Rivers in Texas
San Marcos River at Luling
Below flood stage
3.61ftStage
Observed Mon, Sep 21, 7:45 PM CDT
- Flood stage
- 20.00 ft
- Record crest
- 41.85 ft1998
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 30.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 24.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 20.00 ft |
| Action | 11.00 ft |
- 40.00 ftDevastating flooding reaches the lowest homes in Luling north and northeast of the golf course. All of Palmetto State Park at Ottine is under many feet of water. Water is nearly to the roof of the pavillion building. The Warm Springs rehabilitation hospital in Ottine has several feet of water in it.
- 36.00 ftPalmetto State Park is under water except for the headquarters building. The pavillion has six feet of water in it. Much of the golf course in Luling is underwater. Lowest homes northeast of the golf course are threatened. The Warm Springs rehabilitation hospital in Ottine has several feet of water in it.
- 32.00 ftPalmetto State Park is under water with water in the large pavillion building. There is extensive damage to roads, signs, camp sites and the pavillion building. Livestock are cut off and drowned in the flood plain below San Marcos to Gonzales. The lowest sections of the golf course in Luling are under water.
- 30.00 ftMajor flooding reaches nearly all of Palmetto State Park with extensive damage to park facilities, signs, fences and roads. Flow is to the slab of the large pavillion building. Livestock in the flood plain below San Marcos to Gonzales are cut off. Lowest sections of the golf course in Luling flood.
- 28.00 ftMost of Palmetto State Park is flooded including Farm to Market 2091 through the park. Flow is approaching the large park pavillion building. All park visitors are evacuated. At Highway 80 in Luling flow is well into the flood plain and approaching the golf course. Livestock are cut off in the flood plain below San Marcos to Gonzales.
- 24.00 ftModerate flooding in Palmetto State Park five miles below Luling inundates many park facilities and roads.
- 20.00 ftMinor lowland flooding reaches lowest camp sites and several sections of park roads at Palmetto State Park five miles below Luling.
- 16.00 ftOver bank flow reaches lowest areas of the flood plain with no significant damage.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 16% |
| Moderate flooding | 14% |
| Major flooding | 13% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.
Crest history
28 crests on NOAA’s list since 1869.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 18, 1998 | 41.85 ft |
| 2 | January 1, 1869 | 40.40 ft |
| 3 | May 29, 1929 | 37.10 ft |
| 4 | May 25, 2015 | 36.58 ft |
| 5 | October 31, 2015 | 36.27 ft |
| 6 | September 12, 1952 | 34.95 ft |
| 7 | November 22, 2004 | 34.91 ft |
| 8 | June 14, 1981 | 34.82 ft |
| 9 | November 16, 2001 | 34.64 ft |
| 10 | July 6, 2002 | 33.73 ft |
| 11 | December 22, 1991 | 33.65 ft |
| 12 | November 18, 2004 | 32.83 ft |
| 13 | June 23, 1997 | 32.65 ft |
| 14 | March 12, 2007 | 31.75 ft |
| 15 | June 4, 1987 | 31.40 ft |
| 16 | July 21, 2007 | 31.31 ft |
| 17 | February 5, 1992 | 30.92 ft |
| 18 | October 15, 2021 | 30.56 ft |
| 19 | August 27, 2017 | 30.09 ft |
| 20 | December 23, 1986 | 28.73 ft |
| 21 | May 31, 2015 | 27.79 ft |
| 22 | June 10, 2010 | 27.66 ft |
| 23 | May 31, 1995 | 27.12 ft |
| 24 | November 4, 2000 | 26.59 ft |
| 25 | May 18, 2015 | 26.20 ft |
Most recent crests
- October 15, 2021: 30.56 ft
- August 27, 2017: 30.09 ft
- October 31, 2015: 36.27 ft
- May 31, 2015: 27.79 ft
- May 25, 2015: 36.58 ft
- May 18, 2015: 26.20 ft
- April 24, 2015: 24.51 ft
- June 10, 2010: 27.66 ft
- July 21, 2007: 31.31 ft
- March 31, 2007: 26.19 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.