RGV flooding

[Jim]

I just talked to some folks out at the park this morning and was told that RGV had to be evacuated.  The Visitor's center at RGV is expected to have 6 feet of water in it on Friday when the River crests, and they had to pack out all the books and equipment from there.  Even the residences at RGV had to be evacuated!

The NPS Morning report had the following:

Big Bend NP – Due to significant rainfall, from Pacific Tropical Storm Lowell in west Texas and northern Mexico, the Rio Grande is at flood stage. Mexican officials continue to release water from reservoirs into the Rio Conchos. That flow combined with rain has forced the evacuation of low-lying areas in Presidio, Texas, 70 miles upstream from Big Bend NP. Roadways adjacent to the river are closed due to high water. Backcountry roads and campsites along the river are impassible due to water and mud. Two riverside campgrounds in the park, Cottonwood at Castolon and the campground at Rio Grande Village, are closed due to high water. River levels at Castolon yesterday morning were at flood stage at 20.0 feet. River levels at Rio Grande Village were at 21.20 feet, with flood stage there occurring at 13.00 feet. The National Weather Service is predicting the river will crest at 33.00 ft on Friday. Predicted river levels may reach the Forever Resorts store, the visitor center, and employee housing and maintenance areas at Rio Grande Village later in the week. The NPS will be evacuating the Rio Grande Village area, including a 100-site class A campground, visitor center (which is closed May through October), concession operated store, laundry, and shower facility. The store also runs the Rio Grande Village 25 site RV hookup campground (the only RV hookups in the park.).

[uh_clem]

  If I read that correctly, the river will crest 20 feet above flood stage at RGV. That much water must cover a huge area. I assume the villages of Boquillas and Santa Elena will be effected as well?

[Roy]

I'm reading it the same way Clem.
If I recall properly, Boquillas and Santa Elena both sit up on a bluff, but probably not that high.

[Ay Chihuahua!]

Sorry about the two idiots standing in the way, but this picture was taken from the patio of the taqueria/cafe in Boquillas.  Judging from the picture, that patio will be under water.
 

[jeffblaylock]

Sorry about the two idiots standing in the way, but this picture was taken from the patio of the taqueria/cafe in Boquillas.  Judging from the picture, that patio will be under water.
 

I only see ONE idiot.

As I recall, Boquillas is built on a slant, so the lower portions of the village will flood, and I assume all the subsistence farm fields will also be under a lot of water. Misery piled upon misery.

[Ay Chihuahua!]

I only see ONE idiot. eusa_dance

Actually, in recalling the incidents of that epic New Year's Eve I only see one idiot too.  And, I ain't talk'n bout the guy with the Rangers cap.

Now that I look at the picture a little more closely...sorry for sticking that cigarette in your face.

[dkerr24]

Sure wish someone could snag some photos of the current flooding near RGV. 

I wonder what the hot springs looks like right now?

[Jim]

From the 9/19/2008 Morning Report:

Big Bend National Park (TX)
Rains From Tropical Storm Lowell Cause Evacuations

Due to significant rainfall from Pacific Tropical Storm Lowell in west Texas and northern Mexico, the Rio Grande is at flood stage. Mexican officials continue to release water from reservoirs into the Rio Conchos, which, combined with rain, has caused flooding and evacuations along the Rio Grande – including within the park. Big Bend has established an incident command post and has activated its incident management team. Fourteen employees and family members and four concession employees and family members have been evacuated from the Rio Grand Village area. Water was expected to reach the housing area yesterday. The river is due to crest on Friday and water levels are expected to be six to eight feet over pre-flood levels.  There is a potential for a dam to breach on the Mexico side, with unknown consequences. Also at risk are an endangered species of fish which resides in a pond located in the area.  Resource crews are working to relocate these fish to a safe location. Four employees from Ft. Davis have been sent to Big Bend to assist the park. If flooding is significant, cleanup issues may include both water and sewage contamination and damage to employee housing and a gas-station and general store. [Submitted by Department of the Interior Watch Office]

[SHANEA]

On the scene reports...

[SHANEA]

more on the scene pics...

[Roy]

Anybody know anything about the dam mentioned in Jim's release?  Is it a local dam, or one of those big ones on the Concho (I sure hope not)?

[Jim]

Anybody know anything about the dam mentioned in Jim's release?  Is it a local dam, or one of those big ones on the Concho (I sure hope not)?

From today's report:

Big Bend National Park (TX)
Park Continues To Deal With Rising Rio Grande River

A levee near the town of Ojinaja, Mexico, just south of Presidio, Texas, gave way on Monday, temporarily lowering the peak water levels of the Rio Grande and giving the park some extra time prior to the coming high water crest. Semi-permanent arrangements have been made for six NPS families affected by the flood evacuation of Rio Grande Village as well as for two concession employees and their families. Sandbagging is underway at Rio Grande Village to help protect the park’s housing, visitor center, and concessions store. The objective is to mitigate water damage to these structures, assuming that the water does not rise above the sandbags. Other actions being taken include the following:

    * 200 Big Bend mosquito fish (Gambusia) have been captured, and 150 of these that are considered to have the purest genetic strain are being transferred to the fish hatchery in Dexter, New Mexico.
    * Efforts are being made to stabilize historic structures in the path of the flooding. Historic adobe buildings at Rio Grande Village and Castolon will be sandbagged or bermed.
    * About 6,000 gallons of gasoline was consolidated into one tank to secure this one tank in ground from the underground tanks at the Rio Grande Village concession store.

The Rio Grande is predicted to crest on Friday or Saturday of this week. [Submitted by David Elkowitz, Public Information Officer]

[Roy]

Ya know, it was flooding by the Rio that led to the evolution of Gambusia in the first place.  Now they have to be protected from it.   Sometimes the world does turn in peculiar ways.

[PyramidBlaster]

Anyone know the fate of the 'Contrabando' site?

[badknees]

Anyone know the fate of the 'Contrabando' site?

The name was changed to "Lago Contrabando"