The San Jacinto River Authority SJRA, the City of Houston, Harris County, and Montgomery County are partnering together on a grant to provide critical funding for the San Jacinto River Watershed Master Drainage Plan in the amount of $2,708,208.00. Harris County is the lead agency on the grant, which was accepted during yesterday's commissioner's court.
As the representative for Harris County, Harris County Flood Control District will work alongside the SJRA, Montgomery County, and the City of Houston to develop a comprehensive set of models for the entire Upper San Jacinto River watershed (including its major tributaries, from the headwaters in Walker County to the Interstate 10 crossing at the San Jacinto River in Harris County.) The models will use consistent, cohesive methodology and rainfall rates regardless of the county in which those channels are located. The study is expected to complete on or before January 2022, which will include community engagement meetings to gather public input and comments to further refine the study results.
This project will establish existing watershed conditions and analyze current flooding risks and vulnerabilities necessitating mitigation projects that may include large regional detention facilities,channel conveyance improvements, vegetation and sediment management activities, property buyouts, and recommendations for additional gauges at appropriate locations throughout the Upper San Jacinto River Watershed. The project will prioritize flood risk reduction strategies, quantify the mitigation implementation costs, and develop information to help improve public awareness of flood hazards along the major tributaries.
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