Government
BY HANNAH BROL
Flood Control recommends $54.5M project for Kingwood Diversion Ditch
Funding the project
While the construction cost of Project Alternative 3 is $54.5 million—$3 million more than Project Alternative 1—HCFCD o cials said it was selected as the recom- mended option as the maintenance cost is nearly 36% less than that of Project Alterna- tive 1. Project Alternative 2 was deemed the least viable option as it had the least bene t to structures compared to Project Alterna- tives 1 and 3. HCFCD o cials said the project’s design is being funded with a $1.9 million alloca- tion from the 2018 HCFCD bond program, as well as a $1.6 million grant from community-directed federal funding through the Environmental Protection Agency. The grant requires a $500,000 local cost share and must be used for design only. O cials noted there is no funding allocated for construction of the project, and funding options will be identi ed after costs are re ned and nalized during the design stage.
of the channel and 150-195 feet at the top of the channel • Incorporating design features intended to mimic natural channel conditions in certain sections with shallower sections that reduce the stormwater speed in the channel • Adding a new outfall, or discharge point, of the Kingwood Diversion Ditch to the West Fork of the San Jacinto River According to the HCFCD, Project Alternative 3 would remove approximately 69 structures and 223 acres from the 100-year ood plain. The proposed project is also expected to expand the area’s natural habitat for wildlife, improve erosion resistance and improve ltration of solids in the water due to the natural stable channel design features.
The Harris County Flood Control District hosted a virtual community engagement meeting for the Kingwood Diversion Ditch Flood Risk Reduction Project on March 6. In the preliminary engineering stage, the Kingwood Diversion Ditch project aims to reduce the risk of structural ooding associated with the Bens Branch Channel. While the project team is evaluating three project alternatives, HCFCD o cials said Project Alternative 3 is the recommended option and would entail: • Replacing the Kingwood Drive, Walnut Lane and Deer Ridge Estates Boulevard bridges as well as the Greenbelt Trails pedestrian bridge • Widening the Kingwood Diversion Ditch to a proposed width of 10-80 feet at the bottom
Kingwood Diversion Ditch Flood Risk Reduction Project
Project area
What’s next
Kingwood Diversion Ditch
HCFCD-maintained drainage ditches
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“Flood mitigation projects are a high priority in Precinct 3. That’s why ood risk reduction
Drop structure
LAKE VILLAGE DR.
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projects like these are important and must be seen to completion.” TOM RAMSEY, PRECINCT 3 COMMISSIONER
The drop structure will create a new outfall, or discharge point, of the Kingwood Diversion Ditch to the West Fork of the San Jacinto River
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494
WALNUTLN.
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HCFCD o cials said once community input has been received, the nal preliminary engineering report will be transmitted to the Harris County Commissioners Court for approval. If approved, the project will move into the nal design phase, and an additional community engagement meeting will be held. Once funding is secured for construction, construction can begin on the project. For more information about the project, call 346-286-4000 or visit hcfcd.org.
DEER RIDGE ESTATES BLVD.
1 Kingwood Drive bridge 2 Greenbelt Trails pedestrian bridge 3 Walnut Lane bridge 4 Deer Ridge Estates Boulevard bridge Bridge replacements
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SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT COMMUNITY IMPACT
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION
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