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Greens Bayou Watershed
Greens Bayou watershed, showing project elements.
The Greens Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project
The Greens Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project is a partnership project between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) and the Harris County Flood Control District (the District). The Corps is the lead sponsor for this project.
Currently, the Corps and the District are engaged in a reevaluation of flood damage reduction measures for Greens Bayou. The new study is expected to be complete in 2004. This study will completely reevaluate options for federal financial participation in a flood damage reduction plan that was originally developed many years ago.
Project Cost
The original cost for the Greens Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project was estimated at $23.1 million.
Brief History of the Project
Projects like this are jointly funded by the Federal government and a local sponsor. Under the usual cost sharing arrangement, the Corps will manage, design and build the project, and the Harris County Flood Control District will buy land, easements, rights-of-way, relocate utilities, adjust bridges (except for railroads), then operate and maintain the project after construction.
The previously authorized project concentrates on the north and westernmost portion of the Greens Bayou Watershed. It includes an enlargement of Greens Bayou, vegetation clearing proposed an extensive amount of channel enlargement and tree and vegetation removal work from the mouth of Greens Bayou at the Houston Ship Channel to a point approximately 39 miles upstream near F.M. 249. It also included 4 large regional detention basins, tree and shrub plantings, and recreation features. The Harris County Flood Control District asked the Corps to consider another project that would have less environmental impact, take into consideration ongoing District projects and focus on areas with higher flood risks. The Corps agreed and initiated a General Reevaluation Study (GRR) in 1995. The GRR is due to be completed in early 2004.
Overview of the GRR Findings
The GRR is finding that the most favorable proposed project includes two features. The first is modifying a 3.7-mile section of Greens Bayou between Cutten Road and Veteran's Memorial. Trees will be preserved wherever possible, and after construction, additional native trees will be planted along the right-of-way and on earth benches constructed in the Greens Bayou channel. Grass will be reestablished on disturbed areas of the bottom and sides of the channel.
The second feature of the proposed project is the construction of a 108-acre stormwater detention basin. It will be bound generally by Antoine Road, the Sam Houston Tollway and a U-Haul facility, by the Briarcreek Subdivision and Greens Bayou. West Greens Drive will bisect the basin, dividing it into two parts, but it will function as a single flood damage reduction feature.
Trees and wildlife habitat will be preserved wherever possible. The new stormwater detention basin will include habitat and recreational features.
Native trees and grasses may be planted in and around the basin, with wetland plants installed in low areas as part of the landscaping. These features would create wildlife, water quality and recreation benefits.
Current Primary Goals of the Reevaluation
The primary intent of the reevaluation is to ensure that an effective, affordable and environmentally acceptable flood damage reduction project for Greens Bayou is found. Additional goals are to conduct necessary engineering, economic and environmental studies in a timely manner in order to establish a viable project that is acceptable to the public, the District and the Corps.
Regional Projects Complement the Greens Bayou Federal Project
Since 1986, the District has acquired seven regional stormwater detention basin sites in the Greens Bayou watershed, totaling 2,200 acres. Three have been completed or are being excavated. All are scheduled to be complete or have an initial phase completed in the next five years. Some limited channel modifications have been done in conjunction with some of the stormwater detention basins.
The District has spent $21 million on these projects since 1986 and is programming to spend another $20 million in the current annual 5-year CIP. In addition, the District has an active voluntary buyout program in association with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for homes that qualify and have flooded frequently or severely. By the end of 2003, it is anticipated that 720 homes will have been purchased for about $54 million along Greens Bayou as part of this program.
Your Input is Important to Us
Public input has been vital throughout the process. If you would like more information or would like to comment about the Greens Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project, please contact the local project sponsor at the District's federal project hotline at 713-684-4040, or contact the District via e-mail at hcfcd@hcfcd.org.
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The Greens Bayou Watershed
The Greens Bayou watershed is located in north Harris County and encompasses portions of the cities of Houston and Humble. The upper reach of Greens Bayou flows in an eastward direction and the lower reach flows southward into the Houston Ship Channel. The watershed covers about 212 square miles and includes four primary streams: Greens Bayou, Halls Bayou, Garners Bayou, Reinhardt Bayou. There are about 308 miles of streams, including the primary streams and tributary channels. The estimated population within the Greens Bayou watershed in 2000 was nearly 398,000.
Most of the watershed is highly developed. Some large areas between U.S. 59 and I-10 remain undeveloped. Construction of new residential and commercial developments is expected to continue in the northern and western regions of the watershed.
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