Major Flood
24 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
19 ft
Minor Flood
15 ft
Action Stage
13 ft
What Floods at Each Level
24.7 ft
the river reaches record stage (1978), and results in major flooding of Cottonwood Campground. All area roads are submerged.
19 ft
the river reaches moderate flood stage, and begins flooding Cottonwood Campground. The river inundates the restrooms upstream at Santa Elena Canyon parking lot. The river begins to close all area roads.
15 ft
the river reaches minor flood stage, and lowland flooding begins. The river begins to flood the road between Santa Elena Canyon and Cottonwood Campground in Big Bend National Park. The river begins to flood the parking lot at Santa Elena Canyon, and cut off the nature trail into the canyon. Campers in Cottonwood Campground need to prepare for possible evacuations.
13 ft
the river reaches bankfull, and no significant damage is expected.
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 26, 1958 | 24.7 ft | -9,999 cfs |
| Oct 2, 1932 | 24.6 ft | — |
| Sep 22, 2008 | 23.25 ft | 59,092 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Rio Grande
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 Rio Grande at Castolon?
The Rio Grande at Castolon gauge is maintained by USGS (site 08374550) 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 Rio Grande at Castolon?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Rio Grande at Castolon is 15 feet. Action stage begins at 13 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 19 feet, and major flooding at 24 feet.
How do I get alerts when Rio Grande rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Rio Grande at Castolon 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 Rio Grande at Castolon gauge located?
The gauge is located in Brewster County, Texas at coordinates 29.1380°N, 103.5249°W. USGS site number: 08374550. 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 12 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.