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Clear Creek Federal Project Status Update

In an effort to keep the community informed about the Harris County Flood Control District’s work in the Clear Creek watershed, we want to provide you updated information regarding the Clear Creek Federal Project.

In 2019, the Flood Control District took over as the lead agency for the Clear Creek Federal Project, working in close collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The project is currently undergoing preliminary design, and as part of that stage the Flood Control District is updating and optimizing the flood risk mitigation plans laid out in the General Re-Evaluation Report (GRR), approved by the USACE in 2013, to accurately reflect current conditions. This work includes upgrading the project’s Hydrologic & Hydraulic (H&H) model to the latest modeling software and revising the land use and topographic information to consider the recent development that has occurred in this fast-growing area.

In line with the plan laid out in the GRR, Flood Control District is currently preparing the preliminary design report and completing new H&H modeling in order to reflect current conditions, provide maximum flood risk mitigation benefits with the applicable regulations and policies, and complete the project within the dollars appropriated. As project teams work to prepare the preliminary design report, three key priorities are guiding the work:

  • Must keep within the authorized budget.
  • Must maximize flood risk reduction benefits.
  • Must be a fully mitigated solution, both hydraulically and environmentally.

The Flood Control District is a “No Adverse Impact” agency, meaning improvements made in one part of the watershed cannot increase the flood risk in another part of the watershed. No adverse impact is also required for compliance with receipt of Federal funds and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

 

Upcoming Milestones
Although subject to change as the H&H modeling and the preliminary design report* are finalized, the anticipated schedule at this time is as follows:

  • Summer 2021 – Continue H&H modeling, field topographic surveys and environmental and geotechnical assessments.
  • Fall 2021 – Finalize H&H models and documentation and prepare the preliminary design report. Submit these materials to the USACE for acknowledgement.

The projected completion date for the entire Clear Creek Federal Project is 2028, though both the Flood Control District and the USACE are continuously looking for opportunities to accelerate project delivery.

The Flood Control District will continue to share updates as the project moves forward. To sign up for updates, ask questions or read additional information, visit www.hcfcd.org/C03.

*The preliminary design report will include the preliminary design plan, the document that will identify proposed right-of-way needs for the Clear Creek Federal Project. As of June 2021, the proposed channel grading and alignment are still under evaluation, meaning the extent of impacted properties and right-of-way needs have not been finalized at this time. It is the Flood Control District’s goal to minimize right-of-way acquisition whenever possible, but if it is determined that all or part of a landowner’s property will be impacted by the Clear Creek Federal Project, they will be contacted to discuss next steps. While we do not know the exact date for the preliminary design report to be finished, completion is currently expected during fall 2021.