The state finally committed to a full sunset review of the BMA and long-overdue changes to our water management protocols. Seeing our lake get the protection it deserves feels like a miracle for my family and all the neighbors who have watched the water recede for years. We won this …
July 30, 2025
Final supporters
The undersigned asks that the State of Texas increase their oversight and control of the management of water from the Medina River and Medina Lake water shed through the following actions:
- Change Texas Water Code Law to make Drought Contingency and Water Conservation Plans enforceable.
- Establish a conservation level at 50% of the total capacity of the lake which will secure recharge of the Edwards Aquifer.
- Bring an end to municipal water users in San Antonio subsidizing the (Bexar Medina Atascosa Water Control and Improvement District #1) BMA.
- Replace BMA with a River Authority with professionally skilled personnel, tools/equipment and that know how to manage and operate Medina Lake and its dam to the benefit of all stakeholders.
- Put BMA under Sunset Review.
- Ensure qualified farmers in BMA’s district obtain water permits for wells, as needed, thereby securing water for irrigation also during drought conditions.
- Change BMA’s enabling act to require representation of all interests on their board.
Updates
Reached 2,500 supporters
July 19, 2025
June 19, 2025
I have been spending my evenings talking with folks who have watched this lake dry up for years and their stories only confirm why we cannot let this rest. The lack of accountability at the district level is hitting our community hard and it is clear that the current management is failing everyone who relies on this water. I am currently compiling all of your experiences to present to the state legislators so they understand the human cost of this neglect.
Reached 1,000 supporters
July 22, 2023
November 6, 2022
Seeing one hundred people recognize the desperate state of Medina Lake means everything to me because I grew up swimming in these waters. This is the first step toward protecting our drought-stricken home from further mismanagement.
Reached 100 supporters
November 3, 2022
568 Comments
Property taxes for those that own homes surrounding the dry lake area are not compensated during the drought period which can last 3-4 years. These taxes make up a good portion of the county's revenue for both Banderas and Medina. Presently, no board member display any signs of carrying.
There has got to be a better way for farmers to irrigate. The canal system was great in its day... But with today's technology there areuch more efficient and economical ways to irrigate and preserve our precious lake.
I live right above the dam and can hear the water flowing out when gates are open. BMA would open the gates and leave them wide open for days on end, even when it would be raining all over the county. WASTEFULNESS!!!
The minimum pool called for in the petition is too low (should be at lease 65% or more) and a drought contingency plan should also include a minimum river inflow before water can be removed from the lake
I've lived at Medina Lake 40 years & it is extremely sad the way SAWS take OUR water when they don't even need it. I moved here because the lake was beautiful & we retired here to enjoy it. I hate the fact they drain it & use it for no good reason!
Praying for this lake to be what it used to be.
Just watched a Youtube video on how inefficient the 312 mile canals are
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The state finally committed to a full sunset review of the BMA and long-overdue changes to our water management protocols. Seeing our lake get the protection it deserves feels like a miracle for my family and all the neighbors who have watched the water recede for years. We won this …
July 30, 2025
Final supporters
The undersigned asks that the State of Texas increase their oversight and control of the management of water from the Medina River and Medina Lake water shed through the following actions:
- Change Texas Water Code Law to make Drought Contingency and Water Conservation Plans enforceable.
- Establish a conservation level at 50% of the total capacity of the lake which will secure recharge of the Edwards Aquifer.
- Bring an end to municipal water users in San Antonio subsidizing the (Bexar Medina Atascosa Water Control and Improvement District #1) BMA.
- Replace BMA with a River Authority with professionally skilled personnel, tools/equipment and that know how to manage and operate Medina Lake and its dam to the benefit of all stakeholders.
- Put BMA under Sunset Review.
- Ensure qualified farmers in BMA’s district obtain water permits for wells, as needed, thereby securing water for irrigation also during drought conditions.
- Change BMA’s enabling act to require representation of all interests on their board.
Updates
Reached 2,500 supporters
July 19, 2025
June 19, 2025
I have been spending my evenings talking with folks who have watched this lake dry up for years and their stories only confirm why we cannot let this rest. The lack of accountability at the district level is hitting our community hard and it is clear that the current management is failing everyone who relies on this water. I am currently compiling all of your experiences to present to the state legislators so they understand the human cost of this neglect.
Reached 1,000 supporters
July 22, 2023
November 6, 2022
Seeing one hundred people recognize the desperate state of Medina Lake means everything to me because I grew up swimming in these waters. This is the first step toward protecting our drought-stricken home from further mismanagement.
Reached 100 supporters
November 3, 2022
568 Comments
There appears to be zero effort to be responsible for the Medina precious water resource. Over 12x the water “sold” must be released from the lake. Open air, dirt ditches have are incredibly wasteful. BMA is irresponsible and has no oversight.
Property taxes for those that own homes surrounding the dry lake area are not compensated during the drought period which can last 3-4 years. These taxes make up a good portion of the county's revenue for both Banderas and Medina. Presently, no board member display any signs of carrying.
There has got to be a better way for farmers to irrigate. The canal system was great in its day... But with today's technology there areuch more efficient and economical ways to irrigate and preserve our precious lake.
I live right above the dam and can hear the water flowing out when gates are open. BMA would open the gates and leave them wide open for days on end, even when it would be raining all over the county. WASTEFULNESS!!!
The minimum pool called for in the petition is too low (should be at lease 65% or more) and a drought contingency plan should also include a minimum river inflow before water can be removed from the lake
I've lived at Medina Lake 40 years & it is extremely sad the way SAWS take OUR water when they don't even need it. I moved here because the lake was beautiful & we retired here to enjoy it. I hate the fact they drain it & use it for no good reason!
Praying for this lake to be what it used to be.
Just watched a Youtube video on how inefficient the 312 mile canals are
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There appears to be zero effort to be responsible for the Medina precious water resource. Over 12x the water “sold” must be released from the lake. Open air, dirt ditches have are incredibly wasteful. BMA is irresponsible and has no oversight.