In a break from a past in which the US Army Corps of Engineers took the lead, Harris County
Flood Control District (HCFCD) has taken primary responsibility for development and
implementation of three major federal flood control projects in Harris County.
Section 211 (f) of the Water Resources Development Act passed by the United States Congress in
1996, gives primary authority to HCFCD for these projects, with the Corps to review and
approve the plans for flood protection improvements. Expectations are that the new arrangement
will streamline decision-making and enhance cost-effectiveness on the projects. As Art Storey,
HCFCD's Executive Director states, "We hope to show that a larger role for qualified local
sponsor agencies can lead to a new capability for federal-local partnerships nationwide."
The three projects are flood protection improvements to Brays Bayou, White Oak Bayou and
Hunting Bayou. The projects, for three of Harris County's most significant waterways, are
located in three different parts of the City of Houston and are in various stages of development.
According to Calvin Ladner, president of LJA, "This project demonstrates how teamwork from
both the public and private sectors can be utilized to complete projects in a cost effective and
timely manner."
LJA on Brays Bayou Team
LJA is working with Rust Environment & Infrastructure, the prime consultant, and Civil Tech
Engineering to provide engineering consulting services for Brays Bayou, a 30-mile channel which
provides drainage for approximately 140 square miles of south central and southwest Houston.
Major flooding in the highly developed watershed on several occasions has demonstrated the need
for substantial improvements. The bayou, which drains the Texas Medical Center, Rice University
and over 80,000 homes, currently has capacity for only a five-year rainfall. Part of LJA's task is
to define and evaluate a set of alternative plans to reduce the bayou flooding and make
recommendations for the next 10 years of construction, currently anticipated to cost over $200
million. Alternatives may include expanding storm water detention capacity, bridge replacements,
and channel improvements.
A Good, Hard Look
According to Dave Winslow, senior consultant, LJA is in the initial phases of the year-long
contract, the first of this kind with Harris Country Flood Control District. Working very closely
with HCFCD staff on a very tight schedule, LJA's activities will include an engineering analysis of
each alternative, including its hydrologic effectiveness, concept design and appearance, as well as
capital and O&M costs. An environmental assessment and an economic analysis will be provided
by other members of the project team to determine which plan has the best environmental and
economic benefits.
As part of its services, LJA will also address implementation, recreation and other issues for the
improvements, including construction phasing and funding. LJA is also assisting HCFCD with
public meetings to disseminate information and to gather public input.
