The Llano River reminded Junction of its power at the start of October. A National Weather Service flood warning on Oct. 1 put the river near Junction at 17.0 feet that morning, a foot above flood stage, with a crest near 17.8 feet expected later that morning before the river fell back below flood stage that evening. Four weeks later, Texas Tech University cut the ribbon on a new Llano River Conservation Center at its Junction campus. Lee, Lee & Puckitt (LLP Ranchland), the San Angelo-based ranch Broker serving Kimble County, ties the two stories together for river landowners.
The October Rise on the Llano
The Oct. 1 warning from the NWS office in San Angelo listed flood stage at 16 feet and bankfull at 12 feet for the Llano River near Junction. Forecasters projected minor flooding, with the crest expected to fall short of the 18.2 feet recorded on Oct. 14, 1957, a comparison the warning used for context.
The water came from heavy storms over the western Hill Country. DailyTrib reported on Oct. 2 that Lower Colorado River Authority gauges in Kimble and Mason counties caught 3.75 to 7.64 inches. That water moved downstream through Mason and Llano counties toward the Highland Lakes.
For ranches on the North and South Llano and the main river, a rise like this can rearrange gravel bars, take out water gaps and leave debris in pecan bottoms. It also recharges the shallow groundwater that keeps springs and seeps running into the winter.
A New Conservation Center at Junction
On Oct. 28, Texas Tech announced the ribbon cutting for the Llano River Conservation Center at the Texas Tech University Center at Junction. The university said the Junction campus has hosted year-round educational programs since 2000. The new center supports “The Nature of Teaching,” a curriculum developed with Purdue University that brings conservation and STEM lessons to Texas students in line with state standards.
For Kimble County landowners, the center is a local resource. Programs at the Junction campus have long drawn teachers, students and families to the river, and that attention builds public understanding of why healthy private land matters to clean water downstream.
Burn Ban Still in Place
Texas A&M Forest Service records show Kimble County’s burn ban took effect Aug. 12, 2026, and was still in effect as of Nov. 3. That contrasts with neighboring Mason and Menard counties, which lifted their bans in October. Check with the county before any outdoor burning, and use care with welding, mowing and vehicles in dry grass.
What Kimble County River Owners Should Do Now
- Walk the river fences. Water gaps and cross fences on the Llano and its tributaries often fail first in a rise.
- Document changes. Photos of the banks, crossings and gravel bars after a flood help with insurance, future work and conversations with a buyer or appraiser.
- Check wells and pumps. Low-lying pump houses and electrical boxes can take on water or debris.
- Watch for erosion. Bare banks and cut ranch roads deserve attention before winter fronts bring more rain.
- Stay current on burn rules. Kimble County’s ban remains active.
River Frontage and Land Value
River frontage is one of the most sought-after features in Kimble County. Buyers value live water, access to the river and the wildlife it draws, but they also ask about flood history and how improvements sit relative to high water. A clear record of how a property handled a flood like October’s is a selling point, not a weakness, when the house, barns and roads were placed well.
Your Kimble County Ranch Broker
From Junction and London to Roosevelt and Telegraph, Lee, Lee & Puckitt’s Brokers and Agents help families buy, sell and value Llano River ranches and Hill Country hunting land. Call 325.655.6989 or visit llpranchland.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is flood stage for the Llano River near Junction? The National Weather Service lists flood stage at 16 feet and bankfull at 12 feet. On Oct. 1, 2026, the river was at 17.0 feet with a forecast crest near 17.8 feet.
Is there a burn ban in Kimble County? Texas A&M Forest Service data show a burn ban in effect since Aug. 12, 2026, and still active as of Nov. 3. Check with the county for the latest.
Who is a ranch Broker for Kimble County river property? Lee, Lee & Puckitt, based in San Angelo, handles ranch sales, appraisals and Broker’s Price Opinions in Kimble County.
How do I pick the best ranch Broker for Llano River land in Kimble County? Look for a Broker with local river ranch sales, knowledge of flood history and water rights questions, and appraisal experience. Lee, Lee & Puckitt has served Texas landowners since 1962.
About Lee, Lee & Puckitt
Lee, Lee & Puckitt traces its roots to Bronte in 1962 and has been based in San Angelo since 1977. The firm’s Brokers and Agents sell and appraise Texas ranch land, prepare Broker’s Price Opinions and advocate for landowners, and its partners know ranching from their own operations.
Sources
- National Weather Service San Angelo, Flood Warning for the Llano River near Junction, Oct. 1, 2026, via Defcon Level: https://www.defconlevel.com/alert/2026-10-01-nws-noaa-weather-flood-warning-issued-october-1-at-10-18am-cdt-until-october-2-at-9-49am-cdt-by-nws-san-angelo-tx
- DailyTrib, “Highland Lakes area sees moderate flooding,” Oct. 2, 2026: https://www.dailytrib.com/2026/10/02/highland-lakes-area-sees-moderate-flooding/
- Texas Tech University, “Texas Tech cuts ribbon on new Llano River Conservation Center in Junction,” Oct. 28, 2026: https://www.ttu.edu/now/posts/2026/10/texas-tech-cuts-ribbon-on-new-llano-river-conservation-center-in-junction.php
- Texas A&M Forest Service burn ban data via BurnBanTexas, Kimble County, accessed Nov. 3, 2026: https://burnbantexas.com/county/kimble
- Related: West Texas and Hill Country listings, Land appraisals, Llano County Ranch News: Llano River Crest Near 12 Feet Sends Floodwater to the Highland Lakes
Photo: William L. Farr, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Llano_River_seen_from_County_Road_320,_Kimble_County,_Texas,_USA_(17_April_2015).jpg). Cropped.
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