Blanco River at Wimberley
Texas — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Hays County, Texas on the Blanco River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 08171000, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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Flood Stages
Major Flood
26 ft
67,437 cfs
Moderate Flood
17 ft
22,762 cfs
Minor Flood
13 ft
12,269 cfs
Action Stage
10 ft
6,247 cfs
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
38 ft
The Highway 12 bridge becomes overtopped and is impassable. Disastrous life threatening flooding will flood hundreds of homes and businesses in and near Wimberley in the Blanco River and Cypress Creek flood plains. Many homes flood severely downstream in the lower Blanco and San Marcos River flood plains near San Marcos. This level will reach lower rural homes in the flood plain above Blanco to below San Marcos and can trap and drown hundreds of livestock. Roads near the river are extremely dangerous.
35 ft
Flood waters reach the base of the bridge on Highway 12.
31 ft
Disastrous life threatening flooding will flood over a hundred homes and businesses in and near Wimberley in the Blanco River and Cypress Creek flood plains. Many homes flood severely downstream in the lower Blanco and San Marcos River flood plains near San Marcos. This level will reach lower rural homes in the flood plain above Blanco to below San Marcos and can trap and drown hundreds of livestock. Roads near the river are extremely dangerous.
29 ft
Many lowest homes in the Blanco River flood plain near Wimberley flood. Lowest homes and businesses in the Cypress Creek flood plain flood by backwater from the Blanco River and any runoff down Cypress Creek. Lowland flooding downstream in the lower Blanco and San Marcos Rivers severely floods lowest homes, roads and bridges near San Marcos. Livestock in the Blanco River flood plain above Blanco to the San Marcos River confluence are cut off and potentially drowned.
26 ft
Major flooding impacts several lowest homes on the Blanco River near Wimberley. Homes along Cypress Creek near Wimberley also are threatened by the Blanco River backwater and any flow down Cypress Creek. Major flooding of the lower Blanco River in northeast San Marcos floods lowest homes and inundates roads and low bridges with several feet of water near the river making them extremely dangerous. Livestock are cut off and potentially drowned.
25 ft
Flow approaches lowest homes near Wimberley. Widespread lowland flooding can cut off low areas of the flood plain drowning livestock. Homes along Cypress Creek near Wimberley are threatened. As the Blanco River backs up Cypress Creek additional runoff down Cypress Creek can easily flood homes. Roads near the lower Blanco River in northeast San Marcos flood severely. Water approaches the lowest homes in that area. Livestock are cut off and potentially drowned.
21 ft
Water recreation is very dangerous above Blanco to the San Marcos River confluence, including John Knox Camp and Dudley Johnson Park at Five Mile Dam above San Marcos. Secondary roads and bridges in the flood plain are very dangerous to motorists. Hydraulic jumps behind low dams are dangerous to canoeists and kayakers as they may become trapped.
17 ft
Water recreation in the Blanco river is dangerous from above Blanco to the San Marcos river confluence. Secondary roads and bridges in the flood plain are flooded and dangerous. Much of Dudley Johnson park at Five Mile Dam is flooded.
13 ft
Minor lowland flooding reaches secondary roads. Low bridges and crossings from the headwaters to the San Marcos River confluence near San Marcos flood and are dangerous. Property in low lying areas of the Blanco and San Marcos Rivers should be moved to higher ground. Swimming and tubing are life threatening due to turbulence. Hydraulic jumps behind low water dams can trap canoeists and kayakers between the dam and the hydraulic jump and can be life threatening.
10 ft
A fast moving rise down the Blanco River can make swimming and canoeing dangerous above Blanco to below San Marcos. Especially in areas where steep banks make getting out of the river dangerous. Low dams create hydraulic jumps which can trap canoeists and kayakers between the dam and the jump.
7 ft
Overbank conditions begin to threaten swimmers and tubers in recreation areas above Blanco to the San Marcos River confluence below San Marcos.
6 ft
Low lying areas and crossings of secondary roads flood near and below Blanco to below Wimberley including Farm to Market 178 just above Wimberley.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2015 | 44.9 ft | 175,000 cfs |
| May 23, 2015 | 44.9 ft | 175,000 cfs |
| May 27, 1929 | 33.3 ft | 113,000 cfs |
| May 27, 1929 | 33.3 ft | 113,000 cfs |
| Nov 15, 2001 | 28.89 ft | — |
About This Gauge
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Blanco River at Wimberley?
The Blanco River at Wimberley gauge is maintained by USGS (site 08171000) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Blanco River at Wimberley?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Blanco River at Wimberley is 13 feet. Action stage begins at 10 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 17 feet, and major flooding at 26 feet.
How do I get alerts when Blanco River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Blanco River at Wimberley to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category — even when your screen is off.
Where is the Blanco River at Wimberley gauge located?
The gauge is located in Hays County, Texas at coordinates 29.9942°N, 98.0886°W. USGS site number: 08171000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.