NWS Midland/Odessa Hydrology

Rio Grande Flood 2008

Below Presidio

Through Big Bend

During the summer of 2008, monsoon rainfall filled reservoirs across northern Mexico. In late August 2008, releases out of La Boquilla, Frank Madera, and Luis Leon Reservoirs were increased to lower water levels in those reservoirs. By mid-September the Rio Grande and it's people were experiencing record flooding. This page is dedicated to those people and that event to record what went right, learn what went wrong, and what can be done in the future to prepare for the next one.

We also would like to thank: The International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), Comision Internacional de Limites y Aguas (CILA), The United States Geological Survey (USGS), The United States Customs and Border Patrol, The National Park Service (NPS) and Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), The US Army, The US Army Corps of Engineers, Texas Division of Emergency Management, The Civil Air Patrol and Texas Wing Group I, The University of Texas Center for Space Research, National Weather Service West Gulf River Forecast Center, National Weather Service Southern Region Headquarters, Presidio County, Brewster County, and the countless individuals for all their hard work, help, and support during this record event.

NOTE: All information and data on this page are preliminary at this time.

Interactive Google Earth / kmz file

CAP flight Google Earth File
KMZ file with pictures from NWS MAF Civil Air Patrol flight (09/20/08) and other important locations.