Author: FBCLID 2

Major Updates and Achievements from Our 2024 Spring Newsletter

In our latest Spring Newsletter, we are proud to share significant updates and milestones that reflect our ongoing commitment to enhancing flood protection for all our residents in Sugar Land, Texas.

FBCLID2 has been honored with the prestigious 2024 John Ivey Higher Standards Award from the Texas Floodplain Management Association (TFMA). This award is a recognition of our exceptional efforts to elevate floodplain management standards after the devastating impacts of Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Following that unprecedented storm, we launched a comprehensive initiative to modernize our 40-year-old drainage system with an investment of over $85 million from our taxpayers. These improvements have significantly boosted our flood protection capabilities.

A key highlight from our improvements is the André D. McDonald Stormwater Pump Station, one of the largest inland facilities of its kind in the United States. Capable of moving over 1.3 million gallons of water per minute, this facility has dramatically enhanced our flood response efficiency. Another critical development is the Ditch A Widening Project, which has greatly increased our stormwater detention capacity—essential during heavy rainfall periods.

Despite the necessity to increase our tax rate for the first time since 1983 to fund these enhancements, the support from our community has been overwhelmingly positive. An impressive 77% of our voters supported the 2019 Bond Authorization, showing strong backing for these necessary upgrades.

As we prepare for the upcoming hurricane season, it’s vital that we all stay informed and engaged with the latest developments in flood management and emergency preparedness. We encourage residents to visit our Emergency Operations page for live updates and essential information.

Please visit our Spring newsletter and newsletter archive at FBCLID2 Resource Center.

Let’s continue to prepare and stay informed together.

Emergency Operations Update – May 17, 2024

On Thursday, May 16 FBCLID 2 received approximately 1.5 inches of rain in less than an hour. For several hours last night the water level in Ditch A was high enough to activate one of the large pumps at the new McDonald Pump Station. During its first Emergency Operation, the McDonald pump Station worked exactly as designed. Currently, the smaller pumps at the Little Pump Station are performing maintenance pumping to further decrease the water level in Ditch A.

McDonald Pump Station – Emergency Operations

A Brazos River crest of 45.1 feet at the Richmond, Texas gage is forecasted for the middle of next week. High water levels outside the levee will keep the FBCLID 2 flood gates closed, but water will not reach the bottom of the levee. Fortunately, the rainfall forecast dries out over the next seven days. FBCLID 2 will continue to closely monitor the rainfall and Brazos River forecasts provided by the National Weather Service.

Emergency Operations Update – May 16, 2024

On Saturday, May 11, the Brazos River crest at Richmond, Texas gage measured 45.7 feet. Based on forecast rainfall for Thursday, May 16, the Brazos River is expected to crest again next week at 46.4 feet in Richmond.

High water levels outside the levee have closed the FBCLID 2 flood gates, but water will not reach the bottom of the levee.

FBCLID 2 is forecasted to receive more rainfall tonight, and the pump station operators are prepared if it begins to rain.

Fortunately, the precipitation forecast dries out this weekend and into next week when the Brazos River will crest again. The latest forecast and information from the National Weather Service is included below: