Richard Moore Outdoor Report: Laguna Atascosa Flooding

LOS FRESNOS, Texas (ValleyCentral) — If you plan a trip to Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge this weekend, take mosquito repellent and maybe flippers. 

Historic late March rainfall of over 20 inches in two days dumped nearly a year’s worth of rainfall in eastern Cameron County. 

With much of the area draining through the refuge on its way to the Arroyo Colorado and Laguna Madre, more than half of the main 45,000-plus acre refuge east of Rio Hondo is inundated. 

An aerial view reveals the extent of the historic flooding, and two weeks after the downpour, many refuge roads remain underwater.

At Crossing 1, a torrent of water continues to rush through the culvert racing northeast to Crossing 2 and eventually into the Arroyo Colorado and bay. 

The Rio Grande Valley is perhaps best described as an arid region, occasionally interrupted by cataclysmic flooding. Until recent rains, the refuge and the entire Valley were suffering from prolonged drought. 

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1946 primarily to protect waterfowl. With the recent deluge, refuge lands are primed to welcome the early fall arrival of wintering waterfowl. 

Meanwhile, native wildlife is benefiting from the rainfall, especially resident wading birds. 

With ephemeral wetlands again flooded, flocks of egrets, herons, and spoonbills are eagerly foraging nutrient and prey rich outflows. 

Schools of gar are also gathering in the shallows along with other fish that are prompted to spawn with rising water.

Aquatic conditions are so bountiful that flocks of wintering White pelicans are lingering at Laguna before departing for breeding grounds in the North Country. 

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is the largest protected area of natural habitat open to the public in the Rio Grande Valley, and while much of the refuge is currently underwater, that bodes well for wildlife.

Just remember, if you venture out, don’t forget your bug spray and wading boots.