Some context
According to city documents, San Marcos submitted 14 Flood Infrastructure Fund applications in 2024—12 for flood management evaluations and two for flood mitigation projects; however, the TWDB asked the city to submit full applications for just three of them.
The first application seeks $1.9 million to develop new hydrologic and hydraulic models using Atlas 14 rainfall data, considered the de facto standard for designing infrastructure to withstand heavy rain and flooding, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Of the $1.9 million requested, about $1.43 million is for grants and $470,000 is for interest-free loans.
Gauges and warning systems
The second application requests $2.5 million to install 14 additional stream and rain gauges and to develop an early warning flood warning system.
Of the $2.5 million requested, about $1.9 million is for grants and $625,000 is for interest-free loans.
Dam safety evaluations
The third application seeks $380,000 to evaluate Upper San Marcos dams No. 4 and No. 5 on the San Marcos River, which are operated in partnership by the city, Hays County and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Of the $380,000 requested, about $285,000 is for grants and $95,000 is for interest-free loans.
All three applications are part of a yearslong effort to improve flood awareness and prevention from the city.
As previously reported by Community Impact, San Marcos has spent about $58 million over the past decade on drainage, floodwalls and other mitigation projects following the 2015 Memorial Day flood.
