Medina Lake reached its highest level in years Wednesday as heavy rainfall from last week's flooding continued to replenish the long-struggling reservoir.
The lake climbed to 27.9% of conservation capacity, according to Water Data for Texas.
Its mean water level rose from 998.99 feet on July 15 to 1,019.85 feet on July 22 — an increase of more than 20 feet in one week.
Conservation storage also more than doubled during that period, increasing from 32,759 acre-feet to 71,107 acre-feet.
The dramatic rise comes after Medina Lake spent years at historically low levels following prolonged drought.
Mandatory evacuation orders in the City of Bandera were lifted Friday, July 17, allowing residents to return to local RV parks after floodwaters along the Medina River began to recede.
Recreationalists took to the Medina Lake last week following its rise to levels not seen in years. As of Wednesday, the lake is sitting at 27.9 percent capacity. BULLETIN PHOTO/ Veronica Rector
Bandera County Emergency Management Coordinator Judy Lefevers said the county was fortunate to avoid the loss of life experienced elsewhere in the Texas Hill Country.
'We are very blessed,' Lefevers said.
The Medina River at the Texas 173 South gauge crested at 15.86 feet Thursday evening before steadily falling as floodwaters moved downstream.
Although conditions have improved, Bandera County Emergency Management is asking residents and property owners who sustained damage during the July 12 flooding and severe weather to complete a damage report through the Texas Division of Emergency Management's Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool, or iSTAT.
'This is vital to our response efforts, understanding the scope of need, and possible recovery funding in our area,' the agency said in a statement.
Damage reports can be submitted online at damage. tdem.texas.gov.
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