Texas Border Business
March 28, 2025 – South Texas- According to an agreement released by Dr. Maria-Elena Giner, P.E., Commissioner of the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC), the U.S. Section actively monitors and responds to localized flooding impacting communities along the Rio Grande in South Texas.
The Lower Rio Grande Flood Control Project team has mobilized in the region, collaborating closely with county and local partners to mitigate the effects of recent flooding events. Crews are patrolling levees to ensure that floodgate structures are properly positioned, facilitating adequate drainage of localized runoff into designated floodways.
To manage standing water, controlled pumping over the levees is being allowed. However, specific precautions are being enforced: appropriate hose lengths and plastic liners must be used to maintain the structural integrity of the levees and avoid erosion or damage.
Dr. Giner emphasized that the floodways are currently functioning within their design capacity. “Flows are primarily constrained to the pilot channel and will recede over time,” she noted, reassuring the public that the system is performing as intended.
The USIBWC is also coordinating with Mexico, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the National Weather Service’s West Gulf River Forecast Center to manage flows along the mainstem of the Rio Grande. If conditions require, the agency is prepared to divert excess floodwaters into Mexico’s floodway system via the Retamal Dam, just upstream of Progreso, Texas.
At this time, Dr. Giner confirmed that flows remain well within the operational limits of the USIBWC’s Lower Rio Grande Flood Control Project. She encouraged residents to stay informed through their local National Weather Service offices for updates on river projections, warnings, and safety alerts.
For further updates, the public is advised to monitor local advisories and cooperate with emergency management officials as needed.
