River stage
Luling, San Marcos River
- River level
- 3.70 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +0.02 ft
- Recent high
- 6.20 ft
- Recent low
- 3.63 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS LLGT2
- 30-day change
- +0.02 ft
- Average
- 3.94 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 41.85 ft
In brief
The San Marcos River at Luling, TX read 3.70 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 7.30 ft below action stage. That is 0.02 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge LLGT2
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 41.85 ft | 1998-10-18 |
| 2 | 40.40 ft | 1869-01-01 |
| 3 | 37.10 ft | 1929-05-29 |
| 4 | 36.58 ft | 2015-05-25 |
| 5 | 36.27 ft | 2015-10-31 |
| 6 | 34.95 ft | 1952-09-12 |
| 7 | 34.91 ft | 2004-11-22 |
| 8 | 34.82 ft | 1981-06-14 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 16.00 ft
Over bank flow reaches lowest areas of the flood plain with no significant damage.
- 20.00 ft
Minor lowland flooding reaches lowest camp sites and several sections of park roads at Palmetto State Park five miles below Luling.
- 24.00 ft
Moderate flooding in Palmetto State Park five miles below Luling inundates many park facilities and roads.
- 28.00 ft
Most of Palmetto State Park is flooded including Farm to Market 2091 through the park. Flow is approaching the large park pavillion building. All park visitors are evacuated. At Highway 80 in Luling flow is well into the flood plain and approaching the golf course. Livestock are cut off in the flood plain below San Marcos to Gonzales.
- 30.00 ft
Major flooding reaches nearly all of Palmetto State Park with extensive damage to park facilities, signs, fences and roads. Flow is to the slab of the large pavillion building. Livestock in the flood plain below San Marcos to Gonzales are cut off. Lowest sections of the golf course in Luling flood.
- 32.00 ft
Palmetto State Park is under water with water in the large pavillion building. There is extensive damage to roads, signs, camp sites and the pavillion building. Livestock are cut off and drowned in the flood plain below San Marcos to Gonzales. The lowest sections of the golf course in Luling are under water.
- 36.00 ft
Palmetto State Park is under water except for the headquarters building. The pavillion has six feet of water in it. Much of the golf course in Luling is underwater. Lowest homes northeast of the golf course are threatened. The Warm Springs rehabilitation hospital in Ottine has several feet of water in it.
- 40.00 ft
Devastating flooding reaches the lowest homes in Luling north and northeast of the golf course. All of Palmetto State Park at Ottine is under many feet of water. Water is nearly to the roof of the pavillion building. The Warm Springs rehabilitation hospital in Ottine has several feet of water in it.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the San Marcos River flooding at Luling?
No. The San Marcos River at Luling is at 3.7 ft, 7.3 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Luling?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 11 ft, minor flooding 20 ft, moderate flooding 24 ft and major flooding 30 ft.
What is the highest the San Marcos River has been at Luling?
The highest crest on record is 41.85 ft, on 1998-10-18.
Is the San Marcos River high or low right now at Luling?
At 3.7 ft it is higher than 21% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge LLGT2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 08172000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.