Newsroom

Wednesday 29,2020

With the first of two remaining construction segments set to begin in fall 2020, the White Oak Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project is expected to be completed in 2021. Construction on the first 10-mile stretch of White Oak Bayou from Hollister Road upstream to F.M. 1960 includes excavation work to widen and deepen White Oak Bayou. Additional work includes replacing and modifying drainage pipes that direct stormwater into the bayou.

The White Oak Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project is a multi-year, $124 million project intended to reduce flooding risks along White Oak Bayou. Started in 1998, the project is in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with the Flood Control District designated as the lead. This partnership, made possible by Section 211(f) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996, allows the Flood Control District to work hand-in-hand with the federal government to leverage local tax dollars.

“This extensive project focuses on reducing the risk of flooding along White Oak Bayou - a very real and constant concern for the neighborhoods that have been hard hit by repeated weather events over the years,” said County Judge Lina Hidalgo. “The completion of this 10-mile stretch will help us deliver on the promises we made to voters who approved this investment. We look forward to sharing project updates with the community throughout the duration of this work.”

A virtual community engagement meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4, 2020 from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. to provide area residents and businesses an update on the project. The meeting will begin with a brief presentation to share project updates, followed by a moderated Q&A session with Flood Control District team members. Residents will be able to submit questions and comments throughout the presentation. Any comments not addressed during the Q&A session will receive a response after the event.

“The City of Jersey Village has worked closely with the Flood Control District over the past several years to move this project forward,” said Andrew Mitcham, Jersey Village Mayor. “We are excited the project is out to bid, and look forward to having a great community meeting to learn more about the timeline and benefits of this project.”

The meeting can be accessed by logging onto www.PublicInput.com/WhiteOakFederalPhase1 or by phone at 866-925-2801 using Meeting Code: 9651

“Projects like the White Oak flood reduction project are perfect examples of what can happen when governments at all levels work together to protect our constituents’ lives and property,” said Commissioner R. Jack Cagle. “I encourage everyone affected by the project to participate in the virtual community engagement meeting to get their questions answered.”

To learn more about the White Oak Bayou Federal Project, and sign up for email updates, please visit www.hcfcd.org/C14.