A public hearing Thursday in Georgetown will have information on the draft results of a flood protection planning study to identify flood-prone areas and develop mitigation strategies in areas of Burnet and Williamson counties.

Thursday’s hearing, which will be the final scheduled public meeting before the Georgetown-San Gabriel River Flood Protection Planning Study is completed, will begin at 6 p.m. at the Georgetown Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Ave., Georgetown.


The study focuses on hazard mitigation in the Berry Creek, Mankins Branch, Pecan Branch, Smith Branch, North Fork San Gabriel River, Middle Fork San Gabriel River, South Fork San Gabriel River and San Gabriel River watersheds. Those areas account for about one-quarter of Williamson County's total land area and about one-fifth of Burnet County's land area.


Watersheds included in the draft study have seen continued flooding problems ranging from localized storms to Tropical Storm Hermine in 2010. The draft study proposes 62 mitigation projects to address flooding issues in the watersheds and puts a total construction cost estimate for all of the projects at more than $349 million.


The hearing will include a presentation from consulting engineer Doucet and Chan and time for attendees to ask questions about the study’s draft results as well as potential mitigation procedures such as drainage maintenance and future drainage projects, according to a news release.

The study’s development is made possible through a partnership between Georgetown, the cities of Leander and Liberty Hill, Williamson County, and the Texas Water Development Board.

Draft results of the study are available online at http://files.georgetown.org/flood-protection-planning-study.