Rivers in Texas
Colorado River (TX) at Wharton
Below flood stage
7.96ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 5:15 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 39.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 8.20 ftWed, Sep 23, 8:00 PM CDT
- Record crest
- 50.47 ft2017
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 43.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 41.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 39.00 ft |
| Action | 20.00 ft |
- 48.00 ftMajor 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.
- 45.30 ftMajor 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.
- 44.00 ftMajor lowland flooding continues as the JDIN Recreational Center in southwest Wharton is isolated and many homes in the western part Wharton are flooded.
- 43.00 ftMajor 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.
- 41.50 ftModerate lowland flooding continues as the JDIN Recreational Center in southwest Wharton is flooded.
- 41.00 ftModerate lowland flooding begins in the vicinity of the gage with the JDIN Recreational Center in southwest Wharton threatened.
- 39.00 ftMinor lowland flooding begins in the vicinity of the gage as water escapes the main channel.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 15% |
| Moderate flooding | 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.
Crest history
45 crests on NOAA’s list since 1940.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 31, 2017 | 50.47 ft |
| 2 | July 3, 1940 | 48.99 ft |
| 3 | October 23, 1998 | 48.72 ft |
| 4 | November 26, 2004 | 48.32 ft |
| 5 | April 22, 2016 | 48.30 ft |
| 6 | November 26, 1940 | 48.30 ft |
| 7 | May 31, 2016 | 47.00 ft |
| 8 | December 27, 1991 | 45.31 ft |
| 9 | June 15, 1973 | 45.25 ft |
| 10 | September 15, 1961 | 43.90 ft |
| 11 | October 17, 1957 | 43.00 ft |
| 12 | May 31, 2015 | 42.78 ft |
| 13 | April 23, 1977 | 42.35 ft |
| 14 | April 30, 1957 | 41.90 ft |
| 15 | May 27, 1975 | 41.50 ft |
| 16 | June 17, 1987 | 41.48 ft |
| 17 | June 26, 1968 | 41.06 ft |
| 18 | October 20, 1994 | 40.69 ft |
| 19 | November 3, 1981 | 40.55 ft |
| 20 | June 27, 1960 | 40.50 ft |
| 21 | November 8, 2002 | 39.16 ft |
| 22 | June 18, 1981 | 38.50 ft |
| 23 | July 9, 2007 | 35.01 ft |
| 24 | November 4, 2013 | 33.28 ft |
| 25 | June 21, 1993 | 33.06 ft |
Most recent crests
- August 31, 2017: 50.47 ft
- May 31, 2016: 47.00 ft
- April 22, 2016: 48.30 ft
- May 31, 2015: 42.78 ft
- November 4, 2013: 33.28 ft
- March 23, 2012: 29.32 ft
- April 19, 2009: 32.04 ft
- July 9, 2007: 35.01 ft
- November 26, 2004: 48.32 ft
- June 13, 2004: 29.26 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
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.