BRAZOS RIVER FLOODING AT WASHINGTON

  

The downpour over the past few days has caused flooding along the Brazos River. 

The National Weather Service reports that the Brazos River at Washington is in moderate flood stage, measuring at 42.7 feet as of 3 p.m. today (Wednesday).  Flood stage first begins at 30 feet, and major flood stage starts at 45 feet.

Other levels on the Brazos River include 25.6 feet near Bryan, well below flood stage at 52 feet; 38.3 feet near Hempstead, approaching flood stage at 50 feet; and 108 feet above San Felipe, below flood stage at 122.5 feet.

According to Brazos River Authority streamflow data, the Brazos River at Washington was flowing at 32,900 cubic feet per second as of 3 p.m.  To compare, the streamflow early Monday morning was around 940 cubic feet per second.  The Brazos River near Hempstead was flowing at 51,000 cubic feet per second at that time, up significantly from streamflow of approximately 1,080 cubic feet per second early Monday.

Meanwhile, levels at Lake Somerville have risen around two feet since Monday, recording at 234.08 feet as of this afternoon, per data from www.somerville.lakesonline.com.  The lake is still below the full pool cutoff of 238 feet, but the last time the lake measured this high was early September 2023. 

Lake Manager Russell Meier said it will depend on the amount of rain the area gets the rest of this week and potentially in the next few weeks to see if the lake can get closer to full levels.  He reminded boaters and any visitors to the lake to be mindful of floating debris, wear life jackets and use caution.