GUADALUPE COUNTY, Texas — State and local officials in charge of restoring Lake Dunlap are on a mission to brand the lake's road to recovery as an opportunity to improve the space for both residents and wildlife.

“The goal overall is just to come back, restore, enhance and preserve aquatic habitats. Bring Lake Dunlap back bigger and better than ever,” said Greg Binion of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The agency, along with the Greater Blanco River Authority, held a workshop last weekend to raise awareness on best practices to protect the lake once it returns to its former glory.

A spillway on Lake Dunlap collapsed in the summer of 2019, drying out the lake and leaving many homeowners dealing with the empty lake bed.

“When the lake receded from the dam failure, the water receded probably 200 to 300 feet from the original riverbank. So the boathouse and the dock and everything's high and dry,” said resident Keith Vogel.

Officials say the dry lake presented a rare opportunity to begin a range of infrastructure projects that will enable aquatic plant and animal life to thrive once the lake is replenished, though officials remained mum on a possible timeline for that. Among the projects are mossback habitat structures that promise to serve as a habitat for algaes and other native species.

Vogel, among others in attendance at the workshop, still has concerns. Wake boats further down the river are among them.

"They throw about a three to four foot high wake. And if you haven't sat on the bank and looked at the immense force of these waves against the bank, you have no idea what the damage is that's caused," said Vogel. He added that the infrastructure projects offered up by lake officials are well-intentioned but fall short of protecting the lake.

“I’m very skeptical that the solutions they've offered can stand up to the force of these waves,” said Vogel.

Still, area residents are hopeful the lake will soon return healthier than before.

“I think it's good to share the knowledge. I just would like to know everyone's opinion and come up with the best solution,” said Vogel.