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From past floods to future strength, our two-part series explores how Brays Bayou’s story is one of change, resilience, and community progress.
(Read Part 1: Brays Bayou Through the Years: A History of Changes)
In the mid-1980s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducted watershed studies examining Brays Bayou and surrounding watersheds. Their findings concluded that a flood damage reduction project would provide significant benefits to the community, outweighing the costs. As a result, the Corps joined forces with the Harris County Flood Control District to begin work on what became the Brays Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project, now known as Project Brays.
Project Brays represents the largest flood damage reduction program undertaken by the Flood Control District to date. This multi-year, $480 million cooperative effort between the Flood Control District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers included more than 75 individual components to substantially reduce flooding risks in the Brays Bayou watershed.
The project widened 21 miles of Brays Bayou from the Houston Ship Channel to Fondren Road and from West Houston Center Boulevard to State Highway 6, replaced or modified 32 bridges (including two pedestrian bridges) to help stormwater move better through channels, and excavated four stormwater detention basins with a combined capacity of approximately 3.5 billion gallons of stormwater.
Completed in late 2022, Project Brays stands as a milestone achievement in flood risk reduction for the region. With advanced engineering and modern design approaches, this effort enhances stormwater movement in channels and storage capacity throughout the watershed. Residents and businesses along Brays Bayou will continue to benefit from the results of this historic partnership for years to come.
The Flood Control District is continuing to make historic progress in flood risk reduction projects and maintenance efforts thanks to voter support and dedicated staff. Stay informed by following us on social media.