Hurricane Harvey Disaster Recovery FEMA Sediment Removal Program

Hurricane Harvey Disaster Recovery FEMA Sediment Removal Program
Menu

Harvey Sediment Removal Program - Draft Schedule | Summer 2023

Click image to expand

Harvey Sediment Removal Program - Draft Schedule

Harvey Sediment Removal Program - Construction Draft Schedule | Summer 2023

Click image to expand

Harvey Sediment Removal Program - Contruction Draft Schedule - Summer 2023

FAQs

How is this program funded?

FEMA committed $223 million dollars to the Flood Control District for the program, representing 90 percent of the project costs, and the Flood Control District is responsible for the remaining $25 million. The State of Texas is expected to reimburse 75 percent of the Flood Control District’s local share due to the Texas Infrastructure Resiliency Fund – Hurricane Harvey Account, which was passed by the Texas State Legislature in 2019. This lowers the Flood Control District’s contribution to the program to $6.2 million dollars.

How many watersheds are involved in this program?

Hurricane Harvey Disaster Recovery FEMA Sediment Removal Program will include work across eight watersheds. The watersheds involved are Addicks Reservoir, Barker Reservoir, Cypress Creek, Greens Bayou, Little Cypress Creek, Spring Creek, White Oak Bayou and Willow Creek.

What is the estimated completion date?

This program, as identified in the public assistance grants, is estimated to be complete in 2027 but may be extended.

Will property acquisition be needed for this program?

No. The Flood Control District does not anticipate any property acquisitions as a result of this program. Since this program is focused on maintenance activity, all work is meant to occur in areas designated as Flood Control District property or within either Harris County or Flood Control District’s right-of-way. However, in order to access the channels, creeks, or bayous, teams may need to coordinate temporary rights-of-entry or property acquisition if temporary construction access easements or temporary rights-of-entry prove to be non-viable.

Why is the Flood Control District not widening or deepening any of the channels in this program?

Widening or deepening the channels within any of the eight watersheds in the program is not included in the scope of work. The goal of this program is to remove excess sediment that was deposited in channels due to the extreme flooding conditions during Hurricane Harvey. The accumulated sediment will be removed from channels, creeks, and bayous of the Addicks Reservoir, Barker Reservoir, Cypress Creek, Greens Bayou, Little Cypress Creek, Spring Creek, White Oak Bayou, and Willow Creek watersheds. By removing this sediment, the program will restore the channels to their pre-Harvey stormwater capacity.

What is desilting?

Desilting is the removal of sediment within a channel that has been deposited through an extreme event or throughout multiple rain events. Deposition occurs naturally when fast-moving water slows, and sediment settles in the channel.

What is sediment?

Sediment in a drainage channel refers to particles of soil and other materials that have been moved downstream by stormwater. Fast-moving stormwater can pick up, suspend, and move sediment which settles out downstream as the stormwater slows. Excessive sediment can impact the carrying capacity of a drainage channel.

What tools are used to desilt and remove sediment?

The Flood Control District will utilize traditional desilt methods and typical construction equipment such as excavators and bulldozers during the sediment removal process, along with compact track loaders and dump trucks to take away the sediment from the site.

Will there be an opportunity for residents to comment on this program?

The Flood Control District will hold public meetings within each of the watersheds around the time that the work is scheduled to begin. The Flood Control District will present information about the overall program, as well as watershed-specific updates, which will allow residents the opportunity to share their input and ask questions about the program.

What is the estimated amount of sediment this program will remove?

It is estimated that more than 4.82 million cubic yards of sediment accumulated in multiple watersheds during Hurricane Harvey will be removed, which is enough to fill 482,000 dump trucks.

How were the channels that are a part of the program determined?

Per FEMA requirements, the Flood Control District used pre-Harvey aerial imagery to identify eligible channels.

Who will be responsible for the sediment removal?

The Flood Control District will oversee selecting the contractors for the program through a competitive bid process and will manage the various construction packages as well.

Does this program remove any structures from the floodplain?

No. The purpose of this program is to restore the channels back to pre-disaster design, capacity, and function.