exTRA by the Trinity River Authority of Texas

 U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District Officials, in keeping with their flood risk reduction charter, continue to monitor and manage recent flooding at Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Texas. Sam Rayburn is receiving floodwater runoff from recent storms and is currently operating in surcharge pool with an elevation of 175. 33 feet as of 8 a. m. June 2. Conservation pool elevation is 164. 40 feet and top of flood pool is 173 feet.

 For the past several days, the City’s treated water supply has had a slight discoloration. THIS IS NOT A WATER QUALITY ISSUE. The slight discoloration is due to upstream runoff sediments in the raw water supply following the recent heavy rain events. The water treatment plant staff has modified the treatment process to tackle the discoloration.

Missouri City held a ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony May 26 for the Phase 2 expansion of the Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant located at 4655 1/2 Bees Creek Court, Missouri City. With the $20 million expansion, the plant's processing capacity doubles from 10 million gallons per day to 20 million gallons per day. Mayor Robin Elackatt said the expansion is Missouri City's largest capital improvement project in city history.

Dallas first responders performed at least a few high seas rescues on Monday, May 31. Two vehicles got stuck in high water on Sylvan Avenue between I-30 and Singleton Boulevard. 

The Lubbock City Council approved a $1.75 million contract with Lee Lewis Construction on Tuesday to fix flood damage that occurred at Citizens Tower and the adjacent City of Lubbock Utilities Customer Service building in March. City officials say water reached about 18 inches above the floor. During a press conference after the flooding, Matt Rose, spokesman for Lubbock Utilities, said the Lubbock Utilities building suffered substantial damage.

The Tyler City Council unanimously voted to authorize a $348,218 contract with A&B Construction, LLC to replace and reroute a 10-inch sanitary sewer line and install four manholes in the 2800 block of South Southwest Loop 323. “The City assessed the line and determined the segment of sewer line is eroding and compromising the line and adjacent manholes,” said Environmental Engineer Paul Neuhaus. The project includes removing and replacing about 982 linear feet of a gravity sanitary sewer main, re-routing the line and constructing and installing four manholes.

There has been a sanitary sewer overflow from the Fort Worth collection system due to the recent rains that have hit North Texas.

The overflow started Tuesday afternoon, in the 100 block of E. Exchange Ave., and just over 275,000 gallons overflowed near the Marine Creek area. Fort Worth’s drinking water was not impacted by the overflow, though anyone using private drinking water supply wells near the site of the overflow should boil their water, and have their well water tested.

The Granite Shoals City Council approved $2.1 million for a 350,000-gallon water tank and tower, which should come on line in about a year. Also during the May 25 regular meeting, councilors voted to spend about $81,000 on a hydro-pneumatic pressure tank for the Sherwood Shores No. 3 water system, which should mean better water pressure for customers in that area.

The Brazos River Authority announced Monday, May 31 a single gate will be opened at Possum Kingdom Lake at 7:00 p.m. for a total release of 8,800 cubic feet per second.  “Be alert for rising water conditions in the Brazos River,” the BRA said in a courtesy message.

After major backlash, Texas is reversing its decision that left the city of Houston along with Harris County without any money for flood mitigation following Hurricane Harvey. Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush took to Twitter Wednesday night and said he has asked the federal government for $750 million for flood mitigation projects related to Hurricane Harvey.

Across the Rio Grande Valley, many residents cringe when they remember the sudden June storm gushing into homes across much of the area nearly three years ago. The year before, a June 2018 storm — also categorized as a 500-year event — flooded out homes and businesses across much of the region. Now, officials in Raymondville are planning the city’s biggest drainage project aimed at curbing widespread flooding in this low-lying area.

Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, Texas State Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst, County Judge Nate McDonald and Mayor Linh Chau announced the Texas General Land Office (GLO) approved $8 million in flood mitigation projects to improve drainage, water and wastewater infrastructure in Matagorda County and the City of Palacios. These infrastructure projects will directly benefit thousands of residents in majority low-to-moderate income (LMI) areas.