Rivers in Texas
Colorado River (TX) at Austin
Below flood stage
16.26ftStage
Observed Sun, Sep 20, 10:50 PM CDT
- Flood stage
- 33.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 16.30 ftWed, Sep 23, 1:00 AM CDT
- Record crest
- 51.00 ft1869
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 42.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 38.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 33.00 ft |
| Action | 25.00 ft |
- 46.00 ftSeveral homes flood in the Colorado River flood plain below Del Valle to Bastrop and along Onion Creek above the Colorado River confluence are severely flooded. Numerous streets and roads are extremely dangerous. Major flooding extends well into the flood plain destroying equipment and livestock.
- 44.00 ftMajor flooding approaches homes in the flood plain below Del Valle to Bastrop. Equipment and livestock should be moved from the flood plain to below Bastrop. Secondary and primary roads and bridges are flooded severely and very dangerous to motorists.
- 42.00 ftMajor flooding approaches the lowest residences along the Colorado River below Del Valle. Residences in the lower reach of Onion Creek are vulnerable to flooding as the Colorado River backs up the creek and adds to runoff down Onion Creek. Livestock and equipment should be moved from the flood plain below Austin to Bastrop. Lowest homes flood near Webberville.
- 40.00 ftLowest homes in the flood plain below Longhorn Dam to above Bastrop Flood. Livestock and equipment should be moved from low areas of the flood plain below Lake Travis to below Bastrop. Roads and low bridges in the flood plain flood severely and are dangerous to motorists.
- 38.00 ftModerate flooding approaches the Colorado River ranchettes in the southwest quadrant of the confluence of the Colorado River and Dry Creek. Lowest homes downstream below Austin flood. Livestock should be moved from vulnerable areas of the flood plain.
- 36.00 ftSeveral homes are threatened as the Colorado River backs up Onion Creek. Any additional flooding down onion creek may flood homes near the confluence with the Colorado River. Livestock should be moved from vulnerable areas of the flood plain below Austin. Lowest homes below Austin flood.
- 35.00 ftLowest homes and apartments near the Colorado River and the lower part of Onion Creek are threatened. Residents should monitor NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio for developing flood warnings. Livestock can be cut off in low areas below Austin. Lowest homes below Austin to Bastrop flood.
- 33.00 ftMinor lowland flooding reaches low areas of the flood plain. No significant damage occurs at this level near Austin but livestock should be moved from low lying areas downstream. Lowest homes below Austin to Bastrop are threatened.
- 31.00 ftFlow is well into the flood plain below Lake Travis downstream. Livestock should be moved from low areas of the flood plain downstream below Austin.
- 29.00 ftFlow is into the lowest sections of the flood plain.
- 27.00 ftFlow is in the lowest sections of the flood plain.
- 25.00 ftFlow exceeds the lowest sections of the banks.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 12% |
| Moderate flooding | 7% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.
Crest history
19 crests on NOAA’s list since 1869.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | July 7, 1869 | 51.00 ft |
| 2 | June 15, 1935 | 50.00 ft |
| 3 | July 25, 1938 | 45.20 ft |
| 4 | April 7, 1900 | 43.50 ft |
| 5 | September 28, 1936 | 43.20 ft |
| 6 | December 4, 1913 | 42.60 ft |
| 7 | May 29, 1929 | 42.40 ft |
| 8 | May 1, 1922 | 39.00 ft |
| 9 | June 8, 1899 | 38.40 ft |
| 10 | May 26, 2015 | 34.09 ft |
| 11 | October 30, 2015 | 33.22 ft |
| 12 | December 31, 1984 | 29.63 ft |
| 13 | September 8, 2010 | 27.70 ft |
| 14 | December 22, 1991 | 26.40 ft |
| 15 | November 22, 2004 | 25.91 ft |
| 16 | May 25, 1981 | 25.76 ft |
| 17 | November 15, 2001 | 24.58 ft |
| 18 | October 17, 1998 | 24.40 ft |
| 19 | June 4, 1987 | 23.86 ft |
Most recent crests
- October 30, 2015: 33.22 ft
- May 26, 2015: 34.09 ft
- September 8, 2010: 27.70 ft
- November 22, 2004: 25.91 ft
- November 15, 2001: 24.58 ft
- October 17, 1998: 24.40 ft
- December 22, 1991: 26.40 ft
- June 4, 1987: 23.86 ft
- December 31, 1984: 29.63 ft
- May 25, 1981: 25.76 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- UpstreamColorado River (TX) at Lake Austin
- DownstreamColorado River (TX) at Bastrop
- Boggy Creek at Webberville Road
- Walnut Creek at Webberville Road
- Boggy Creek at Manor Road
- Waller Creek at East 1st Street at Austin
- Waller Creek at Red River Street
- Shoal Creek at West 12th Street
- Onion Creek at US 183
- Williamson Creek at Jimmy Clay Road near Austin 6SE
What this means
Forecasts by the West Gulf River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. 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.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.