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Welcome To The FOLM Website
Friends of Lake McQueeney (FOLM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of Lake McQueeney, Texas, for the enjoyment of all those who live, work, and play on it's waters.
This site is primarily designed for our members to access information and news about FOLM and the Lake, contact board members, and find useful links to other sites that may be helpful.
You can join or renew your membership online: Click Here
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Annual FOLM Membership Meeting is Saturday, June 15th, at the McQueeney Lions Club.
Please plan to attend. Get the latest news, meet your neighbors, elect your FOLM Board.
Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) officials have announced Stage II restrictions
According to the river authority's Drought Contingency Plan, Stage II applies on any day following a day when the average 24-hour spring flow rate from the Comal Springs, when measured at the Comal River, is at or below 200 cubic feet per second (cfs), but greater than 150 cfs. As of Monday, June 8, 2011, Comal Springs flow rate was 198 cfs, thus triggering Stage II restrictions.
These restrictions apply to water pumped from the Lake only. Check with your water supplier for restrictions on tap water.
With Stage II in effect, the following restrictions on the Hydro Lakes will apply:
1.) All of the prohibitions applicable in Stage I apply in Stage II, except to the extent replaced by more restrictive conditions imposed by this stage.
2.) Landscape watering is prohibited between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., and is further restricted such that properties with an odd-numbered address may landscape water only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and properties with an even-numbered address may landscape water only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. However, landscape watering by means of a bucket or hand-held or soaker hose, or a properly installed drip irrigation system is permitted at any time. This subsection does not apply to reclaimed, recycled or reuse water.
3.) No person may use water for an ornamental outdoor fountain or similar feature, unless the water is recycled and the only additional water used is to compensate for evaporative losses.
4.) No person may wash a vehicle at other than a commercial vehicle wash facility except over a pervious surface area, during the above designated watering days and times with a hand-hose with automatic shut-off nozzle or using a bucket.
The penalty for wasting water or any violation of Stage II restrictions as determined by the GBRA general manager, or his designee, is $100 per day per violation.
Restrictions from Stage I already prohibited wasting water from irrigation or vehicle washing, and required the use of covers for swimming pools to prevent evaporation when not in use.
Slow Down For Police Boats With Flashing Lights
There seems to be wide spread lack of knowledge regarding a relatively new boating law. It reads as follows:
"Sec. 31.123. REQUIRED RESPONSE TO POLICE WATER SAFETY VESSEL. The operator of a vessel underway, on sighting a rotating or flashing blue beacon light, shall reduce power immediately and bring the vessel to a no-wake speed and subsequent stop until the intention of the water safety vessel is understood."
It the same as slowing down on the highway when a Trooper has a vehicle stopped.
This protects the safety of the officers and the occupants of the stopped boat, plus the potential for damage to the vessels. When a boat is stopped and another boat comes by causing even a small wake, boats bounce together with a potential for injury and/or damage.
This is common courtesy. Please note and adhere to this statute. You or your children may be the ones involved. Please protect all personnel and watercraft involved..
Notice: GBRA Now Requires Permit For Stump/Tree Removal
If you wish to cut stumps from the water in the vicinity of your property,
check out the new GBRA guidelines and permit requirements here:Stump Removal Guidelines/Process
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Krueger Canyon Dam Flood Retention Structure Complete
The flood retention dam across Dry Comal Creek in Comal County is substantially complete. This is the latest of 5 flood retardation structures on the Dry Comal Creek built for the purpose of taking the peak off of flood events by storing water and releasing the impounded water over several days. Combined, they will temporarily impound about 21,971 acre feet of water. They will help with flash flooding peaks that come out of the steep hills in the Dry Comal Creek drainage area, which is extensive. It then flows into the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels and impacts everyone downstream in the river basin. Here are some interesting stats:
Construction Cost: $20,000,000 (Approximate)
Easement Cost (83.027 Ac.): $0
Drainage Area: 3,590 Acres
Dam Height: 85 Feet
Dam Length: 1,500 Feet
Volume of Fill: 69,912 Cubic Yards
Storage: 2,880 Acre-Feet
Surface Area: 120 Acres
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Think You Know If Someone Is Drowning When You See It?
Maybe Not!
Check Out This Article For Revealing Information.
NBU Permits Include Nutrient Limits
Thanks to our outstanding working relationship with New Braunfels Utility (NBU), and based on their latest permit from the Texas Commission On Environmental Quality (TCEQ), they are making modifications to their two Kuehler waste water treatment plants that will lower the Phosphate levels below 3.0 and most of the time they will be closer to 2.0. This will help with the water quality coming downstream from Lake Dunlap. This improved treatment should be operational by Sept.-Oct.
After receiving new permits from TCEQ, they will also begin construction on a new waste water treatment plant on the Highway 46 side of the river just below Lake Dunlap Dam. This new plant will handle the growth on the east side of the river where major developments are taking place on the IH 35 corridor. This plant will take at least three years to come on-line but it will meet strict water quality standards with very clean effluent.
