Sabinal River at Sabinal

1. 32.00 ftDisastrous flooding upstream near Utopia puts flow four feet deep in the "Utopia on the River" camp headquarters washing autos from the parking lot and threatening lives. Camping sites at a girl scout camp three miles south of Utopia are dangerously flooded. Secondary and primary roads and low bridges near the river flood under several feet of fast moving water as the flood wave moves from the headwaters to the Frio River confluence.
2. 28.00 ftMajor flooding threatens the "Utopia on the River" resort near Utopia. Numerous roads, crossings, and bridges are flooded severely. Livestock should be moved from vulnerable areas of the flood plain.
3. 24.00 ftMajor lowland flooding from the headwaters to the Frio River confluence. Very dangerous to campers upstream near Utopia. Many secondary and primary roads and low bridges are flooded and dangerous.
4. 20.00 ftLowland flooding damages crops and floods pastureland cutting off and potentially drowning livestock in low areas of the flood plain. Secondary roads and low bridges flood severely as the flood wave passes downstream.
5. 16.00 ftModerate lowland flooding inundates lowest secondary roads and bridges in the flood plain from the headwaters to the Frio River confluence.
6. 12.00 ftMinor lowland flooding impacts lowest secondary roads, crossings and low bridges.
7. 10.00 ftFlow extends into lowest areas of the flood plain with no significant damage.

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: 23.32 ft
• October 10, 2018: 15.34 ft
• May 29, 2016: 11.88 ft
• May 24, 2015: 19.51 ft
• July 21, 2007: 27.14 ft
• July 5, 2002: 38.28 ft
• October 28, 1996: 14.08 ft
• June 9, 1992: 17.36 ft
• December 21, 1991: 17.33 ft
• July 18, 1990: 16.24 ft

• UpstreamSabinal River at Mill Creek near Vanderpool
• Sabinal River at Sabinal
• Seco Creek at Rowe Ranch near D'Hanis
• Frio River at Dry Frio near Uvalde
• Leona River at CR 429A near Uvalde
• Frio River at Concan
• Seco Creek at Miller Ranch near Utopia
• Leona River at Uvalde
• Sabinal River at Utopia

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.