The Cypress Creek Implementation Plan recommends the construction of 14,000 acre-feet of stormwater mitigation volume throughout the watershed using primarily existing public rights-ofway. A proposed stormwater conveyance tunnel would divert extreme event flows underground directly to Lake Houston. During these same extreme events, water from Cypress Creek overflows the watershed and flows north to Addicks and Barker Reservoirs. Study and Management of this overflow to the extent possible is crucial to all three watersheds.

A large dry dam on Winters Bayou, a tributary of the San Jacinto East Fork, will create 45,000 acrefeet of stormwater detention, reducing the risk of flooding for Cleveland and Plum Grove.

The Greens Bayou Mid-Reach Program, which has been in development and construction for more than 20 years, includes 11 miles of channel conveyance improvements and six large regional stormwater detention basins. Additionally, a proposed stormwater conveyance tunnel would divert extreme event flows underground directly to the Ship Channel by way of the proposed Halls and Hunting Bayous tunnel.

The current HCFCD Bond Implementation in Halls Bayou is Phase 0 of a long range vision plan for the watershed. A new start of a previously discontinued USACE study using current and updated guidance could lead the way to significant federal investment in flood risk mitigation in the watershed. A proposed stormwater conveyance tunnel would divert extreme event flows underground directly to the Ship Channel by way of the proposed Hunting Bayou tunnel.

Numerous projects were identified for Jackson Bayou flood risk mitigation in a recently completed watershed plan, including a combination of channel conveyance improvements and stormwater detention mitigation.

Develop a joint reservoir operations and communications strategy for Lake Conroe and Lake Houston, with the goal of establishing efficient and safe operation of the two reservoirs once additional gates are constructed at Lake Houston.

Create more than 52,000 acre-feet of stormwater detention in the Lake Creek watershed through the construction of three different dry dam facilities on Caney Creek, Little Caney Creek and Garrett’s Creek.

The Little Cypress Creek Frontier Program establishes clear roles and responsibilities for the orderly development in the Little Cypress Creek service area to promote construction of flood risk reduction features and cost-effective long term maintenance. As the area continues to rapidly develop, continued collaboration with land owners and developers is encouraged to maximize stormwater mitigation and water quality, as well as opportunities for public recreational amenities and open space. The program is highlighted by nine regional stormwater detention basins and channel conveyance along Little Cypress Creek and its tributaries.

Luce Bayou spans Harris, Liberty, and San Jacinto Counties and has a broad mix of developed areas as well as wide areas that are undeveloped. Since flooding does not follow political boundaries, collaboration between these three counties is encouraged. Opportunities for private/public partnerships may also prove beneficial as areas begin to develop.

Two large dry dam facilities will establish 72,000 acre-feet of stormwater detention on Peach Creek upstream and downstream of SH 105. Additionally, channel conveyance improvements, with appropriate stormwater detention mitigation, are needed on Peach Creek between I-69 and the confluence with Caney Creek. All in these facilities will reduce the risk of flooding for Wood Branch, Patton Village, Splendora and Roman Forest.

Dry dams on Walnut Creek and Birch Creek to create large stormwater detention basins are being considered individually and in combination to benefit Spring Creek. Channel conveyance improvements, with appropriate stormwater detention mitigation, is recommended on Spring Creek from Willow Creek to Kuykendahl, as well as from I-45 to 4 miles downstream of Riley Fuzzel.

Coupled with appropriate stormwater detention mitigation, channel conveyance improvements on the Upper West Fork from I-45 to SH 242 and channel benching from I-69 to West Lake Houston Parkway, will bring much-needed flood risk mitigation to River Plantation and Kingwood respectively. A pilot “sand trap” project hopes to reduce future sedimentation accumulation downstream into Lake Houston. And the City of Houston and Coastal Water Authority are partnering to add additional gates to the Lake Houston Dam which will allow greater flexibility with pre-emptive lowering of the lake in advance of a flood as well as provide greater flexibility in operational collaboration with Lake Conroe.

Nine areas along Willow Creek totaling almost 900 acres have been identified for possible regional stormwater detention basins. Acquiring and excavating these basins will significantly reduce the risk of flooding throughout the watershed. Acquiring approximately 450 additional acres for floodplain preservation and maintenance access is also encouraged.