Major Flood
32 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
Loading...
Streamflow
Loading...
Last Reading
Loading...
FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
29.5 ft
Minor Flood
28 ft
Action Stage
17 ft
What Floods at Each Level
32 ft
At levels above 32.0 feet, major flooding begins as portions of Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive are under 1 to 2 feet of water and homes upstream of the gage begin flooding.
29.5 ft
At levels above 29.5 feet, moderate lowland flooding begins Memorial Drive between Sandman Streeet and Waugh Drive becomes inundated.
28.7 ft
At levels above 28.7 feet, Allen Parkway east of Montrose Boulevard and Memorial Drive east of Waugh Drive flood.
28 ft
At levels above 28.0 feet, minor lowland flooding begins as water spills out of main channel and floods the lowest levels of apartments near the gage.
17 ft
At levels above 17.0 feet, hike and bike trails within the channel become inundated.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
Loading chart data...
Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 28, 2017 | 41.9 ft | 36,400 cfs |
| Jun 8, 2001 | 36.58 ft | 14,000 cfs |
| Sep 10, 1998 | 36.33 ft | 13,400 cfs |
Flood Inundation Map
NOAA has mapped what areas flood at different water levels for this gauge. View the interactive flood inundation map →
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Buffalo Bayou
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 Buffalo Bayou at Shepherd Drive?
The Buffalo Bayou at Shepherd Drive gauge is maintained by USGS (site 08074000) 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 Buffalo Bayou at Shepherd Drive?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Buffalo Bayou at Shepherd Drive is 28 feet. Action stage begins at 17 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 29.5 feet, and major flooding at 32 feet.
How do I get alerts when Buffalo Bayou rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Buffalo Bayou at Shepherd Drive to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category.
Where is the Buffalo Bayou at Shepherd Drive gauge located?
The gauge is located in Harris County, Texas at coordinates 29.7600°N, 95.4083°W. USGS site number: 08074000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Buffalo Bayou
On This River
Upstream: Buffalo Bayou at Piney Point Village
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, 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.