Woodlands Flood Projects Funding Gap

**The Woodlands Board Confronts Multi-Million Dollar Flood Mitigation Funding Challenge**

**THE WOODLANDS, TX – October 26, 2023** – The Woodlands Township Board of Directors convened on October 25, 2023, to delve into the substantial and ongoing efforts required for flood mitigation, grappling with the multi-million dollar price tag associated with a host of crucial drainage projects across the community. The comprehensive discussion underscored a renewed focus on drainage improvements that gained urgency in the wake of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, an event that also spurred the formation of the Montgomery County Flood Control District (MCFCD).

Central to the Board’s conversation was a recent report from The Woodlands MUDs Drainage Committee, a body formed in early 2023 specifically to assess the community’s drainage needs. The committee presented an initial draft of its findings in July 2023, culminating in its final presentation to the Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) in September 2023. This critical report identified a slate of “immediate needs” drainage projects within the MUDs, carrying an estimated cost ranging from $30 million to $50 million. Furthermore, the committee outlined a broader, long-term list of necessary projects anticipated to exceed $150 million.

Currently, The Woodlands Township has pledged $1.5 million towards these efforts, formalized through an agreement with The Woodlands Joint Powers Agency (WJPA) in November 2022. This commitment is specifically earmarked to fund the vital planning and engineering phases for the immediate projects. While the Township is instrumental in covering these upfront study costs, the actual construction funding for MUD-level projects traditionally falls upon the individual MUDs themselves. Additional support is often sought from larger entities such as the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD), the Montgomery County Flood Control District (MCFCD), and various state or federal grant programs.

Board members acknowledged a potential gap in existing funding sources, indicating that the Township might need to consider future financial contributions to ensure these critical projects are brought to fruition.

Key initiatives discussed include advanced strategies for managing water levels in Lake Woodlands, significant channel modifications along vital waterways like Panther Creek and Bear Branch, improvements to existing outfalls, and the strategic creation of regional detention ponds. These concerted efforts are designed to alleviate persistent flooding issues in particularly susceptible areas, including the neighborhoods of Grogan’s Mill, Cochran’s Crossing, and Alden Bridge, while also protecting the ecological integrity of the Spring Creek Greenway.

If the necessary funding is successfully secured, some of these immediate needs projects could potentially see completion by summer or fall 2024. However, the Board stressed that the overall scope of flood mitigation remains a long-term, multi-agency undertaking, requiring sustained collaboration among The Woodlands MUDs, The Woodlands Joint Powers Agency (WJPA), the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD), the Montgomery County Flood Control District (MCFCD), and the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA).

For more information on the Montgomery County Flood Control District, visit MCFCD Website.
Details on The Woodlands Joint Powers Agency can be found at WJPA Website.
The San Jacinto River Authority provides information at SJRA Website.
For the Harris County Flood Control District, visit HCFCD Website.