San Jacinto River Watershed Virtual Meeting Tonight Will Unveil Specific Recommendations to Reduce Flooding

I can’t urge you enough to watch the San Jacinto Watershed Master Drainage Plan Meeting tonight at 6:30.

Flooded Street by Julie Yandell. During Harvey. — *Flooded Street during Harvey. Photo by Julie Yandell.*

Updating of River Models Leads to New Insights

I previewed the presentation this morning and was extremely impressed. The study partners have updated or created hydraulic and hydrologic models for 535 miles of major streams in the river basin. They’ve also integrated the models and accounted for new developments across 3000 square miles in seven counties.

As a result, we now have a much better understanding of:

Where water comes from
Which areas have the highest potential for flooding
Where large regional detention basins can be placed to reduce flooding.
Other strategies to reduce flooding.

New Flood Maps, Sedimentation, Better Warning Systems

You don’t want to hear about this stuff second hand. The presentation also includes discussions of:

How much flood plains have really expanded compared to current FEMA maps.
Sedimentation and strategies to reduce it
Improving flood warning systems

If you’re flooded, or are concerned that you might, don’t miss this. This study will be the cornerstone of grants applications to mitigate flooding in the region.