Sims Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project

Sims Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project A. Gene Rushing, Jr., P.E., PMP HCFCD Project Manager January 15, 2014

Harris County s Watersheds

Historical Flooding in Harris County 1929 1935 HCFCD created in 1937

Created for Partnership HCFCD was created in 1937 to partner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as local sponsor for flood control projects.

The Flood Control District OUR MISSION Provide flood damage reduction projects that work, with appropriate regard for community and natural values.

Sims Bayou Flood Damage Reduction Project

Sims Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project Project Facts 94 square mile drainage area Widening and deepening of 19.3 miles of Sims Bayou (19.1 miles complete) Replacement or modification of 22 bridges Benched channel section with articulating concrete block lined bottom Oxbow wetland restoration In-channel ponds for fish habitat Tree planting - 49 trees per acre above top bank (14 trees per acre on upper slope)

Sims Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project Project Milestones Project Study & Environmental Impact Statement - 1982 Project authorized by Water Resources Development Act of 1986 USACE Partnership Agreement (LCA) signed in 1990 USACE channel construction begins in 1994 Federal Cost to Date $261M HCFCD Cost to Date $127M $2M $2M Construction reaches midpoint at State Hwy 288 in 2005 Remaining Project anticipated completion in 2014 at a cost of $392M

Project Roles & Responsibilities Acquire project right-of-way Relocate conflicting utilities Sanitary sewers Water lines Private pipelines Bridge Replacements (22) Excavated Material Placement Areas Maintenance of Completed Project

Project Roles & Responsibilities Channel Design Environmental Mitigation Channel Construction Railroad bridge modifications O&M Guidelines

Provide flood damage reduction projects that work Sims Bayou Flood Damage Reduction Project

Sims Bayou Effective Floodplain

Flood Damages (Prior to Construction) Sims Bayou Project Sims Bayou near Buffalo Speedway 2001

Sims Bayou Post Project Floodplain Green = Area removed from 1% Floodplain

Sims Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project Project Benefits Removes floodplain from 35,000 homes and 2,000 businesses 1% event within channel banks for most of main stem Benefit to Cost Ratio of 6.5

with appropriate regard for community and natural values. Sims Bayou Flood Damage Reduction Project

Articulating Concrete Block Channel Lining

Sims Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project Articulating Concrete Block Downstream of Heatherbrook 5/03/11

Sims Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project Shortly after segment completion June 2011

Sims Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project Upstream of Scott Street

Sims Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project Upstream of Scott Street - Complete

Sims Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project Upstream of Scott St. - Complete

Sims Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project Completed Channel Section Upstream of Bellfort 1-13-2012

Bridge Aesthetics

Bridge Aesthetics

Bridge Aesthetics Buffalo Speedway Bridge - Completed 2009

Bridge Aesthetics White Heather Bridge - Completed 2011

Bridge Aesthetics Buxley Pedestrian Bridge - Completed 2012

Bridge Aesthetics Heatherbrook Bridge - Completed 2012

Bridge Aesthetics Croquet Bridge - Completed 2013

Tree Planting

Tree Planting Allowable Tree Density 49 trees per acre on top bank 14 trees per acre on upper slope

Tree Planting Downstream of SH 288

Tree Planting Upstream of I-45

Oxbow Wetland Establishment

Oxbow Restoration Bellfort Oxbow Tree & Native Grass Plantings

Oxbow Wetland Establishment Bellfort Oxbow

Oxbow Wetland Establishment Oxbow Across from Stewart Park

Oxbow Wetland Establishment Oxbow Across from Stewart Park

Designed to Accommodate Future Recreation Trails

Designed to Accommodate Future Recreation Trails Replaced Existing Trails During Construction

Sims Bayou Regional Plan Local Funded Supplement to the Federal Project

Sims Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project

Sims Bayou Regional Plan Local Funded Supplement to the Federal Project 3 Detention sites purchased totaling 700 acres at a cost of $6.1M. Over 3.6 million cubic yards excavated from the 3 sites. Augments the Sims Federal Project to bring it close to 1% protection

Sims Bayou Regional Plan C547-01-00 S. Post Oak Basin C500-01-00 Blue Ridge Basin

Sims Bayou Regional Plan Channel Construction The Hill at Sims Detention Basin

Sims Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project 1% Floodplain removed from 35,000 homes and 2,000 businesses