CI-016 Study to Evaluate Bridges and High-flow Bypasses

Project Description

This study was suggested by the Buffalo Bayou watershed community during Community Engagement Meetings before the 2018 HCFCD Bond Election. The project was initiated in November 2018 and formally closed in February 2020.

The study investigated the flood risk reduction potential of raising bridges along Buffalo Bayou between State Highway 6 and Congress Avenue, and building high-flow bypasses or shortcuts of bayou meanders between Sam Houston Tollway and Shepherd Drive.

For comparison purposes, the study also looked at the flood risk reduction potential of widening Buffalo Bayou on land owned by the Flood Control District between State Highway 6 and the Sam Houston Tollway.

This study is now complete and, in response to study findings, no follow-up project has been recommended by the Flood Control District. A copy of the final engineering report has been provided to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is conducting the Buffalo Bayou & Tributaries Resiliency Study.

A copy of the final engineering report is available here: Final Study Report

The study found:

• Combining the most effective alternatives/options from all the bridges and bypasses studied would lower the water surface elevation on Buffalo Bayou by less than one foot, .57 feet, with benefits only seen in the immediate area of the bridge adjustment or bypass.
• Combining these alternatives would result in lower flooding risk to 40 structures in the 100-year floodplain and 174 in the 500-year floodplain. Depending on the storm, a lower flooding risk could mean no structure flooding or flooding of a lesser depth within the structure.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MEETING

A community engagement meeting for this project was held October 17, 2019, from 6-8 P.M. at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, Fellowship Hall, 11612 Memorial Drive, Houston Texas 77024.  Public comments regarding this project are welcome at any time but must be received by October 31, 2019, for inclusion in meeting documentation. Please submit comments through the comment form link above.