Lake Dunlap

Lake Dunlap is a man-made body of water in Guadalupe County that extends along the Guadalupe River, offering water activities for visitors and residents. The water surface is held in place by a dam that blocks the river and defines the area with shorelines and access points.

The dam was built in 1931 to generate electrical energy and supplied power to surrounding towns for several decades. In 1963 the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority took over management of the structure and the reservoir.

The reservoir takes its name from John Dunlap, who once owned land along the Guadalupe River before the area was flooded. Today locals use the water for fishing and weekend outings, with the shoreline remaining mostly quiet.

Visitors will find a free public boat ramp at Interstate Highway 35 in New Braunfels for launching boats and kayaks. Weather in this region can be hot and humid, so an early morning or late afternoon visit works well.

In 2019 the dam collapsed unexpectedly and drained all the water, leaving the riverbed visible for months. The complete restoration in October 2023 refilled the reservoir and brought back the water body after the community funded repairs through taxes.