Texas Watershed Protection

Highland Lakes vs Canyon Lake - Why this matters

Canyon Lake is one of Texas’ major drinking water reservoirs, yet it lacks the watershed protections that the Highland Lakes have had for decades. As a result, high‑density developments can discharge treated wastewater directly into tributaries flowing into Canyon Lake — something that would be illegal upstream of Lakes Travis or Austin. This regulatory gap puts our water quality, our wells, and our future water bills at risk. We are asking the Legislature to extend the same protections to Canyon Lake that already exist for the Highland Lakes. 

Why was Canyon Lake excluded from these protections?

• Chapter 311 was written in the 1970s for the Highland Lakes.

• Canyon Lake was not included because Comal County was rural and sparsely populated at the time.

• Today, the situation has reversed — Canyon Lake now faces the growth pressures the Highland Lakes were protected from.

What This Means for You :

• Higher water bills

• Increased algae blooms

• More expensive filtration

• Risk to wells

• Loss of recreation quality

• Lower property values near affected coves

We are asking the Texas Legislature to extend Chapter 311‑style watershed protections to Canyon Lake.  

This would:

• Prevent direct wastewater discharges into Canyon Lake tributaries

• Protect drinking water quality

• Reduce future filtration costs for ratepayers

• Ensure consistent standards across Texas reservoirs

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Contact our legislators & our commissioner - let them know your concerns:

• Donna Campbell (state senator) - donna.campbell@senate.texas.gov

The Honorable Donna Campbell, P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station, Austin, TX 78711 

• • Joyce Yanuzzi (district director) - joyce.yanuzzi@senate.texas.gov

• Carrie Isaac (state representative) - carrie.isaac@house.texas.gov

Room E1.306, P.O. Box 12910, Austin, Texas 78711-2910 

• • Terry Franks (chief of staff) - terry.franks@house.texas.gov

• Jen Crownover (Pct 4 county commissioner) - jcrownover@comalcounty.gov

Submit letters to the editor in local newspapers expressing your concerns:

• San Antonio Express News - https://www.expressnews.com/projects/2026/letter-to-the-editor/

• New Braunfels Herald Zeitung - https://herald-zeitung.com/site/forms/online_services/letter/letter_editor_imported-1340211146/

• Austin American-Statesman - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyIsZdS58_WNcGJTe0jpNdBdNeA9BAXACorSKVCvVKp-S68A/viewform

Other:

• Engage with our local online newspaper, MyCanyonLake.com. Email the publisher at Stephanie@mycanyonlake.com with article ideas.

• Submit short human interest articles to Bulverde-Spring Branch Highlights. Email these to info@bsbhighlights.com.

• Share your concerns and experiences on social media.