Giner: The floodways are currently within their design capacity

Dear Stakeholders,

The U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) is monitoring localized flooding impacting the communities in South Texas along the Rio Grande.

The Lower Rio Grande Flood Control Project team is responding to flooding in the region and supporting our county and local partners. Staff are patrolling levees to ensure gate structures are set to aid in the drainage of localized runoff into the floodways.

Pumping of floodwaters into the floodway is being allowed over the levees, but proper hose lengths and plastic liners must be used to protect the levees’ structural integrity.

The floodways are currently within their design capacity and flows are primarily constrained to the pilot channel and will recede over time.

USIBWC is also managing flows on the mainstem of the river to coordinate operations with Mexico, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the National Weather Service (NWS), West Gulf River Forecast Center.  

If necessary, excess flood flows will be diverted into the Mexican floodway at Retamal Dam, upstream of Progreso, Texas.

The current flows are well within the capacity of the USIBWC’s Lower Rio Grande Flood Control Project. Please refer to your local NWS Weather Forecast Office for river projections, warnings, and alerts.

Warm regards,

Dr. Maria-Elena Giner, P.E.

Editor’s Note: The above letter was sent by Dr. Maria-Elena Giner, P.E., commissioner of the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, to stakeholders and media outlets in response to recent flooding in the Rio Grande Valley. Giner can be reached by email via mariaelena.giner@ibwc.gov

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