Heavy rainfall can temporarily increase flows and prompt access restrictions, but current conditions remain well below those thresholds. Under the City of New Braunfels’ real-time flow guidance, 100 to 500 cubic feet per second (cfs) is considered fully open for recreation, 500 to 600 cfs calls for extreme caution, and 600 cfs and above results in temporary closure.
Here are the levels heading into the Fourth of July weekend, according to U.S. Geological Survey data as of Thursday, July 2.
The Comal River remains in a steady summer pattern heading into the holiday weekend, with flows holding at 171 cubic feet per second (cfs) on Thursday, July 2, showing little change from earlier in the week.
Peak conditions for the week reached 173 cfs on Monday, June 30, At current levels, the Comal sits comfortably within the full recreation range of 100 to 500 cfs, supporting consistent tubing conditions with a moderate current, steady drift and predictable float times.
The San Marcos River continues to show highly stable conditions heading into the Fourth of July weekend, with flows at 104 cfs on Thursday, July 2, compared to a weekly peak of 106 cfs on Sunday, June 29.
At 104 cfs, conditions remain calm and predictable, producing a slow, steady float with clear water and a gentle current that is typical for early July recreation.
The Guadalupe River was flowing at 138 cubic feet per second (cfs) on Thursday, July 2, down from a weekly peak of 180 cfs on Friday, June 27.
That earlier peak reflected a brief increase in flow following upstream rainfall, though levels have since receded while remaining firmly within a normal summer recreation range.
At current readings, the river provides a moderate downstream push, with slightly faster movement in narrower stretches and more gradual flow in wider sections. Conditions remain consistent with typical early July tubing activity.
Heading into the Fourth of July holiday weekend, river conditions across Central Texas remain steady, predictable, and well within established recreational thresholds. Weekly peak flows remained relatively modest, 173 cfs on the Comal River, 106 cfs on the San Marcos River, and 180 cfs on the Guadalupe River, followed by stable or declining levels heading into the holiday weekend.