	Home Useful Links Safety Guide Flood Preparedness NBU Wastewater News Water Issues (EARIP) Annual Meeting Minutes July 4th Boat Parade Hydrilla Alert Watch for These Plants Beneficial Plants Area Map About FOLM Contact FOLM FOLM Board Join FOLM

Welcome To The FOLM Website

Friends of Lake McQueeney (FOLM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of Lake McQueeney, Texas, for the enjoyment of all those who live, work, and play on our Lake.

This site is primarily designed for our members to access information and news about FOLM and the Lake, contact board members, and find useful links to other sites that may be helpful.

Safety Alert:

Recently there was a Jet Ski pulling four young adults on a tube on Lake Placid. While making a 180° turn, the occupants were thrown into a dock resulting in three being airlifted to hospitals in San Antonio. We see similar accidents on our lake every year.

In another incident on Sunday, 6/28, a 17-year-old from San Antonio was air-lifted to University Hospital in San Antonio following an accident on Lake Placid. Texas Game Wardens Kevin Frazier and Tracy Large say that the teen was on a wake board being pulled by a boat when the boat swung too wide in a narrow portion of the lake, propelling the teen into a dock pole. The teen was flown via Air Life to San Antonio to be treated for his injuries.

Please use extreme caution. Be sure and review our Safety Guide (link to left).

Check Your Flood Insurance

Recent actions by Guadalupe County has resulted in a 10% reduction in our Flood Insurance in high risk areas. When you get your renewal notice, contact your Insurance Company and insure they are aware of this change. Make sure they use our County code not a Zip Code.

4th of July Coming Up

The July 4th Boat Parade is a long tradition on Lake McQueeney. However, the loosely organized Boat Parade has become increasingly dangerous. Please note that FOLM is NOT the sponsor of this parade, and to our knowledge there is no sponsor. In recent years there have been injuries by those throwing water balloons hitting unsuspecting bystanders, both in boats and on the shore. There were several reports last year of some throwing frozen water balloons. This is not only stupid and dangerous, but is a prosecutable offense. Many of our members feel this event has gotten out of hand and is not only ruining the parade, but is resulting in injuries. Do not throw water balloons at non participants and do not use high-powered sling-shot devices. Use common sense. Note that the balloon debris can stay in the lake for months and is dangerous for wildlife and fish. Educate your children. Game Wardens and Sheriff’s personnel will be watching closely and will take appropriate action.
We encourage everyone to return to the original theme of creatively decorating boats for the holiday and join the fun.

Traditionally, those participating gather at Las Brisas around 2 pm.

Fireworks Restrictions

Official Guadalupe County Rules: Ground fireworks – firecracker, smoke bombs, cones, etc. – are permitted July 1st – 4th. Aerial fireworks such as mortars, rockets, missiles, roman candles, etc. are banned this season except for municipal type displays conducted by a licensed pyrotechnic expert with prior approval from the County Judge.

FOLM partners with the Guadalupe Basin Coalition in Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program (EARIP)

Click Here for more about FOLM’s active role in protecting the aquifer, our springs, river flow, and water sources.
This will be one of the most important issues we deal with in the coming years.

	Your FOLM At Work Steve Butrym and Jim Wolfington recently went out with Malcolm Johnson, who scours the lake regularly to find any unwanted, non-native, noxious weeds that might invade our lake on a large scale. Finding the weeds in the early stages makes it easier to apply to GBRA for methods to control them.
	During times of lighter boat traffic and normal water flows, there is time to remove a few obstacles from the river. This large tree (left) was 30 ft. long and was located in the Woodlake area. The tree to the right was a hazard near the old Hotshot property. It was towed to the Ski Lodge ramp, dragged out, cut up and removed. Special thanks to Bobby Stringer, who volunteers to monitor tree removal activities. This type of activity would not be possible without the great support of FOLM members. THE RIVER THANKS YOU!

