Williamson County installs flood monitoring stations

Williamson County is working to improve its flood monitoring ability as staff recently installed three remote, automated weather stations throughout the region, with plans for another station underway.

The overview

Candi Semple, Williamson County Emergency Services project manager, said during an April 16 Williamson County Commissioners Court meeting the county is implementing a comprehensive program to improve its flood monitoring ability.

So far, staff have installed three weather stations throughout the county, including at the Southwest Williamson County Regional Park, River Ranch County Park and Hidden Springs Ranch. Semple said the county also plans to install a station at Granger Lake but first needs approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

She said these stations measure wind, rain, temperature and humidity to determine where possible flooding may take place downstream. The stations can also measure the amount of moisture in the surrounding wood and other material, which allows staff to better predict the potential for wildfire.

The project was approved by 2019 voter-approved road bonds.

What they’re saying

“Not today, but there will be a day that we’re able to look at this data and we will know that it saved a life,” Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said.