About the District

The Harris County Flood Control District (the District) is a special purpose district created by the Texas Legislature in 1937 and governed by Harris County Commissioners Court.

Flood Damage Reduction Tools

The Harris County Flood Control District utilizes a number of techniques, or primary "tools," to reduce flood damages throughout the county. Generally speaking, these tools are implemented in flood damage reduction projects.

• Structural Tools
• Non-Structural Tools
• Infrastructure Maintenance

Harris County's Flooding History

A major flood occurs somewhere in Harris County about every two years. Most of the flooding is in areas developed prior to the current understanding of flood potential and prior to regulations restricting construction in flood-prone areas.

• Hurricane Harvey
• Spring Floods 2016
• Hurricane Ike 2008
• Tropical Storm Allison 2001

Flooding and Floodplains

Did you know that everyone lives in a flood zone? You don't need to live near water to be flooded. Learn more about the ways that geography and the environment affect your flood risk, and get information about the Harris County drainage network.

• Drainage Network
• Benefits of Flood Damage Reduction

Partnership Funding

Partnerships with federal and state agencies, local communities, and private interests play a vital role in funding many of the projects completed by the Flood Control District.

• CDBG-MIT Grant Applications

2018 Bond Program

On August 25, 2018, Harris County voters approved $2.5 billion in bonds to finance flood damage reduction projects. This additional funding, together with other funding sources, supports a wide variety of recovery and resiliency initiatives.

• Prioritization Framework
• Project Lifecycle
• 2018 Bond Program FAQ
• Completed Bond ID Summaries

Capital Improvement Program

Capital projects include those major projects that reduce flooding risks and damages by increasing stormwater conveyance capacity in bayous and drainage channels, or by excavating stormwater detention basins. Stormwater detention basins reduce flooding risks and damages during heavy rain events by safely storing excess stormwater and slowly releasing it back to the bayou when the threat of flooding has passed.

• Subdivision Drainage Projects

Maintenance Programs

Along with mowing and routine maintenance of the county’s 2,500 miles of channel, dozens of stormwater detention basins and thousands of buyout lots, the Flood Control District conducts major maintenance to repair damage caused by storms and erosion.

• Property Management Program
• Abandoned Bridge Program
• Vegetation Management
• Tree Planting Program
• Major Maintenance Projects
• NRCS-HCFCD Partnership Repair Program
• Emergency Repairs - COMPLETED

Additional Programs

Harris County Flood Control District’s activities have diversified since its creation in 1937. From tree planting and environmental programs to Voluntary Home Buyouts and more, these additional programs help the Flood Control District fully meet its mission.

• Development Coordination and Inspection
• LOMR Review Program
• MAAPnext Development Program
• Property Acquisition Program
• UAS and The Flood Control District
• Watershed Environmental Baseline (W.E.B.) Program
• Wetland Mitigation Banks
• Stormwater Quality
• Home Buyout Program
• Floodplain Preservation

Active Projects

The Flood Control District builds and maintains numerous capital and major maintenance projects throughout the county. These projects are organized, coordinated and managed with respect to the watersheds they benefit.

• Countywide or Multi-Watershed
• Addicks Reservoir
• Armand Bayou
• Barker Reservoir
• Brays Bayou
• Buffalo Bayou
• Carpenters Bayou
• Cedar Bayou
• Clear Creek
• Cypress Creek
• Greens Bayou
• Halls Bayou
• Hunting Bayou
• Jackson Bayou
• Little Cypress Creek
• Luce Bayou
• San Jacinto River
• San Jacinto & Galveston Bay
• Sims Bayou
• Spring Creek
• Spring Gully & Goose Creek
• Vince Bayou
• White Oak Bayou
• Willow Creek

Storm Center

Stay informed and prepared! Whenever the forecast calls for possible heavy rainfall, Houston and Harris County residents are urged to monitor weather conditions, and to pay close attention to road conditions on their daily travel routes.

• Flood Warning System
• Report House Flooding
• Preparing for a Storm

Interactive Mapping Tools

Interactive Mapping Tools keep the residents of Harris County and the City of Houston informed, helps Flood Control District employees do their jobs and, most importantly, help us fulfill our mission to provide flood damage reduction projects that work, with appropriate regard for community and natural values.

• Harris County Flood Education
• Mowing Schedule Explained
• Active Construction Projects
• BMPbase - Regional BMP Database
• Model and Map Management (M3) System
• Harris County Floodplain Reference Marks

Education Materials

Access resources for educating yourself and others about Harris County's waterways.

• Clean Waterways
• Regional Public Education Services Program
• School-Age information materials

Technical Manuals

• All Technical Manuals
• 12 Month Bid Outlook
• 2019 Land Surveying Guidelines
• Application to Discharge (2011)
• 2019 Atlas 14 Policy Criteria and Procedures Manual (PCPM)
• Cad Standards Manual
• Channel System - Unit Numbers
• Construction Unit Pay Items (Quarterly) - Project Bidding
• Design Guidelines for HCFCD Wet Bottom Detention Basins With Water Quality Features
• Design Manual for Articulating Concrete Block Systems
• Development Coordination and Inspection
• Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan (2011)
• Harris County Low Impact Development Design Criteria Manual
• Hydrology and Hydraulics Guidance Manual
• Little Cypress Creek Interim Guidelines
• Little Cypress Creek Master Drainage Plan
• Lomr Delegation
• Model and Map Management System
• Natural Stable Channel Design
• Ordinary High Water Mark Manual
• Previously Approved Submittals Reference Book
• Quality Assurance / Quality Control
• Standard Specifications & Related Drawings
• Supplemental Guidelines and Criteria for Developing in the Addicks Reservoir Watershed, Barker Reservoir Watershed and the Cypress Creek Watershed Upstream of Us 290
• Upper Langham Creek Development Guidelines
• Watershed Coordination

Downloads

Glossary

FAQ

Community Engagement and Public Meetings

Visit this page to get information about upcoming and completed community engagement and public meetings. In light of ongoing public health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Flood Control District all meetings will be hosted virtually.

Contact Us

Send us your comments and questions, sign up for news and alerts, report an issue, request service, or just let us know how we're doing.

• General Inquiries
• Service Request
• Community Satisfaction Survey
• Floodplain Administrators
• Harris County Phone Directory
• Sign Up for News
• Public Information Requests

Community Services Program

Plant trees, beautify neighborhoods and public areas, get to know fellow residents, and learn more about outreach programs in your community.

Press Room

Stay informed with the latest news and public announcements from the Harris County Flood Control District. In addition to formal press releases, you can also follow us on social media for project status updates, flood watch advisories, and more.

• Press Room
• The Watermark Newsletter
• Media Requests
• Contact Our Communications Team

Work With Us

Prospective job seekers as well as contractors and consultants will find all the tools they need. You can search for open positions and access resources for working with the Flood Control District, here.