River Flooding

The North Concho River at FM 2228 at Grape Creek was running high enough late Friday night to plant a tree branch in the bridge. Flood warning were issued Saturday for the Colorado River near Ballinger. Jason Johnson says "the river upstream from Ballinger crested at twenty feet. That mainly impacted farm and ranch land along the banks of the river." When the stream flow monitor near Ballinger surpasses eighteen feet, the Colorado is in flood stage. The record height is 36 feet, recorded well before Lake Spence was built. Jason Johnson says "we have not seen as high as in the 1930s, but the river has come up to 25 feet in the last ten years." The flood gauge for the South Concho River is located at Highway 277 in Christoval. Flood stage of twelve feet was recorded late Friday night. Jason Johnson says "crested just under thirteen feet. That impacted the recreation area in Christoval." Radar indicated precipitation captures the total rain amounts for the 36 hour rain event. The red areas received rainfall amounts of six inches and covers much of Tom Green County. Saturated soil will cause faster runoff if Hurricane Dean effects the Concho Valley. Jason Johnson says "any additional rains will see responses faster than normal." Even smaller streams like the Red Arroyo can rise dangerously fast in tropical downpours.