Go to our NBU Wastewater News page for more information CLICK HERE.
Public Boat Ramp Status
Every week we get emails asking about the boat ramp situation on the Lake. Since the closing of McQueeney Marina, there are currently NO public ramps or private, fee based boat ramps on Lake McQueeney. While the Lake is a public waterway, the State has not provided public access. Existing boat ramps are either those that are maintained by various subdivisions for their residents use or other ramps on private property. GBRA is looking at the situation in conjunction other state agencies as they develop their Lake Management Plan. We will post any updates on changes they institute as they occur. FOLM is not a governmental agency and has no authority regarding the opening or maintaining of boat ramps. Inquiries should be directed to GBRA and/or Texas Parks and Wildlife.
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FOLM partners with the Guadalupe Basin Coalition in Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program (EARIP)
Click Here for more about FOLM’s active role in protecting the aquifer, our springs, river flow, and water sources.
See latest news about the US Fish and Wildlife approval of plans.
This will be one of the most important issues we deal with in the coming years.
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Do You Move Your Boat To And From Different Lakes?
What you can’t see can damage your boat and harm Texas lakes.
Zebra mussels are an invasive species that produce millions of microscopic larvae that can hide in your boat. Adults reach 1 ½ inches and attach to your boat’s motor, hull and to other hard surfaces. Zebra mussels can seriously hamper your boat’s performance and are devastating to our native plants, fish and wildlife. They also threaten our water supply.
Watch this short video to learn how you save your boat and our lakes by preventing the spread of zebra mussels when you properly clean, drain and dry your boat, trailer and gear.
Hello Zebra Mussels. Goodbye Texas Lakes.
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Remember GBRA Watercraft Rules and Regulations
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The rules and regulations to the right were passed during the March 22, 2006 Guadalupe- Blanco River Authority’s Board of Directors meeting. Representatives from theTexas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office and Lake- Wide Associations met with GBRA staff to consider regulations to enhance water safety regarding the equipment and operation of towed or pulled recreation devices; and to discuss water-safety issues in general. A Resolution was drafted and reviewed by the TPWD, Sheriff’s Office and the Lake-Wide Associations before being presented to the GBRA Board. The GBRA Resolution establishes rules and regulations for the equipment and operation of certain recreational devices referred to as and Regulations For Lake Dunlap, Lake McQueeney, Lake Placid, Lake Nolte (Meadow Lake), Lake H-4 (Lake Gonzales) and Lake H-5 (Lake Wood) in Comal, Guadalupe and Gonzales counties.
Special Traffic Rules For Treasure Island Bridge
GBRA has also established “traffic lanes” under the Treasure Island Bridge. Click the link below to see the map that shows the “lanes” for boats and PWCs passing under the bridge. Any jet ski (PWC) passing under the bridge will be at a no wake speed. Signage will also be posted on the bridge to designate lanes.
Fishing, stopping or anchoring within 100 feet of the bridge is prohibited. The towing of tubes or other inflatables is prohibited under the bridge.
See Map of Traffic Lanes
GBRA's Resolution plus other Resolutions currently in place can be found on the GBRA website, www.gbra.org, under Lake Management.
Note: GBRA has restricted traffic upstream by PWC's (jet skis and wave runners) from the powerhouse across from the Bandit to the Dunlap Dam. See here for more details.
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- Fixed Ramps, Rails Prohibited
The installation of fixed ramps, rails, or other devices for the use of riding or sliding with a wake-board is prohibited.
- Wakesurfing Prohibited
The use of a motor powered boat or PWC to create a wake for use of a surfboard will be classified as a hazardous wake, and is prohibited. It is the intent of this restriction to recognize the limited size and narrow features of the referenced lakes, and the destructive shoreline affect resulting from a hazardous wake that is required for surfing.
- Hazardous Wake Prohibited
The intentional use, modification, or operation of a motor powered boat or PWC to create a wake will be classified as a hazardous wake if the wake exceeds the level necessary for utilization for recreation, or causes a wave action that will damage shoreline property and is prohibited.
- Towing or Pulling of Inflatables
A motor powered boat or PWC towing or pulling of an inflatable device, or other devise known as a “water-toy” herein referred to as “inflatable” that is attached by rope or other method to a motor powered boat or PWC must be operated so that the motor powered boat or PWC AND the “inflatable” maintain a minimum distance of 50 feet from another vessel, the shoreline, or a fixed structure at all times, except when operating at head-way speed. This regulation does not apply to an operator or individual pulling or towing a skier or wake-boarder utilizing a hand-held rope or lanyard.
Violations of these regulations is a Class C misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of $25 to $500.
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Click on the links to the left or above to explore the site. If you have any suggestions for useful additions to this site, please go to:
Contact FOLM
Have some fun pictures (old or new) you want to share?
If they are related to Lake McQueeney, contact Rick Thelen via the contact page. We will try to put new pictures on the site from time to time to keep it interesting.
email address:
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