River stage
Cotulla, Nueces River
- River level
- 5.88 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +1.44 ft
- Recent high
- 28.84 ft
- Recent low
- 3.93 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS COTT2
- 30-day change
- +0.76 ft
- Average
- 6.83 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 32.40 ft
In brief
The Nueces River at Cotulla, TX read 5.88 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 3.12 ft below action stage. That is 0.76 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge COTT2
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 32.40 ft | 1935-06-18 |
| 2 | 29.70 ft | 1999-06-19 |
| 3 | 29.03 ft | 2026-07-22 |
| 4 | 23.20 ft | 1981-06-16 |
| 5 | 22.81 ft | 2013-10-17 |
| 6 | 21.60 ft | 2002-07-16 |
| 7 | 21.38 ft | 2002-07-08 |
| 8 | 20.96 ft | 2016-03-30 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 9.00 ft
The river flows over its banks in the marshy land downstream, and cuts off areas of the flood plain. Some livestock are potentially affected downstream.
- 12.00 ft
Overbank conditions occur as the flow reaches low areas of the flood plain. The river overbanks the flow in marshy land downstream, and cuts off areas of the flood plain. Some livestock are potentially affected downstream.
- 15.00 ft
Moderate lowland flooding occurs. The peripheral channels between Cotulla and Tilden cut off areas of the flood plain, and isolate or drown cattle. Irrigation pumps, oil field tanks, and hunting cabins are flooded near the river.
- 17.00 ft
Major lowland flooding above Cotulla to below Tilden. Irrigation equipment, oil well pump jacks and tank batteries, hunting cabins and livestock cut off in wide areas of the flood plain.
- 18.00 ft
Major widespread lowland flooding occurs, and many cattle have to be evacuated. Many roads near the river begin or are near flood, including FM 3408 from I-35, Valley Wells Road, the frontage road at mile marker 67. Flooding occurs on portions of Dobie Road including in and around Highway 624, and South of Highway 97.
- 20.00 ft
Major and massive lowland flooding occurs. Evacuations of livestock and a few residential properties along the river required. Many roads near the river will flood, including FM 3408 from I-35, Valley Wells Road, the frontage road near mile marker 67. Flooding also occurs on Dobie Road including in and around Highway 624. FM 624 also floods south of Highway 97 toward Fowlerton.
- 38.00 ft
The base of us Highway 81 bridge is flooded.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nueces River flooding at Cotulla?
No. The Nueces River at Cotulla is at 5.88 ft, 3.12 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Cotulla?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 9 ft, minor flooding 15 ft, moderate flooding 15 ft and major flooding 17 ft.
What is the highest the Nueces River has been at Cotulla?
The highest crest on record is 32.4 ft, on 1935-06-18.
Is the Nueces River high or low right now at Cotulla?
At 5.88 ft it is higher than 69% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge COTT2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 08194000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.