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Property Management
"...and maintain the infrastructure"
That third facet of achieving the District's mission is crucial to continuing the successful implementation the flood damage reduction plan. It takes a well-coordinated team to properly maintain the massive drainage network that exists in Harris County - a $4 billion network that measures over 2,500 miles.
Considering that the District must maintain both sides of the more than 2,500 miles of bayous, creeks and tributary channels, plus stormwater detention basins inside and out, that maintenance totals over 5,000 miles... sometimes several times a year.
Private and In-house Efforts Get the Job Done
To help maintain the District's right-of-way within the county's 22 watersheds, our Facilities Maintenance Department, within the Infrastructure Division, usually relies on over a dozen subcontractors throughout the year for services such as mowing, vegetation promotion, specialized herbicide operations, selective tree clearing, tree trimming and removal, and watering. Approximately 18 District inspectors monitor the work of these contractors.
The District's Facilities Maintenance Department also manages two satellite service centers (North and South) - each one staffed by over 50 employees. These centers are responsible for maintenance activities similar to contract maintenance, with the added benefit of control and flexibility. The in-house employees handle specialized and sensitive activities the District feels more comfortable doing internally. These in-house capabilities also allow the District to act quickly during emergencies, such as clean up and damage assessment after floods and de-snag operations in blocked channels.
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Like Mowing a Giant Lawn
Much of the 2,500 miles of infrastructure that needs maintaining must be mowed. The District focuses the mowing efforts in three annual mowing cycles. These three annual cycles commence in April, again in July, and are completed with the final cycle that starts in October. When we anticipate being in various areas of the county for mowing and other general maintenance activity, maintenance reminder cards are sent to residents and businesses that are in close proximity to channels and stormwater detention basins. This keeps the citizens informed and ensures taxpayers that their dollars are being effectively spent.
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More than Mowing
There is, however, much more to properly maintaining the drainage infrastructure than mowing side slopes on channels and stormwater detention basins. The District uses a full range of equipment and methods to maintain the county's vast drainage network.
Wooded areas along and within the network must also be managed and maintained. That includes selective clearing to ease the strain on capacity caused by growth that may be too dense. On the other hand, the District also promotes new areas of tree growth, where needed, with regular tree plantings. Thousands of trees are planted annually within the drainage infrastructure.
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Herbicide Sparingly and Safely Used
New technologies for controlling undesirable vegetation and pests are constantly studied by District personnel. As a result, the latest and safest products are made available to our maintenance crews. When necessary, the District may selectively target certain species, such as Johnson grass and other undesirable plants, as part of our environmentally safe herbicide program. Citizens can expect to see selected species turning brown a few weeks after application, followed by a resurgence of vegetation that is beneficial to our infrastructure - helping to control erosion, while enhancing the beauty of our bayous and creeks. Whenever herbicide must be used, the products we utilize are approved by the EPA and are designed to work only on targeted plants. The District takes special care to ensure proper handling, according to all applicable State and Federal Regulations. Applicators are properly trained and licensed. The products we use are safe.
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Keeping Tabs on the Entire Infrastructure
The area geography, geology and overall lay of the land is regularly monitored and studied with the best technology available, which enables the property management teams to pinpoint and more efficiently address any areas of concern. New areas of urban development are also closely observed to ensure that the integrity of the drainage infrastructure is not threatened and that residents and business in other areas are not adversely affected. With the successful mix of technology and manpower, we can "help nature help itself" by easing certain areas back to a more natural state, ultimately saving taxpayer dollars, while preserving or enhancing the aesthetics of the drainage network.
Just as crucial to the success of our teams in the field is the open line of communication we have with the public via the Citizen Service Center. Given the sheer size of the infrastructure, it's impossible for our teams to be all places at all times, so input from citizens provides another front for addressing maintenance needs. Contact the Citizen Service Center to report an area of concern. Before contacting, see the Maintenance & Service Requests FAQs.
Reducing Maintenance, Saving Taxpayer Dollars, Beautifying the Area
Incorporating the maintenance practices developed from the District's comprehensive Vegetation Management Program results in numerous benefits to the broader community. One of the most significant benefits is the fact that - by introducing the proper mix of grasses, wildflowers and tree species along the 2,500 miles of channels - we can reduce, and even eliminate, the need for mechanical cutting by District personnel in some instances. If we can reduce the need to maintain that 5,000 mile lawn, thus reducing the area requiring cost-intensive labor, we can, in turn, direct these cost savings and other assets at improving our operations elsewhere.
With the collective input of departments and programs within the District's Infrastructure Division, this is how we successfully maintain the infrastructure... and we're doing it all with appropriate regard for community and natural values.
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Beautifying the Infrastructure Also Saves Taxpayer Dollars
By introducing wildflowers, native grasses and tree species along certain areas within the 2,500-mile drainage infrastructure, the Harris County Flood Control District is able to reduce and sometimes eliminate the need for mechanical cutting. This saves taxpayer dollars and also allows the District to direct these cost savings toward other flood damage reduction efforts.
Technology Helps Us
Help Nature
Maintaining and inventorying the District's $4 billion infrastructure is streamlined by using new technology such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and remote sensors can help us determine locations that lack canopy coverage, allowing the District to study the long term effects of selective clearing and reforestation operations. Other tools like digital cameras and handheld field computers can help speed up and enhance the inspection and documentation process.
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