Drones in Action for Flood Control District’s Maintenance

The Harris County Flood Control District is constantly finding innovative ways to efficiently maintain its large network of bayous, channels, and stormwater detention basins. One of the tools making a difference is drone technology. By using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), the Flood Control District can inspect, document, and even repair hard-to-access areas more safely and…

December 2, 20250Comments

Projects

Brays Bayou Today: Building a Resilient Future

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…

November 19, 20250Comments

Projects

Stormwater Storage Capacity: What Is an Acre-foot?

Flooding is a major concern for residents of Harris County, and truly understanding flood risk includes learning about how much stormwater our detention basins can hold. The Harris County Flood Control District reports storage capacity in acre-feet, a unit of measurement that helps engineers plan and design flood risk reduction projects. An acre-foot is a…

November 17, 20250Comments

Projects

Brays Bayou Through the Years: A History of Change

From past floods to present progress, this two part series on Brays Bayou’s history highlights more than a century of change, resilience, and ongoing work to reduce flood risk for surrounding communities. Brays Bayou begins near Mission Bend in northern Fort Bend County and flows east about 31 miles through southwest Harris County before joining…

November 13, 20250Comments

Projects

Why the Flood Control District Plants Wildflowers

The Harris County Flood Control District is committed to increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of its drainage infrastructure to better serve the residents of Harris County. Planting wildflowers is a beneficial practice that promotes native vegetation and beautifies the local landscape. Planting slow-growing wildflowers can delay the first mowing cycle, saving maintenance dollars and allowing…

November 12, 20250Comments

Projects

The Life of a Project: From Planning to Maintenance

While every flood risk reduction project is unique, each project typically follows a defined Project Lifecycle, guiding each effort from initial concept to completion and then ultimately into our maintenance program. For the Harris County Flood Control District, the defined Project Lifecycle stages are key to delivering effective flood risk reduction projects. Importantly, throughout…

October 28, 20250Comments

Projects

Stronger Together: Partnerships Power Flood Resilience Across Harris County

Flood resilience in Harris County depends on strong partnerships. The Harris County Flood Control District works alongside state, federal, and local agencies to deliver projects that decrease flooding impacts and improve quality of life for residents across the region. With more than 2,500 miles of bayous and channels across 23 major watersheds, advancing flood resilience…

October 14, 20250Comments

Projects

Berry Bayou on the Mend: Restoration Project in Motion

A channel restoration project is underway along Berry Bayou in the Sims Bayou watershed in southeast Harris County (Project ID: Z100-00-00-X302). This important maintenance effort will restore nearly 1.25 miles of channel between Ahrens Street and Whispering Creek Way in Harris County Precinct 2. The goal is to restore Berry Bayou’s ability to safely carry…

October 3, 20250Comments

Projects

Surveying the Future: Behind-the-Scenes Work That Keeps Harris County Resilient

Behind every flood control project in Harris County is a team you rarely see — but whose work shapes nearly everything the Flood Control District builds. The in-house Surveying Team is the “keeper of vertical data” for the county. They maintain more than 1,300 reference markers — essential GPS points that guide construction, drainage improvements,…

October 2, 20250Comments

Projects

Maintenance Matters: How Mowing Supports Flood Risk Reduction In Harris County

It’s mowing season at the Harris County Flood Control District! Maintenance crews are out across the county with tractors, trimmers, and other equipment to manage vegetation, reduce invasive species, and keep our drainage network accessible for inspection and maintenance. When it comes to mowing for flood control purposes, timing matters. We follow a carefully planned…

September 29, 20250Comments