Rio Grande at Johnson Ranch

1. 28.40 ftthe river reaches record stage (1978). Major flooding begins upstream in Cottonwood Campground at Castolon. Most park roads near the river flood.
2. 19.00 ftthe river reaches major flood stage. Flooding begins to occur upstream in Cottonwood Campground at Castolon, as stages at each location are practically synonymous. Moderate lowland flooding begins at the gage site, but no damage occurs. The gage is inaccessible, as River Road is impassable at several locations.
3. 15.00 ftflood stage is reached. Moderate lowland flooding begins. Roads that lead to Cottonwood Campground and River Road may flood. Stages are practically synonymous with the gage at Cottonwood Campground at Castolon (CSTT2), and therefore represent the reach from Santa Elena Canyon through Cottonwood Campground, where damage may occur. Cattle also graze in the lowlands, and may be threatened.
4. 12.00 ftthe river reaches bankfull, minor lowland flooding occurs, and no significant damage is expected.

Most recent crests

• July 21, 2026: 15.22 ft
• July 4, 2025: 19.93 ft
• July 2, 2025: 18.04 ft
• June 30, 2025: 17.23 ft
• June 30, 2025: 17.23 ft
• June 6, 2025: 15.11 ft
• September 3, 2024: 18.52 ft
• July 23, 2024: 15.74 ft
• September 19, 2022: 15.03 ft
• September 16, 2022: 16.17 ft

• UpstreamRio Grande at Castolon
• DownstreamRio Grande at Boquillas Crossing
• Terlingua Creek 7 miles S of Terlingua at Terlingua
• Rio Grande 3 miles NNW of Redford at Redford
• Rio Grande 5 miles SE of Presidio at Presidio
• Alamito Creek 5 miles ESE 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.