Flood Control District recommends $28.2M drainage improvement project for Taylor Gully

Harris County Flood Control District officials are recommending an approximately $28.2 million drainage project aimed at reducing flooding around Taylor Gully—a channel in northeast Kingwood credited with exacerbating area flooding twice in 2019.

Officials noted the project is being funded through the district’s $2.5 billion flood bond, which was approved by Harris County voters one year after Hurricane Harvey in August 2018.

HCFCD officials outlined the affected area during a Dec. 14 public input meeting, noting the channel flows from west to east, bordering Montgomery County to the northwest and running east toward Mills Branch and Caney Creek in Harris County.

“This area is mostly developed and primarily comprised of single-family residences within the Elm Grove, Mills Branch and North Kingwood Forest subdivisions,” HCFCD’s Engineering Division Manager Melissa Meyer said.

According to Meyer, the recommended improvements would include a concrete-lined, low-flow channel within the existing channel to expand conveyance from 350 feet downstream of Creek Manor Drive to 1,500 feet downstream of Mills Branch Drive.

Additionally, the project would include an estimated 413-acre-foot detention basin on the northern portion of the site, which Meyer said would be necessary to complete the improvements to Taylor Gully.

Meyer noted the project is estimated to remove approximately 116 acres—including 276 structures and 8 miles of roadways—from the 100-year flood plain.

HCFCD officials noted once preliminary engineering is completed on the project, officials will begin the process of acquiring the necessary right of way.