The Tomball City Council has signed off on the city’s latest drainage master plan, documenting drainage infrastructure needs and proposed solutions.
The master plan will be the first comprehensive update since the previous iteration, which was published in 2014. As the city grows and develops, the plan will serve as a guide toward identifying drainage issues and implementing capital projects to address existing and future infrastructure needs and provide flood relief.
In an effort to increase resilience from inclement weather in flood-prone areas, the city analyzed various improvement components that play a role in managing flooding. Some of these measures include:
- Improving outfall channels.
- Updating storm sewer criteria enhancements.
- Building regional detention basins.
- Modifying stream crossings.
- Installing early flood warning systems.
- Enhancing ditches.
- Expanding storm sewers.
- Coordinating infrastructure.
The city included both a five- and 10-year Capital Plan, targeting nine basins requiring improvements over the next decade. However, in the next five years, the city anticipates investing $31.2 million into only three projects.
J131 Basin has the highest associated cost for improvements at $16.7 million. Currently, the basin – originally designed to handle 100-year conveyance – no longer has the capacity to handle large-scale flood events. Proposed project alternatives include improving detention ponds, storm sewer infrastructure and channel enhancements for connected drainage systems.
M121 Basin will cost $10 million to restructure. The basin currently lacks sufficient outfall depth and natural drainage paths, impeding development. The city plans to remedy these issues by building detention facilities, improving storm sewer infrastructure and reconstructing drainage channels.
The final basin project – M118 Basin – will cost $4.3 million to enhance over the next five years. The basin lacks natural drainage systems, leading to significant issues with conveyance and outfall depth and availability. The project will prioritize building detention basins, storm sewer infrastructure and drainage channels to resolve ongoing flooding issues.
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