F-08 Fondren Diversion Channel

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Fondren Diversion Channel Project is a feasibility study to assess existing flood risks, develop flood risk reduction concepts, and identify a plan to implement selected projects. The focus of the study is a subwatershed of Brays Bayou that is roughly bounded by South Braeswood Boulevard to the north, Hillcroft Avenue to the east, Murphy Road to the west, and US 90A to the south. The majority of the subwatershed lies in Harris County and a smaller portion southwest of Beltway 8 falls in Fort Bend County. Local stormwater that flows into this subwatershed drain to an open channel system, HCFCD Unit D140-00-00 and its tributaries.

A hydraulic model will be developed to analyze this area with information from the ongoing MAAPNext floodplain remapping efforts, new Atlas 14 rainfall depths, and the inclusion of unstudied tributaries. The goal of the study is to identify hotspots of flood risk based on previously inundated structures, areas of extensive ponding, low level-of-service in the open channel system, etc. Conceptual alternatives will be developed to alleviate flood risk in the form of potential stormwater detention basins, channel conveyance improvements, flow diversions, and structures providing relief during extreme events. A conceptual-level feasibility study means that alternatives will need to be refined and developed in more detail during separate future Preliminary Engineering and Design stages of the project lifecycle, before proceeding to construction.