FOLM Contributes Toward McQueeney VFD Rescue Boat

See Seguin Gazette Story

Remember GBRA Watercraft Rules and Regulations

The rules and regulations to the right were passed during the March 22, 2006 Guadalupe- Blanco River Authority’s Board of Directors meeting. Representatives from theTexas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office and Lake- Wide Associations met with GBRA staff to consider regulations to enhance water safety regarding the equipment and operation of towed or pulled recreation devices; and to discuss water-safety issues in general. A Resolution was drafted and reviewed by the TPWD, Sheriff’s Office and the Lake-Wide Associations before being presented to the GBRA Board. The GBRA Resolution establishes rules and regulations for the equipment and operation of certain recreational devices referred to as and Regulations For Lake Dunlap, Lake McQueeney, Lake Placid, Lake Nolte (Meadow Lake), Lake H-4 (Lake Gonzales) and Lake H-5 (Lake Wood) in Comal, Guadalupe and Gonzales counties.

Special Traffic Rules For Treasure Island Bridge

GBRA has also established “traffic lanes” under the Treasure Island Bridge. Click the link below to see the map that shows the “lanes” for boats and PWCs passing under the bridge. Any jet ski (PWC) passing under the bridge will be at a no wake speed. Signage will also be posted on the bridge to designate lanes.

Fishing, stopping or anchoring within 100 feet of the bridge is prohibited. The towing of tubes or other inflatables is prohibited under the bridge.

See Map of Traffic Lanes

GBRA's Resolution plus other Resolutions currently in place can be found on the GBRA website, www.gbra.org, under Lake Management.
- Fixed Ramps, Rails Prohibited
The installation of fixed ramps, rails, or other devices for the use of riding or sliding with a wake-board is prohibited.
- Wakesurfing Prohibited
The use of a motor powered boat or PWC to create a wake for use of a surfboard will be classified as a hazardous wake, and is prohibited. It is the intent of this restriction to recognize the limited size and narrow features of the referenced lakes, and the destructive shoreline affect resulting from a hazardous wake that is required for surfing.

- Hazardous Wake Prohibited
The intentional use, modification, or operation of a motor powered boat or PWC to create a wake will be classified as a hazardous wake if the wake exceeds the level necessary for utilization for recreation, or causes a wave action that will damage shoreline property and is prohibited.

- Towing or Pulling of Inflatables
A motor powered boat or PWC towing or pulling of an inflatable device, or other devise known as a “water-toy” herein referred to as “inflatable” that is attached by rope or other method to a motor powered boat or PWC must be operated so that the motor powered boat or PWC AND the “inflatable” maintain a minimum distance of 50 feet from another vessel, the shoreline, or a fixed structure at all times, except when operating at head-way speed. This regulation does not apply to an operator or individual pulling or towing a skier or wake-boarder utilizing a hand-held rope or lanyard.

Violations of these regulations is a Class C misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of $25 to $500.

Good News About Flood Control Dams
Comal County officials expect to begin construction soon on a new flood retention structure near Solms. The Bleiders Creek control structure is credited with reducing the severity of the 1998 flood by up to 30%. It is expected that this new dam and several more proposed will have a similar additional benefit. This will be county’s first new flood control dam since 1981. Comal officials deserve a "well done" for staying with this project.

Update: Retention Dam Goes Out For Bids (Feb/2009):
After more than 10 years since the 1998 flood, with bids now sent out to contractors, Comal County Commissioners hope to begin construction within three months on the estimated $12 million safeguard against future disaster. The map (left) shows the existing and proposed structures. It is expected to take about 18 months to construct.
See Newspaper Article For Details

McQueeney Marina Closes

As you boat around the lake, you have, no doubt, noticed all the activity at the McQueeney Marina property on Terminal Loop. This long time RV park and campground has been purchased and apparently new homes will soon be going up. One side effect of the all this activity is the closing of the boat ramp at the site. Keep this in mind should you need to trailer a boat in or out of the lake. We will try to update new developments as we hear about them.
For Austin Hydrilla Information:

Read the latest hydrilla news from Austin TV8

Details Of Flood Siren Program

Check Here For News About The NBU Wastewater Fight

Click on the links to the left or above to explore the site. If you have any suggestions for useful additions to this site, please go to:
Contact FOLM

Have some fun pictures (old or new) you want to share?

If they are related to Lake McQueeney, contact Rick Thelen via the contact page. We will try to put new pictures on the site from time to time to keep it interesting.

email address:

Friends of Lake McQueeney • P.O. Box 781, McQueeney, Texas, 78123