Major Flood
22 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
15 ft
Minor Flood
14 ft
Action Stage
14 ft
What Floods at Each Level
22 ft
(6.7 meters), major lowland flooding occurs above Dryden to Amistad Reservoir. Below Foster Ranch, the river is one third mile wide and covers the right flood plain to the canyon wall. Campers, autos, gear and livestock flood anywhere in the Rio Grande canyon bottom and will wash downstream. Canoeing and kayaking are extremely dangerous in the Rio Grande River above Dryden to Amistad Reservoir. Turbulent flow, huge eddies and whirlpools occur.
18 ft
(5.5 meters), the flow is well into the flood plain and threatens campers, gear and autos below Dryden to Amistad Reservoir. The flow is very turbulent with eddies and whirlpools dangerous to swimmers, canoeists and kayakers from above Foster Ranch to Amistad Reservoir.
15 ft
(4.6 meters), moderate lowland flooding into the right flood plain floods campsites below Dryden to Amistad Reservoir. Turbulence is very dangerous for swimmers, tubers and canoeists. Livestock are trapped in low areas of the channel and banks and potentially can drown.
14 ft
(4.3 meters), minor lowland flooding into low areas of the flood plain causes no significant damage.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 16, 1922 | 50 ft | — |
| Nov 4, 1978 | 38.15 ft | 148,000 cfs |
| Sep 19, 1974 | 36.69 ft | 137,000 cfs |
About This Gauge
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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 Foster Ranch?
The Rio Grande at Foster Ranch gauge is maintained by USGS (site 08377200) 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 Foster Ranch?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Rio Grande at Foster Ranch is 14 feet. Action stage begins at 14 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 15 feet, and major flooding at 22 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 Foster Ranch 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 Foster Ranch gauge located?
The gauge is located in Val Verde County, Texas at coordinates 29.7808°N, 101.7560°W. USGS site number: 08377200. 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
- 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.