River Conditions
Illustrated map of Grand Lake

River stage

Lower Brownsville, Rio Grande

River level
3.50 ft
Status
Below flood stage
Action stage
24.00 ft
Flood stage
27.00 ft
Record crest
31.48 ft

Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS LOBT2

Record crest
31.48 ft
Flood stage
27.00 ft
Moderate flood
28.00 ft
Major flood
29.00 ft
Crest date
1945-10-08

In brief

The Rio Grande at Lower Brownsville, TX read 3.50 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 20.50 ft below action stage.

Source: National Weather Service gauge LOBT2

Stage threshold profile

Action stage 24.00 ftMinor flooding 27.00 ftModerate flooding 28.00 ftMajor flooding 29.00 ft CURRENT 3.50 ft

Highest crests on record

RankCrestDate
1 31.48 ft 1945-10-08
2 31.43 ft 1973-07-06
3 30.77 ft 1971-10-19
4 30.01 ft 1973-09-24
5 29.59 ft 1973-10-01
6 29.30 ft 1973-06-30
7 28.88 ft 1976-08-28
8 28.87 ft 1976-09-01

Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.

What happens at each level

  1. 24.00 ft

    The river exceeds the lowest sections of the banks inside the levees

  2. 26.00 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

  3. 27.00 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.

  4. 29.00 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

Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Rio Grande flooding at Lower Brownsville?

No. The Rio Grande at Lower Brownsville is at 3.5 ft, 20.5 ft below action stage.

What is the flood stage at Lower Brownsville?

The National Weather Service sets action stage 24 ft, minor flooding 27 ft, moderate flooding 28 ft and major flooding 29 ft.

What is the highest the Rio Grande has been at Lower Brownsville?

The highest crest on record is 31.48 ft, on 1945-10-08.

Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge LOBT2). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.