Floodwaters swallow Gonzales lowlands

Although Independence Park and other

low-lying areas in and around Gonzales bore a striking resemblance

to a lake Thursday afternoon, residents in the Guadalupe River

flood plain are breathing a collective sigh of relief today after

initial warnings from the National Weather Service proved

inflated.

The Guadalupe appeared to have crested in

Gonzales at midday Thursday, reaching more than 37 feet according

to the NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service. Observers

indicate that the river crested at 37.11 feet at 1:45 p.m.

Thursday, almost five feet above flood stage. The flood gauge at

the old Gonzales Hydro Station registered a river depth of 37 feet

at 1 p.m.

According to Jimmy Harless, Gonzales County

Emergency Management coordinator, the river is expected to remain

at or above flood stage into Friday before waters recede into

Saturday.

The NWS Austin-San Antonio, after issuing a

flood warning on Wednesday for the Guadalupe River in Gonzales

County to reach major flooding levels of more than 42 feet,

downgraded its predictions on Thursday, saying river levels should

exceed flood stage, but only by about four feet.

Wednesday’s warning called for waters to

reach more 42.3 feet — a whopping 11 feet above flood stage, with

widespread flooding expected and scenarios that would have threaten

to close U.S. Highway 183 and state Highway 97.

But Paul Yura with the NWS said Thursday

that minor — rather than major — flooding was expected. The NWS

revised its forecast for the river to rise above flood stage,

predicting the river would surpass the 31-foot flood stage

Thursday. The river is expected to fall below flood stage by late

Friday.

As of presstime Thursday evening, much of

Independence Park remained under water and had attracted scores of

curious onlookers throughout the day clamoring to witness the

phenomenon that belies drought concerns. Widespread flooding was

also reported in rural low-lying areas, especially surrounding

Ottine in northwest Gonzales County. There was also at least one

instance of a northwest county resident’s truck being swept off the

roadway near Ottine. That truck was under up to 10 feet of water by

midday Thursday.

When the NWS flood models predicted major

flooding if the river reached 43 feet, it was feared U.S. Highway

183, state Highway 97 and FM 108 would be closed. Runoff down

Tinsley Creek in Gonzales would have added to the Guadalupe River

backwater, flooding the lowest homes near the river.

At 8 a.m. Thursday, the Guadalupe River was

reported to be at 29 feet, up almost 17 feet from its 12.4-foot

level midday Wednesday. As the river rose above flood stage, the

lowest homes near the waterways, as well as secondary roads and

streets near the river, were in danger of flooding and were

expected to be dangerous to motorists.

Many persons along the river began

evacuation preparedness arrangements Wednesday night when initial

reports indicated major flooding in all but the highest parts of

the county.

The San Marcos River in Luling was well

above flood stage by Wednesday afternoon, swelling to almost 33

feet, which was 13 feet above flood stage. It is expected to recede

to near normal levels by Saturday morning. The Guadalupe River

flooding in Gonzales surpassed the Luling flood stage by up to four

feet.

In anticipation of the Guadalupe River

exceeding flood stage, the NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction

Service issued the following scenarios as to what to expect as the

river surpassed the 31-foot mark.

At 31 feet (flood stage), minor lowland

flooding begins to enter Independence Park south of the

spillway.

At 34 feet, pastureland northwest of

Gonzales between the Guadalupe and San Marcos rivers is flooded.

The lowest areas of Independence Park flood.

By the time the river level hits 37 feet,

moderate lowland flooding would inundate pasture and cropland

between the Guadalupe and San Marcos River confluence and Gonzales.

Secondary roads, low bridges and much of Independence Park and

facilities near the Guadalupe River in Gonzales are flooded.

At 40 feet, moderate lowland flooding

inundates a large area of pastureland northwest of Gonzales between

the Guadalupe and San Marcos rivers. Highway 183 has water going

over the bridge, likely closing the highway. Much of Independence

Park in Gonzales is flooded, with lowest areas under up to 9 feet

of water. Many secondary roads in the flood plain are flooded and

closed.

In the original forecast of the river

reaching 43 feet, major flooding would have closed highways 183 and

97, and FM 108 as runoff from Tinsley Creek in Gonzales would have

added to the Guadalupe River backwater, causing flooding of the

lowest homes near the creek. Secondary roads and streets near the

river would also flood and be dangerous to motorists.

At 45 feet, the river flow reaches the floor

of the old power plant and to the slab of the electric plant. Water

is several feet deep in the baseball park and concession buildings

in Independence Park. Flooding is several miles wide in the flood

plain just northwest of Gonzales. Flow approaches lower homes in

the Tinsley Creek flood plain in Gonzales as the Guadalupe River

backs up. Any flow down Tinsley Creek over the backflow can flood

homes.

At 48 feet, the flow passes through the

windows of the old power plant. All highways into town are flooded

except Highway 97 north. Nearly all Independence Park is under

several feet of water. The flood plain northwest of Gonzales below

the Guadalupe-San Marcos Rivers confluence is several miles wide.

The lowest homes along miles of Tinsley Creek are flooded as the

Guadalupe River backs into it.

The record for the Guadalupe River in

Gonzales is 50.44 feet, which occurred Oct. 17-18, 1998. It is the

highest level ever reached since recordkeeping began in 1905.