Rio Grande at Lower Brownsville
Texas — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Cameron County, Texas on the Rio Grande. Live water level data from USGS, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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This is an NWS forecast point (LID: LOBT2). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
Flood Stages
Major Flood
29 ft
Moderate Flood
28 ft
Minor Flood
27 ft
Action Stage
24 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
29 ft
Major flooding covers the flood plain inside the levees - flow approaches lowest homes upstream in Brownsville - low roads and bridges near the river are flooded and become dangerous - flood prone residents should monitor NOAA weather radio for developing heavy rain and flooding
27 ft
Moderate lowland flooding covers much of the flood plain inside the levees - lowest secondary roads and low bridges are flooded near the river - property including irrigation pumps, farm equipment, and livestock should be moved out of the flood plain. Lowest homes are threatened.
26 ft
The river is into the lowest areas of the flood plain inside of the levees - no significant damage occurs at this level but flood prone residents or property owners should monitor the level of the river
24 ft
The river exceeds the lowest sections of the banks inside the levees
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 7, 1945 | 31.48 ft | 31,700 cfs |
| Oct 7, 1945 | 31.48 ft | 31,700 cfs |
| Jul 5, 1973 | 31.43 ft | 15,600 cfs |
| Jul 5, 1973 | 31.43 ft | 15,600 cfs |
| Oct 18, 1971 | 30.77 ft | 16,300 cfs |
About This Gauge
NWS LID
LOBT2
River
Rio Grande
County
Cameron, TX
Coordinates
25.8764°N, 97.4556°W
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 Lower Brownsville?
The Rio Grande at Lower Brownsville gauge is maintained by USGS 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 Lower Brownsville?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Rio Grande at Lower Brownsville is 27 feet. Action stage begins at 24 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 28 feet, and major flooding at 29 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 Lower Brownsville 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 Rio Grande at Lower Brownsville gauge located?
The gauge is located in Cameron County, Texas at coordinates 25.8764°N, 97.4556°W. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Rio Grande
On This River
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Source & Notes
- 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.