NRCS Watershed Structures Prevent Greater Flood Damage in Bell, Falls, McLennan Counties

Temple, Texas – July 16, 2007.  Late May and June rains brought more flooding and flood damage to central Texas. Damage in Bell, Falls, and McLennan counties, according to estimates by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), could have been nearly $4 million worse if not for the floodwater retarding structures located in those counties.

“With all this rain and the damage we have incurred, it’s hard to believe that it might have been worse, but it really could have been,” said Steve Bednarz, watershed program manager for NRCS in Texas. “With local sponsors, we’ve help build floodwater retarding structures under the watershed program that are out there minimizing the impacts of flooding.”

Local watershed sponsors, with the assistance of NRCS, have constructed nearly 100 floodwater retarding structures in six watersheds in Bell, Falls, and McLennan counties. The 13 structures in Nolan Creek Watershed received the most significant rainfall amounts of seven to nine inches in May, as well as the 33 structures in the Elm Creek (Cen-Tex) Watershed with some areas receiving five inches on June 27, 2007.

These structures were constructed through the Federal Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, which authorized NRCS to provide assistance to local sponsors with planning and installation of projects to reduce flooding, as well as provide erosion and sedimentation control.  Local sponsors obtain land rights for the projects and agree to operate and maintain the structure.

“These floodwater retarding structures have had a big impact in reducing flood damages, nearly $4 million worth in Bell, Falls, and McLennan counties alone,” Bednarz said.

After heavy rainfall events like Texas has recently experienced, floodwater retarding structures capture rushing floodwater behind the dam and hold it back allowing it to be more slowly released through a concrete pipe spillway.

“Slowing the water down and allowing it to be gradually released reduces risks to lives, damage to roads, cropland, fences, and other property,” Bednarz said.

With about 2,000 floodwater retarding structures throughout Texas, NRCS estimates that the state derives more than $101 million each year in benefits, which includes soil erosion savings, water conservation, road and bridge damage reduction, wetland/upland wildlife habitat creation, recreation, and personal property protection.

More information about the watershed program in Texas can be found at the following Web Site: www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/watersheds.

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