Harris County Commissioners Court approved a $1.4 million agreement with engineering firm Jones & Carter in July 2020 to provide the implementation plan with project recommendations.
Jonathan St. Romain, a department manager with the Harris County Flood Control District, presented key findings from the report at a Feb. 1 virtual meeting with community stakeholders. He said the plan recommended stormwater detention basins, which are designed to temporarily store excess stormwater and are more cost-effective than channel modifications.
The study evaluated 49 total sites for potential stormwater detention basins and narrowed it down to 23 basins distributed throughout 11 areas along Cypress Creek. Factors weighed the prioritization process included in flood risk reduction; level of service and existing condition; project efficiency; social vulnerability index; partnership funding; long-term maintenance cost; environmental effects; and potential for multiple benefits.
Ultimately, 22 of the 23 sites were recommended in the prioritization process with an estimated total cost of $597.1 million. According to the report, these basins combined would hold about 12,800 acre-feet—or 4.17 billion gallons—of excess stormwater.
St. Romain said property acquisition on the sites the HCFCD does not already own has already been taking place, and it will continue as these projects are under development.
See the full report below:
