Pedernales River at Johnson City

1. 40.00 ftFlow reaches the slab elevation of the lowest homes in the Pedernales River flood plain near Johnson City, the rodeo grounds and the south approach of Highway 281. An RV park just below Highway 281 has up to six feet of water over the lowest sites. Widespread lowland flooding can cut off and drown hundreds of livestock. Much of Pedernales Falls State Park floods.
2. 37.00 ftSeveral feet of turbulent water is flowing through low areas of an RV park below Highway 281 on the right bank. Many roads and bridges in the flood plain are life threatening. Fencing and roads are damaged or destroyed. Much of Pedernales Falls State Park is flooded.
3. 34.00 ftFlow is to the lowest trailer sites of an RV park just below Highway 281 near Johnson City. Hundreds of cattle can be cut off and drowned in the flood plain. Low areas of Pedernales Falls State Park downstream flood. Roads and bridges near the river are extremely dangerous. Flow is approaching the rodeo grounds. Near the USGS 1:100 year flood level.
4. 30.00 ftFlow is within four feet of an RV park in the northeast part of Johnson City just below Highway 281 on the left bank. Lowest camp sites are at thirty four feet gauge height. Hundreds of livestock in the flood plain can be cut off and drowned. Roads and low bridges near the river flood. Low sections of Pedernales Falls State Park downstream are under turbulent water and very dangerous. Exceeds the USGS 1:50 year flood.
5. 28.00 ftSecondary and primary roads and bridges are severely flooded in the flood plain. Fencing and roads are damaged or destroyed. Low areas of Pedernales State Park downstream are severely flooded. Exceeds USGS 1:25 year flood.
6. 25.00 ftExtensive damage occurs to roads, bridges, fences and signs in the flood plain below Stonewall to Lake Travis. Lower sections of Pedernales Falls State Park flood. Roads and low bridges near the river are flooded and dangerous to motorists. Exceeds USGS 1:10 year flood.
7. 22.00 ftSecondary roads, bridges and crossings are dangerously flooded near the Pedernales River. Low areas of Pedernales Falls State Park are flooded and dangerous. Fencing and roads are damaged or destroyed in the flood plain.
8. 19.00 ftMajor flooding makes secondary and primary roads below Stonewall to Lake Travis very dangerous. Low park areas downstream in Pedernales Falls State Park flood.
9. 17.00 ftModerate lowland flooding makes secondary roads, bridges and low crossings very dangerous. Swimmers and recreationists should move from the flood plain downstream in Pedernales Falls State Park. Near the USGS 1:2 year flood.
10. 14.00 ftMinor lowland flooding reaches secondary roads, crossings and low bridges. Low areas of LBJ National Park upstream are flooded. Swimmers and recreationists should leave the river downstream in Pedernales Falls State Park.
11. 13.00 ftLow water crossings upstream flood.

Chance of flooding, September to November

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.

Most recent crests

• July 16, 2026: 24.58 ft
• May 8, 2019: 18.50 ft
• May 4, 2019: 15.78 ft
• October 16, 2018: 17.58 ft
• June 2, 2016: 16.22 ft
• May 24, 2015: 19.25 ft
• May 25, 2007: 20.36 ft
• November 17, 2004: 17.73 ft
• July 4, 2002: 26.00 ft
• November 15, 2001: 22.45 ft

• UpstreamPedernales River at Fredericksburg
• Blanco River at Blanco
• Pedernales River
• Blanco River at Crabapple Road
• Colorado River (TX) at Lake LBJ
• Sandy Creek at Kingsland
• Little Blanco River at FM32 near Fischer
• Colorado River (TX) at Lake Marble Falls
• Blanco River at Fischer Store Rd near Fischer

Forecasts by the West Gulf River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. 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.

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.