Brazos River near West Columbia
Texas — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Brazoria County, Texas on the Brazos River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 08116850, 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
28 ft
Moderate Flood
27 ft
Minor Flood
26 ft
Action Stage
20 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
30.73 ft
Flood of record occurred on September 3rd, 2017, during Hurricane Harvey. Massive widespread flooding occurred. Part of West Columbia is threatened.
30 ft
Homes in Columbia Lakes are threatened.
29 ft
Major flooding continues with widespread structure flooding occurring.
28.5 ft
Lowest areas in East Columbia are threatened.
28 ft
Major flooding begins with subdivisions such as Mallard Lakes and Great Lakes being cut off. Low-lying areas along State Highway 35 on the left bank/north side are flooded with approximately 1.0ft of inundation. State Highway 35 is impassable.
27.5 ft
State Highway 35 has at least 0.5 foot of inundation.
27 ft
Moderate flooding begins as water escapes the mainstem of the Brazos River near the gauge. Low lying homes in the City of Brazoria are threatened, and widespread county road flooding occurs. Low lying areas along State Highway 35 on the left bank/north side are flooded. State Highway 35 and the lowest areas of Bar X are threatened.
26 ft
Minor flooding begins as water escapes the mainstem of the Brazos River approximately 5 miles downstream of the gage. County roads begin to take on water.
20 ft
Action stage begins as water begins to backup tributaries of the mainstem, specifically Varner Creek.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 3, 2017 | 30.73 ft | 74,844 cfs |
| Sep 3, 2017 | 30.73 ft | 74,844 cfs |
| Jun 8, 2016 | 30.22 ft | — |
| Jun 8, 2016 | 30.22 ft | — |
| May 13, 2019 | 28.33 ft | 73,700 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Brazos River
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Brazos River near West Columbia?
The Brazos River near West Columbia gauge is maintained by USGS (site 08116850) 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 Brazos River near West Columbia?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Brazos River near West Columbia is 26 feet. Action stage begins at 20 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 27 feet, and major flooding at 28 feet.
How do I get alerts when Brazos River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Brazos River near West Columbia 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 Brazos River near West Columbia gauge located?
The gauge is located in Brazoria County, Texas at coordinates 29.1440°N, 95.6058°W. USGS site number: 08116850. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- 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.