Rio Grande at Castolon

1. 24.70 ftthe river reaches record stage (1978), and results in major flooding of Cottonwood Campground. All area roads are submerged.
2. 19.00 ftthe river reaches moderate flood stage, and begins flooding Cottonwood Campground. The river inundates the restrooms upstream at Santa Elena Canyon parking lot. The river begins to close all area roads.
3. 15.00 ftthe river reaches minor flood stage, and lowland flooding begins. The river begins to flood the road between Santa Elena Canyon and Cottonwood Campground in Big Bend National Park. The river begins to flood the parking lot at Santa Elena Canyon, and cut off the nature trail into the canyon. Campers in Cottonwood Campground need to prepare for possible evacuations.
4. 13.00 ftthe river reaches bankfull, and no significant damage is expected.

Most recent crests

• July 20, 2026: 17.99 ft
• July 4, 2025: 19.35 ft
• July 2, 2025: 17.09 ft
• June 30, 2025: 15.98 ft
• September 3, 2024: 17.74 ft
• July 23, 2024: 16.16 ft
• May 28, 2023: 19.40 ft
• May 26, 2023: 18.19 ft
• October 11, 2022: 17.42 ft
• September 4, 2022: 15.15 ft

• UpstreamRio Grande 3 miles NNW of Redford at Redford
• DownstreamRio Grande at Johnson Ranch
• Terlingua Creek 7 miles S of Terlingua at Terlingua
• Rio Grande at Boquillas Crossing
• Rio Grande 5 miles SE of Presidio at Presidio
• Alamito Creek 5 miles ESE of Presidio at Presidio
• Rio Grande at Presidio International Bridge
• Rio Grande 6 miles WNW of Presidio at Presidio

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 12 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.