Houston Stronger Regional Plan

Houston Stronger’s first plan for the region was produced in 2018. It has since been updated to the 2021 plan which reflect changes as a result of further input and coordination with government and civic interests.

The 2021 Houston Stronger Regional Plan reflects these key elements.

RESTORE BARKER & ADDICKS RESERVOIRS

Restore and add to the capacity of both Barker and Addicks reservoirs. The two reservoirs should be excavated so that all private property currently subject to inundation upstream of the reservoirs would never be at risk of inundation again. The overflow weirs for the reservoirs should be lowered and placed on government-owned land at elevations that would never allow flooding to occur on private property.

STRATEGIC BUYOUT OF EXTREME FLOOD-PRONE HOMES

Buyout homes and remove people from harm’s way. The additional land will be used for improved conveyance as well widening bayous and streams.

INCREASE BAYOU CONVEYANCE

The Houston Stronger flood plan calls for doubling the amount of floodwater conveyance for drainage systems in Harris County.  Plain and simple… controlling flooding is about getting as much water possible into the drainage systems, out to the bayous and into Galveston Bay as quickly and effectively as possible. Again, this portion of the Houston Stronger plan doubles the amount of floodwater conveyance.

CONSTRUCT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE LITTLE CYPRESS CREEK AREA

Improvements will protect property and citizens downstream along Cypress Creek from the peak runoff that occurs when large rain events occur over the Little Cypress Creek watershed.

COASTAL SPINE PROJECT

No project within the Houston Stronger flood plan affects more lives and critical infrastructure than the Galveston County Coastal spine.  We learned in 2008 during Hurricane Ike how desperately we need this. This coastal spine will protect our petrochemical industry, our ports and hundreds of thousands of Texans who live in the gulf coast region.

FORT BEND COUNTY BRAZOS RIVER RESTORATION

Houston Stronger regional flood plan calls for restoration and maintenance of the Brazos River. The Brazos River is the principle drainage artery for Fort Bend County. After numerous significant rain events, the Bravos River has eroded and is in need of significant restoration.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY RESERVOIR SYSTEM

The Houston Stronger regional flood plan includes construction of flood control reservoirs to protect communities along Spring Creek and Lake Creek.

CITY OF HOUSTON DRAINAGE

Improvements in the City of Houston drainage system known as Rebuild Houston/Build Houston forward makes improvements across the Houston area to improve drainage infrastructure so that stormwater can get to the bayous.

PORT OF HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL RESTORATION

The Port of Houston is the largest port in international tonnage in the world.  The Port of Houston is a massive economic driver for our region.  The ability for the Port of Houston to operate at its maximum output benefits every single citizen and business in the entire Gulf Coast region. Houston Stronger regional flood plan calls for the necessary dredging and restoration to place the Port of Houston at its maximum output.

PORT FREEPORT HARBOR CHANNEL

This harbor channel is in dire need of dredging and restoration and the Houston Stronger regional flood plan calls for just that.