to the public due to low water levels caused by prolonged drought conditions. The closure was a safety precaution, and there is a possibility of reopening if water levels rise in the future. The situation underscores the impact of drought on water resources and recreational activities in the region.

Canyon Lake Marina Ramp #19 is privately owned

Canyon Lake is a stunning lake in Central Texas, offering boating, water skiing, kayaking, fishing, scuba diving, helicopter tours, parasailing, hiking, dining, and shopping. It is located just forty miles north of San Antonio and twenty-five miles west of New Braunfels and San Marcos. The lake boasts eight Corps of Engineer Public Parks, 23 boat ramps, two marinas, campgrounds, a golf course, a country club, and a yacht club.

Canyon Lake has been facing challenging drought conditions since 2020, with water levels dropping to historic lows. This has resulted in the closure of many boat ramps, impacting access to the lake for boat owners. As of October 2024, only one boat ramp, Ramp #18 in Canyon Park, remained open to the public, but it also closed on November 1st due to safety concerns.

The good news is that Comal County is working on extending three boat ramps (Ramps 2, 7, and 8) and making improvements to several others. These extensions will make it much easier to access the lake in future drought situations. Canyon Lake Marina Ramp #19 will likely be one of the first ramps to reopen when the lake levels recover. In the meantime, boat owners are urged to exercise caution and stay updated with the latest information on ramp closures and openings.

Comal County extends three boat ramps

Comal County is extending three boat ramps at Canyon Lake, which is good news for boat owners and lakefront residents. The county is taking advantage of the lake being at a historic low to carry out this work.

Boat Ramp 2 will be extended by 25 feet, and six non-trailer parking spaces will be added, along with additional space for boat launch. Boat Ramp 7 will be extended by up to 100 feet, and Boat Ramp 8 will be extended by up to 75 feet.

Canyon Lake has 23 boat ramps, eight Corps of Engineer Public Parks, two marinas, campgrounds, a golf course, country club, and yacht club. The lake has a surface area of 8,230 acres and 80 miles of shoreline. An entrance and/or boat ramp fee is charged at most parks.

In addition to the extensions, Comal County is also making improvements to other boat ramps. Boat Ramp 1 will have its existing USACE lease increased by 0.422 acres, adding 20 non-trailer parking spaces. Boat Ramp 5 will also have its USACE lease increased, by 0.415 acres, to allow for the installation of a boat with a trailer turnaround, and 15 non-trailer parking spaces will be added.

As of October 2024, only one boat ramp, Ramp 18, was open to the public, and it closed on November 1st due to low water levels and safety concerns. Canyon Lake is suffering from a prolonged drought, with levels dropping to 883 feet on October 18th, and continuing to fall.

Ramp 18 in Canyon Park is no longer safe

As of November 1st, 2024, Ramp 18 in Canyon Park has been closed due to safety concerns. Canyon Lake has been experiencing a prolonged drought, causing the lake's water levels to drop significantly. On October 18th, the lake level reached 883 feet, the ramp's low-water closure elevation, and by October 30th, it had dropped even further to 882.42/882.44 feet. This left less than 14 feet of concrete ramp remaining, with a severe drop-off at the end, making it unsafe for launching any watercraft.

The Water Oriented Recreation District of Comal County (WORD) had been monitoring the ramp's conditions daily and kept it accessible with a warning of "use at your own risk" until November 1st. However, with the continued drought and low water levels, the difficult decision was made to close the ramp completely for the safety of the public.

Canyon Lake has 23 boat ramps in total, and Ramp 18 was the last publicly accessible ramp before its closure. The prolonged drought has severely impacted the lake, and Ramp 18 is no longer safe for watercraft launch due to the significant drop in water levels. This closure highlights the severity of the drought's impact on the lake and the surrounding area.

The closure of Ramp 18 in Canyon Park has had a significant impact on the community, as it was the last publicly accessible boat ramp on Canyon Lake. With Ramp 18 no longer safe for use, boaters and lake enthusiasts have been unable to access the lake easily. This has not only affected recreational activities but also the local businesses and the economy that relies on the lake for tourism and revenue. The drought conditions have been challenging for the region, and the closure of Ramp 18 has further exacerbated these challenges.

However, there is a glimmer of hope for the future. The Water Oriented Recreation District of Comal County (WORD) has stated that they will consider reopening Ramp 18 if the lake levels rise. This commitment provides a ray of optimism for the community, as it indicates that the situation is not permanent and that there is a possibility for improvement. In the meantime, efforts are being made to extend and improve other boat ramps around the lake, ensuring that when the water levels recover, Canyon Lake will be even more accessible and resilient in the face of future droughts.

The Army Corps of Engineers operates seven parks

Canyon Lake in Texas has been facing worsening drought conditions since 2020, with lake levels reaching historic lows. In October 2024, only one boat ramp, Ramp #18 in Canyon Park, remained open to the public. However, due to low water levels, this ramp presented challenges and was labelled "use at your own risk". Subsequently, Ramp #18 was also closed to the public on November 1, 2024, along with Canyon Park, as part of its normal end-of-season schedule.

The Army Corps of Engineers operates seven major parks on the shores of Canyon Lake, with several others managed by Comal County. These parks provide a range of amenities, including campgrounds, beaches, picnic areas, boat ramps, and opportunities for shoreline fishing. Canyon Lake, a popular recreational destination, offers a variety of activities such as boating, water skiing, kayaking, fishing, and scuba diving.

One of the key challenges faced by Canyon Lake is the prolonged drought, which has resulted in evaporating water levels. This has had a significant impact on boat ramp accessibility. The Water Oriented Recreation District of Comal County (WORD) has been actively monitoring the situation, providing updates and warnings to the public regarding the usage of the ramps.

In response to the drought conditions, Comal County is taking action to improve access to the lake during future droughts. They are currently working on extending three boat ramps—Ramps 2, 7, and 8—which will greatly benefit boat owners and lakefront residents. These extensions will make it easier to launch boats and provide additional parking spaces.

Additionally, there are updates and improvements being made to other boat ramps around Canyon Lake. Ramp 1, for instance, will see an increase in parking spaces, while Ramp 5 will have a turnaround area installed for boats with trailers, along with additional parking spaces. These enhancements aim to improve the overall boating experience and accessibility to Canyon Lake.

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