Updated
Rio Grande
River
Live flow only — judge the water in person
Use cautionLive flow only — judge the water in person: live streamflow is available but no water-temperature sensor is nearby.
- Gage height 1.63 ft
Live, provisional data from USGS gauge Brazos Santiago Pass at South Padre Island, TX (7.7 mi away), as of Oct 29, 3:35 AM gauge-local time.
Why, sources & official advisories
- Live streamflow is available but no water-temperature sensor is nearby. — USGS gauge 08474395, as of Oct 29, 3:35 AM gauge-local time
- Low bacteria level at Boca Chica State Park (2.3 mi away). — Texas Beach Watch (Texas GLO), as of October 23, 2026
Official advisories
Low bacteria level at Boca Chica State Park, 2.3 mi — sampled October 23, 2026 (Texas Beach Watch (Texas GLO))
river originating in Colorado, flowing south through New Mexico, and forming part of the US-Mexico border along Texas until emptying into the Gulf of Mexico
Interactive map not available
What’s swimming here?
Fish recorded within 2 km: White Mullet, Bay Whiff, Spot and 41 more species.
44 fish species in 77 public records within 2 km of Rio Grande since 2000.
- White Mullet Mugil curema5 records · 2001
- Bay Whiff Citharichthys spilopterus4 records · 2001
- Spot Leiostomus xanthurus4 records · 2000
- Hardhead Sea Catfish Ariopsis felis3 records · 2026
- Broad-striped Anchovy Anchoa hepsetus3 records · 2001
- Scaled Sardine Harengula jaguana3 records · 2001
- Atlantic Lookdown Selene vomer3 records · 2001
- Atlantic Needlefish Strongylura marina3 records · 2001
Show all 40 species
- Common Snook Centropomus undecimalis3 records · 2000
- Yellow Fin Mojarra Gerres cinereus3 records · 2000
- Atlantic Bumper Chloroscombrus chrysurus2 records · 2001
- Darter Goby Ctenogobius boleosoma2 records · 2001
- Chain Pipefish Syngnathus louisianae2 records · 2001
- Silver Croaker Bairdiella chrysoura2 records · 2000
- Atlantic Spadefish Chaetodipterus faber2 records · 2000
- Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma2 records · 2000
- Black Drum Pogonias cromis2 records · 2000
- Red Drum Sciaenops ocellatus2 records · 2000
- Largehead Hairtail Trichiurus lepturus2 records · 2000
- Gafftopsail Sea Catfish Bagre marinus1 record · 2026
- Bay Anchovy Anchoa mitchilli1 record · 2001
- Gray Triggerfish Balistes capriscus1 record · 2001
- Gulf Menhaden Brevoortia patronus1 record · 2001
- Rough Triggerfish Canthidermis maculata1 record · 2001
- Spotfin Mojarra Eucinostomus argenteus1 record · 2001
- Bermuda Sea Chub Kyphosus sectatrix1 record · 2001
- Inland Silverside Menidia beryllina1 record · 2001
- Gulf Kingfish Menticirrhus littoralis1 record · 2001
- Leatherjacket Oligoplites saurus1 record · 2001
- Longfin Yellowtail Seriola rivoliana1 record · 2001
- Florida Pompano Trachinotus carolinus1 record · 2001
- Permit Trachinotus falcatus1 record · 2001
- Frillfin Goby Bathygobius soporator1 record · 2000
- Fat Sleeper Dormitator maculatus1 record · 2000
- Large-scaled Spinycheek Sleeper Eleotris amblyopsis1 record · 2000
- Flagfin Mojarra Eucinostomus melanopterus1 record · 2000
- Gulf Killifish Fundulus grandis1 record · 2000
- Naked Goby Gobiosoma bosc1 record · 2000
- Pinfish Lagodon rhomboides1 record · 2000
- Grey Snapper Lutjanus griseus1 record · 2000
+ 4 more with fewer records.
Data: GBIF.org occurrence records, CC0 and CC BY only (iNaturalist research-grade observations, Fishes of Texas Project, GBIF dataset). Common names: USGS NAS; GBIF.org (The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Checklist Dutch Caribbean Species Register). Non-native flags: USGS NAS. These are sightings and specimens people reported, not a survey: a fish missing from the list may still live here.
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Rio Grande?
- Rio Grande is a river in Texas.
- Can you swim at Rio Grande?
- Live flow only — judge the water in person: live streamflow is available but no water-temperature sensor is nearby. Checked October 29, 2026.
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Location & Contact
Texas
🌊 Best times & visiting tips
- ›Check water levels and current conditions before visiting
- ›Wear life jackets when on the water
- ›Be aware of rapids and potential hazards
- ›Respect private property along riverbanks
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