Medina River at Bandera, TX

River level and flood forecast · Bandera County

Normal3.7 ftas of Mon 2:45 PM

The river is 9.3 ft below flood stage (13 ft).

Flow: 21 cubic feet per second (USGS).

The last 7 days and the forecast

05101520TueWedThuFriSatSunMonAction 10 ftFlood 13 ftModerate 14 ftNowObserved (ft)NWS forecast

NWS forecast issued Sun, Dec 31, 6 PM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.

Flood stages

Major flood stage24 ft
Moderate flood stage14 ft
Flood stage13 ft
Action stage10 ft
Record crest (August 2, 1978)46.62 ft

What floods at each level

From the National Weather Service, highest first.

  • 29 ftDisastrous life threatening flooding reaches the Highway 173 bridge floor in Bandera. All RV campsites at the Pioneer RV Park just below Highway 173 flood severely. Many homes at the upper end of Medina Lake flood, with the severity depending on flood storage in Medina Lake. Flow through the Medina Lake emergency spillway may flood homes downstream in Bexar County near LaCoste and Von Ormy.
  • 27 ftDisastrous flooding reaches the Pioneer RV Park at Highway 173 in Bandera and homes at the upper end of Medina Lake. Homes and businesses near the Medina River downstream in southern Bexar County should prepare for structural flooding. Flow is near the Highway 173 bridge floor at Bandera. Roads and bridges around Bandera County are severely flooded and dangerous to motorists.
  • 25 ftNumerous homes at the upper end of Medina Lake may flood severely depending on the Medina Lake level. Depending on the flood storage, flow over the Medina Lake emergency spillway may flood homes downstream near LaCoste and Somerset in Bexar County. All campsites in the Pioneer RV Park in Bandera flood and flow is within three feet of the Highway 173 bridge floor.
  • 24 ftMajor flooding reaches the Pioneer RV park just below Highway 173 in Bandera. Many secondary and primary roads and bridges near the Medina River are flooded and very dangerous. Lowest homes at the upper end of Medina Lake flood, with the severity depending on the Medina Lake level.
  • 22 ftSevere flooding begins to threaten the Pioneer RV park. All RV's should be evacuated immediately. Homes at the upper end of Medina Lake will flood severely. Many roads and bridges in Bandera County will flood and are very dangerous.
  • 20 ftFlooding begins in the Pioneer RV Park at Highway 173 in Bandera. All RV's and campers should evacuate immediately before flooding cuts off the Pioneer RV Park. Flooding threatens many homes at the upper end of Medina Lake. Residents of flood prone areas should monitor NOAA Weather Radio for developing heavy rain and flooding and prepare to evacuate as emergency officials assess the threat. Roads and bridges across Bandera County are severely flooded and very dangerous.
  • 18 ftThe second level of campsites flood at the Pioneer RV Park just below Highway 173 in Bandera. The lowest sites are under several feet of water. Secondary roads and low bridges flood near the Medina River and are dangerous to traffic. The lowest homes at the upper end of Medina Lake may flood depending on the level of Medina Lake.
  • 17 ftModerate lowland flooding threatens the second level of trailer spaces at the Pioneer RV Park at Highway 173 in Bandera and homes at the upper end of Medina Lake. Lowest trailer sites at the Pioneer RV Park are under several feet of water.
  • 15 ftModerate lowland flooding covers lowest parking sites at the Pioneer RV park in Bandera and is threatening the second level. Residents and people camping or renting properties adjacent to the river should monitor NOAA Weather Radio and social media outlets for developing heavy rain and flood conditions. Lowest homes at the upper end of Medina Lake are threatened if the lake is near spillway level.
  • 12 ftWater covers lowest areas of the flood plain with no significant damage. Residents of mobile home parks, the Pioneer RV Park and the upper end of Medina Lake should monitor NOAA Weather Radio for developing flood conditions.

Highest crests on record

  1. 46.62 ft — August 2, 1978
  2. 38.91 ft — July 5, 2002
  3. 24.93 ft — May 24, 2015
  4. 24.9 ft — June 3, 1987
  5. 24.49 ft — June 22, 1997

Recent crests: 16.76 ft (July 17, 2026) · 20.59 ft (May 29, 2016) · 24.93 ft (May 24, 2015) · 14.46 ft (March 30, 2007) · 38.91 ft (July 5, 2002)

Up and down the river, and nearby

Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (BDAT2); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.