Crenshaw Secures $3.2 Million for Final Engineering of Two Kingwood Flood-Mitigation Projects
U.S. Representative Dan Crenshaw helped secure another $3.2 million dollars for two crucial Kingwood flood-mitigation projects. The money is part of two EPA grants, each for $1.6 million. And they will cover final engineering for the Taylor Gully/Woodridge Village and Kingwood Diversion Ditch flood-mitigation projects.
80:20 Matching Grants from EPA
The EPA will pay 80% of each project’s costs and HCFCD will pay the remaining 20% ($400,000 each), according to transmittals to Harris County Commissioners Court for the 10/28/24 meeting.
Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) is asking Commissioners to approve acceptance of the grants, as they obligate the county to spend $800,000 from the 2018 Flood Bond.
Four years ago this week, the Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis identified these two projects as the two most important in the Kingwood Area. The projects will increase conveyance and reduce floodplains. In the meantime, HCFCD completed preliminary engineering plans on each project.
Projects’ Scope, Goals
Anticipated deliverables for both projects include final engineering plans and supporting documents for hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) analyses.
The scope includes identification of proposed alternatives and recommendation of one for final design, based on a detailed alternative analysis.
The EPA says the plans should lead to:
- Conveyance improvements
- Budget refinements for future funding assistance requests
- Reduction in floodplain impacts during severe weather events
- Improved resilience.
Anticipated Taylor Gully Benefits
HCFCD expects the Taylor Gully improvements will reduce riverine flood risk for the residents of Elm Grove, Mills Branch, North Kingwood Forest and Woodstream Village. It could reduce the 100-year floodplain by 116 acres, remove 276 structures from the floodplain, and lower floodwaters for structures still in the floodplain.
Anticipated Diversion Ditch Benefits
HCFCD expects the project will benefit structures in the vicinity of Bens Branch with additional reduction in street flooding. The Flood Control District also expects that this project will reduce the 100-year floodplain by 223 acres, remove up to 69 structures from the floodplain, and lower flood levels for structures still in the floodplain.
The alternative to not applying for grant funding? Flood risks will remain in place or the project will need to be funded locally.
The grants are items #256 and #257 on Tuesday’s Commissioners Court agenda.
Deadlines
Supporting documents do not address deadlines, which could come into play here unless HCFCD makes changes in other grant applications.
The Woodridge Village project includes the creation of two detention basins to reduce floodwater entering Taylor Gully.
However, the Woodridge detention basins are currently part of a disaster relief (DR) application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. If they remain in the group of DR applications, there may not be time to complete the engineering study and construction before the construction deadline.
Rumor has it that HCFCD may be working on moving the Woodridge Project into the flood-mitigation category which has more time before construction must be completed.
However, I saw no mention of that on next week’s commissioner’s court agenda. Let’s hope they lock that down quickly.
Crenshaw’s Critical Role in Numerous Lake Houston Area Flood Projects
In the meantime, hats off to Congressman Dan Crenshaw. He has consistently succeeded in advocating for Kingwood and Lake Houston Area flood-mitigation projects. Among his other successes:
- $8 million for Taylor Gully improvements
- $8 million for Lake Houston Dam gates
- $10 million for Woodridge Stormwater Improvements
- $4 million for Walnut Lane Bridge Improvements over the Diversion Ditch
- $12 million for Ford Road Improvements
- $900 thousand for I-69 Southbound Frontage Road Drainage Improvements
- $3.6 million for Highland, Huffman and Crosby roadway and drainage improvements
- $1.12 million for FM1488 area street rehab and drainage improvements
- $10 million for Cedar Bayou stormwater detention basin
- $1.673 million for Huffman (Forest Manor) drainage improvements
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/25/24
2614 Days since Hurricane Harvey