Poor Farm Ditch flood project to be constructed in 500-foot segments to minimize impact to residents

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect more up-to-date information.

To minimize inconvenience for residents during the upcoming Poor Farm Ditch flood repair project, the construction work slated to start in late spring or early summer will be executed in smaller, segmented parts.

Officials from the Harris County Flood Control District and West University Place discussed the plan during the Feb. 9 City Council meeting.

What residents should know

Scott Elmer, chief partnerships and programs officer with the HCFCD, explained during the meeting that to minimize impact on residents and traffic, construction will occur at one 500-foot section at a time, with each section being completed before contractors can move to the next one.

The entire project spans approximately 3,100 feet in total, which breaks down into six sections. The timeline for each segment will vary due to the conditions of each segment, a city spokesperson said.

“By breaking it into smaller sections as we go, we believe, it will enable us to minimize the impact that we have on a community rather than by taking down all the fences, all the concrete at one time,” Elmer said.

Elmer noted that this approach would help minimize disruptive traffic issues. During construction, a 6-foot chain-link fence with mesh will also be installed along the project’s barriers to provide separation between the construction and homeowners, city officials said.

By the numbers

According to city officials, some residents may be directly impacted by construction, including:

• 33 properties directly adjacent to the ditch
• 9 properties with encroachment issues
• 6 of the encroachment properties were six feet or less

About the project

The flood mitigation project will reconstruct the Poor Farm Ditch in the Brays Bayou Watershed to address its failing concrete lining. The project will cost an estimated $32.5 million and is funded by West U, Southside Place, Harris County, state and federal funding.

What’s next?

Though no official start date was announced, officials said the bid and finalized stages still need to take place, and the project is expected to begin summer of 2026. However, Elmer mentioned that the specific timeline could shift, potentially reducing the impact on residents or allowing for a quicker project completion.

The entire project is expected to be completed by 2030.