Canyon Lake, Reservoir in Comal County, Texas, US

Canyon Lake is a reservoir in Comal County, Texas, created by damming the Guadalupe River near New Braunfels and covering roughly 8 200 acres of water surface. The lake reaches a maximum depth of around 134 feet and sits in rolling hill country with wooded shorelines and several protected coves.

Canyon Dam was built starting in 1958 following federal approval for flood control and completed in the mid-1960s. The water reached its normal operating level in 1968, permanently changing the landscape of the region.

Canyon Lake takes its name from the drowned canyon of the Guadalupe River, and the flooded towns of Hancock and Crane's Mill lie beneath its surface. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers runs eight park areas for camping, swimming, boating and picnicking, with bank fishing in all of them and a fishing dock at Cranes Mill Park. Comal County maintains public boat ramps, and two marinas rent boats and jet skis.

Several public access points and boat ramps provide entry to different parts of the lake for swimming, fishing, and water sports. The water can be busy during summer months, while fall and spring offer quieter conditions.

A record flood in July 2002 exceeded the spillway capacity and carved Canyon Lake Gorge through erosion, creating a new geological formation. This unexpected gorge exposed rock layers millions of years old and now offers insights into the geological history of the region.