Getting Stormwater Back on Course in the Hunting Bayou Watershed

Sometimes, keeping stormwater moving the way it should means restoring its original path. Over time, erosion and sediment buildup can shift a channel, directing its flow off course. Realigning a channel helps bring it back to where it can carry stormwater more efficiently. That’s part of the work the Harris County Flood Control District is…

October 12, 20260Comments

Community Projects

Flood Resiliency: More Than What You See

The work of the Harris County Flood Control District goes far beyond the construction residents may see along a bayou or channel. Across Harris County, teams are planning projects, maintaining infrastructure, monitoring conditions, engaging with communities, and working to reduce flood risk. Executive Director Marcus Y. Stuckett, P.E., CFM, says helping residents better understand that…

October 2, 20260Comments

Projects

Repairs Address Erosion in the Carpenters Bayou Watershed

Slope failures along a short stretch of a tributary channel in the Carpenters Bayou watershed in east Harris County are getting the attention they need. Harris County Flood Control District maintenance crews are repairing several areas of severe erosion in the Cloverleaf neighborhood of Harris County Precinct 2, within Beltway 8 just south of Woodforest…

October 1, 20260Comments

Projects

Watering Trees in Summer: Helping Young Trees Beat the Texas Heat

Summer heat can be tough on newly planted trees, especially during long stretches with little rainfall. Across Harris County, the Harris County Flood Control District takes a hands-on approach to caring for young trees. Giving those trees the right amount of water during their first years helps them become established and better prepared for future…

September 29, 20260Comments

Projects

Clearing the Way Near Klein Cain High School

Near Klein Cain High School in Harris County Precinct 3, our maintenance crews recently worked across nearly 2,000 feet of channel to remove 1,200 cubic yards of sediment — about 120 dump trucks’ worth! This tributary of Cypress Creek was holding back around 2 feet of water due to heavy sediment buildup. Now, stormwater can…

September 28, 20260Comments

Projects

Major Channel Repairs Completed Along Spring Branch Creek

Most of our channels aren’t concrete-lined, but the 5% that are play a critical role in moving stormwater quickly when it matters most — and we just completed a major maintenance project on one of them in west Houston! Along Spring Branch Creek in the Buffalo Bayou watershed, between Bracher Street and Pech Road, our…

September 26, 20260Comments

Community Projects

Wildflower Planting Underway Across Harris County

The Harris County Flood Control District is planting wildflower seeds on more than 150 acres this season, which is equivalent to more than 100 football fields. Planting typically begins in November, but crews got an early start this year to help give residents a longer bloom season to enjoy. Blooms are expected to begin appearing…

September 24, 20260Comments

Community Projects

Commissioners Court Advances Flood Control Funding and Projects Across Harris County

Two Harris County Commissioners Court meetings in September included several actions that will help fund, maintain, and advance flood risk reduction projects across Harris County. On September 17, Commissioners Court unanimously approved a fiscal year 2027 Flood Control District general fund budget of approximately $266.2 million. Commissioners Court also unanimously adopted a Flood Control District…

September 23, 20260Comments

Projects

Addressing Erosion Along Pillot Gully

A project to address major channel erosion in northwest Harris County is underway! From Louetta Road to Vintage Preserve Parkway, our maintenance crews are repairing erosion along the bottom and both side slopes of Pillot Gully. The project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027. This deferred maintenance project tackles repairs…

September 22, 20260Comments

Projects

It’s Okay to Weep: Why Concrete Channels Need to Let It Out

Did you know? Many concrete-lined channels have holes in them… on purpose! Fewer than 5% of Harris County's drainage channels are lined with concrete, but they do some heavy lifting. To help them hold up over time, weep holes are installed. Schematic of a typical Flood Control District concrete-lined channel showing the location of a…

September 16, 20260Comments