Bandera County River Authority & Groundwater District

Quarterly Board Meeting – Thursday April 17, 2025. See the meetings and postings pages for more information.

Bandera County

River Authority &
Groundwater District

Drought Status:  Exceptional

Medina Lake

Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District

Nonpoint Source Pollution Initiative

Medina Lake is utilized as a source of drinking water for San Antonio and riparian residents. In the last few years, there has been an increase in population in the surrounding areas, and water recreation has grown in popularity. BCRAGD began the Nonpoint Source Initiative as a survey of Medina Lake’s waters to identify any potential nonpoint source pollution, and/or potential health risks to the public. 

9 Medina Lake coves will be sampled for the presence of fecal coliforms and E. coli in conjunction with other water quality monitoring that is currently taking place on Medina Lake, including the In-House water quality study and the Clean Rivers Program. Results were compiled into a report on August 17, 2018, which can be found in the link below.
9 Medina Lake coves will be sampled for the presence of fecal coliforms and E. coli in conjunction with other water quality monitoring that is currently taking place on Medina Lake, including the In-House water quality study and the Clean Rivers Program. Results were compiled into a report on August 17, 2018, which can be found in the link below.
BCRAGD hopes to expand sampling to other nonpoint source pollutants such as caffeine, prescription drugs, and other chemical compounds introduced to surface waters by humans through partnership with USGS and San Antonio River Authority. These efforts will aid in the protection and preservation of the resource for the people of our community and downstream communities who utilize the waters of the Medina every day.
If you have any questions regarding the Nonpoint Source Initiative, contact us during regular business hours.
Please visit the https://www.banderacounty.org/services/MedinaLakePark.htm Webpage for park hours and contact information.

Zebra Mussels Update

On March 16, 2021, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) designated Medina Lake as “positive” with the invasive species, Zebra Mussels. The first sighting in Medina Lake was on February 11, 2021, by a member of the community who contacted TPWD for verification. Shortly after this, TPWD conducted their own searches and located at least 1 more Zebra Mussel. BCRAGD also conducted a search on February 24, 2021, locating a single Zebra Mussel.
BCRAGD has partnered with TPWD to continue monitoring Medina Lake for further spread of zebra mussels. This is done through both plankton sampling for the larval stages of the zebra mussels and through the deployment of settlement samplers in strategic locations on the lake.
If you have detected the presence of zebra mussels, please contact our office at (830) 796-7260.