Commission States RG River Levels to Rise Again

File Photo

The United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) has been advised of dam releases in Mexico on the San Juan River, a tributary that flows into the Rio Grande at Rio Grande City, Texas-Ciudad Camargo, Tamaulipas.  Coupled with releases from the Commission’s Falcon Dam on the Rio Grande, water levels in the Lower Rio Grande Valley will be above normal for several days.  The National Weather Service expects the Rio Grande to remain below flood stage at Rio Grande City.   Dam releases are only a tiny fraction of the volumes seen during July 2010 when flooding occurred.

To control Rio Grande flow at Brownsville, Texas-Matamoros, Tamaulipas, the Commission will temporarily hold water in the river between Anzalduas Dam and Retamal Dam; this will cause the river to rise in this reach beginning September 9 and continuing for several days.  This will affect water levels in the Rio Grande between Hidalgo, TX-Reynosa, Tamps. and Donna, TX-Rio Bravo, Tamps.  Area residents should not be alarmed by this controlled increase in the river level.
No diversions of Rio Grande flow into the U.S. interior floodway system are expected based on current releases from Falcon Dam and expected flows from Mexican tributaries.  Drainage structures have been opened to allow local stormwater to flow into the Rio Grande and the Banker Floodway, Main Floodway, North Floodway, and Arroyo Colorado in Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy Counties, and the USIBWC continues to work with the local community to troubleshoot any problems with these structures.

Residents concerned about flooding in the region affected by Tropical Storm Hermine should monitor National Weather Service warnings and forecasts for information about any flood watches, warnings, and advisories that could be issued.