River stage
Wharton, Colorado River
- River level
- 7.76 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -1.40 ft
- Recent high
- 21.28 ft
- Recent low
- 6.99 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS WHAT2
- 30-day change
- -0.30 ft
- Average
- 9.29 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 50.47 ft
In brief
The Colorado River at Wharton, TX read 7.76 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 12.24 ft below action stage. That is 0.30 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge WHAT2
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50.47 ft | 2017-08-31 |
| 2 | 48.99 ft | 1940-07-03 |
| 3 | 48.72 ft | 1998-10-23 |
| 4 | 48.32 ft | 2004-11-26 |
| 5 | 48.30 ft | 2016-04-22 |
| 6 | 48.30 ft | 1940-11-26 |
| 7 | 47.00 ft | 2016-05-31 |
| 8 | 45.31 ft | 1991-12-27 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 39.00 ft
Minor lowland flooding begins in the vicinity of the gage as water escapes the main channel.
- 41.00 ft
Moderate lowland flooding begins in the vicinity of the gage with the JDIN Recreational Center in southwest Wharton threatened.
- 41.50 ft
Moderate lowland flooding continues as the JDIN Recreational Center in southwest Wharton is flooded.
- 43.00 ft
Major lowland flooding begins in the vicinity of the gage as numerous streets in west and southwest Wharton are inundated and the lowest homes threatened. The JDIN Recreational Center in southwest Wharton close to being isolated.
- 44.00 ft
Major lowland flooding continues as the JDIN Recreational Center in southwest Wharton is isolated and many homes in the western part Wharton are flooded.
- 45.30 ft
Major lowland flooding continues with many homes in the west part of Wharton flooded with 2 to 3 feet of water. The JDIN Recreational Center in southwest Wharton is flooded and isolated.
- 48.00 ft
Major lowland flooding continues with much of west and southwest Wharton flooded. Most streets between Sunset Street, FM 102, and U.S. Highway 59 are inundated and impassable, and several homes have 3 feet or more of water in them.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Colorado River flooding at Wharton?
No. The Colorado River at Wharton is at 7.76 ft, 12.24 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Wharton?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 20 ft, minor flooding 39 ft, moderate flooding 41 ft and major flooding 43 ft.
What is the highest the Colorado River has been at Wharton?
The highest crest on record is 50.47 ft, on 2017-08-31.
Is the Colorado River high or low right now at Wharton?
At 7.76 ft it is higher than 25% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge WHAT2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 08162000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.