Cypress Creek Drainage District

The session focused on providing background information about the Cypress Creek Improvement District, which was recently created by the Texas legislature to represent residents in the Cypress Creek Watershed regarding flood control. Key discussion points included the geographic scope of the watershed, the approximately 500,000 residents it represents, and the factors affecting flooding (rainfall, topography, soil, land use). The presentation detailed current and planned Harris County Flood Control District projects, including the ongoing $1 billion plan involving 22 detention sites along Cypress Creek and the $1 billion Frontier Program along Little Cypress Creek. A significant portion of the discussion addressed the potential for tunnel conveyance projects, estimated to cost $3.6 billion, and the possibility of integrating flood mitigation strategies with freshwater supply and subsidence management. The goal articulated is to remove significantly more structures from the 100-year floodplain than the initial detention basins are projected to achieve (currently estimated at 19% removal). The District is actively fundraising to support engineering work based on a framework plan developed by Quiddity Engineering to present to the Texas legislature.

The meeting of the Cypress Creek Drainage Improvement District covered introductions, a review of previous studies including the Dunbar obedient report, and the Harris County Flood Control District project status. Discussions included the creation, timeline, and goals of the drainage improvement district. The Cypress Creek Watershed, its boundaries, and the engagement of the community in developing a comprehensive flood mitigation plan through public workshops were also addressed. The meeting also touched on basic hydrology concepts, the complexities of the Cypress Creek Watershed, and the challenges in addressing them.

The meeting included updates on efforts to secure startup funding for the District. A draft framework for a Cypress Creek Resilience Plan was reviewed, with discussions focusing on its cost, timeline, workshop targets, legislative targets, and long-term resiliency. The Board approved a letter of support for the Harris County Flood Control Project (K500-01-00). The Board also discussed the Strategic Plan 2024 and the schedule for upcoming community workshops and presentations. A request was made for Board members to deliver a presentation at the AWBD Conference.

The Board discussed the District's 2024-2025 goals, content, map, and photos for a draft brochure, with additional comments due by February 28, 2024. Directors Cobb and Schlattman updated the Board on their meeting with Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey regarding District matters. Ms. Recinos reported on potential funding opportunities available through TxGLO. The Board approved revisions to the proposed Strategic Plan 2024 and discussed planned workshops and presentations, including a possible presentation at the Association of Water Board Directors Summer Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. The next meeting was scheduled for March 19, 2024.

The Cypress Creek Drainage Improvement District Board meeting included discussions on Harris County Flood Control District's support, Cypress Creek Cultural District Riverwalk District, Legislative Committee Report, and Engineering Committee Report. The engineer presented updates on the State Flood Plan, Building Codes, Corporate studies, and the Framework for a Cypress Creek Watershed Resiliency Plan Stage 1. Fundraising status was discussed, and the Board requested a Master Services Agreement for Quiddity to work on the Framework Stage 1. There was also a report on Workshop(s) Timeline/Objectives and public comments on Harris County Community Resiliency Task Force and HCFCD's project in upper cypress creek.