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Comal County demonstrates new low‑water crossing maps and high‑water warning system after Tuesday storms
Summary
County staff showed the public-facing road‑closure map, low‑water crossing cameras and a high‑water warning system; staff cited a Cibolo Creek peak flow and a rapid 45‑minute rise that overtopped one crossing by about 2 feet.
Comal County roads staff demonstrated recent installations of low‑water crossing sensors, cameras and a high‑water warning system and described how those systems performed during a heavy rain event Tuesday night.
County Transportation and Public Works staff displayed the county’s public road‑closures map and described a low‑water crossing on Waco Springs Loop that was shown as closed on the website and confirmed in the field. Staff said the site’s flashing lights activated, and county crews placed barricades to prevent vehicles from attempting the crossing.
Staff cited a Cibolo Creek measurement at Boerne that peaked at 6,070 cubic feet per second (CFS) at about 6:15 a.m. the morning after the storm. The presenter said a camera and depth sensor at a shared crossing on Blanco Road recorded a water depth change from about 8 inches below the edge of pavement to approximately 25 inches over the edge of pavement in roughly 45 minutes; the presentation included still images captured by the system.
County staff also described a high‑water warning and siren system for areas upstream and downstream of Canyon Lake that is configured to sound when water reaches preset elevations; staff said those sirens were not triggered during the recent event but that the county tests the warning system roughly monthly.
Why it matters: the sensors and real‑time map provide both field crews and the public with rapid, camera‑verified information about flood conditions at low‑water crossings, potentially reducing vehicle crossings during dangerous high‑water events.
Additional context and follow up
Staff named county personnel who worked on the system and said the county plans to make the camera and depth images available to the public through its website. County commissioners praised road crews for removing fallen trees after the storm and for promptly installing barricades where needed.
Ending
No policy action was taken; the presentation was informational and staff said they will continue monthly tests of the high‑water warning system and make site imagery available online.
