Project Description
This project involves the engineering, design and construction of a future flood control dam and reservoir in the Spring Creek watershed, which encompasses portions of Harris, Montgomery, Waller and Grimes counties. The project grew out of the San Jacinto River Watershed Master Drainage Plan (SJMDP) effort.
As part of the SJMDP, and with funding from several municipal utility districts in The Woodlands area, two alternative flood control dam sites on Walnut Creek and Birch Creek were identified for further study in the Spring Creek watershed of Waller County.
In June 2021, Harris County Commissioners Court authorized a partnership project in support of this project with the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA); City of Humble; The Woodlands Municipal Utility District No. 1; Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 7; Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 46; Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 60; and Harris-Montgomery Counties Municipal Utility District No. 386. Led by SJRA, and with additional funding from a Texas Water Development Board Flood Infrastructure Fund grant, this partnership project will perform a feasibility study and produce conceptual level designs for each proposed site, to determine the most feasible, beneficial and economic project for possible further development.
The proposed flood control dry bottom dams are expected to lower peak stormwater flow rates and peak water surface elevations to benefit structures along Walnut Creek, Birch Creek and Spring Creek, but are also expected to provide some ancillary benefits at the downstream reaches near dense urban areas such as Tomball and The Woodlands.