Issue 20
October 2022
FEMA Approves funding for Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Basin Project
In October, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved funding for Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Basin Project.
The project will convert the former Inwood Forest Golf Course into a flood-mitigation facility, which will be excavated to hold 350 million gallons of stormwater. The $55.3 million project will include 12 detention basins that will hold about 1,300 acre-ft of water. The Harris County Flood Control District and the City of Houston will contribute $15.8 million, while FEMA will contribute $39.5 million through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Completion is slated for first quarter 2025.
Project Update
Work continues as construction is underway to expand and deepen multiple Zube Stormwater Detention Basin compartments in the Little Cypress Creek watershed of northwest Harris County. For more information, visit hcfcd.org/F27.
Construction Update
Preliminary excavation continues at the Genoa Red Bluff Stormwater Detention Basin, located near West Fairmont Parkway and Genoa Red Bluff Road. While the overall project is in the preliminary engineering stage, Phase 1 excavation will get a head-start on construction. For more information, visit hcfcd.org/C07
The Work Continues
Work continues on Batch 3 of the Major Maintenance of Cypress Creek and Tributaries program. The scope of work for Batch 3, which is planned for 12 sites on 11 channel sections, includes: removal of silt, placement of buried riprap (rocks designed to protect from erosion), erosion repair, and more.
Time for some High Fives
October 2022 - High Fives
Check out our recent superstars in our latest edition of our High Five Employee Recognition Program! This program is our way of highlighting employees that have been internally nominated to be recognized for outstanding work.
Flood Control District invests in Centralized Training Hub
for Employees
The Harris county Flood Control District recently created a more centralized hub for its employees to receive the training that they need. The new “Training and Development Resources Page” now acts the primary point of entry for Flood Control District staff to become more informed about new strategies to use in their professional environment, as well as opportunities to become more informed in other ways as an individual.
This new addition to employee resources is also apart of an initiative to enhance skills and increase knowledge across all positions. This webpage will be the first in a series of employee-focused improvements within the Flood Control District based on feedback from recent surveys. Future phases will introduce additional training opportunities and focus on other priority training needs noted in the employee survey.
This new change is part of a continued effort at the Harris County Flood Control District to invest in its team, provide them with the opportunities they need to improve their skills and careers.
In the News
Finally, A Solution For Houston' Retention Ponds To Become Safer: Solar Powered Streetlights
Republicans Cagle, Ramsey agree to attend Monday meeting on Harris County tax rate compromise plan
Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia counters colleague’s tax rate plan
FEMA approves funding for Houston flood-mitigation facility Expand Collapse
Harris County didn't pass a new budget. Here's what that will impact
Matt Barr
GIS Section Leader
How long have you been with the Flood Control District?
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6 ½ years
How did you get your start at the Flood Control District?
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Flood Control had three separate GIS teams at the time, and I applied for a GIS Tech position in the Engineering Department under Wayne Crull.
What does your job at the Flood Control District entail?
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I am a section leader in the GIS Department. I have a team of 3 fantastic GIS folks, in addition to myself, that is responsible for generating maps for both public facing and internal use. This includes digital maps for publication on the web site, power point slides, commissioners court and more. In addition, my team is also responsible for hardcopy maps. I am also responsible for developing and publishing interactive data, maps and applications that are available for the public/internal use via ArcGIS Online and HUB.
What is your favorite thing about working at the Flood Control District?
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GIS is involved in almost every department at Flood Control so that allows the work to never become repetitive. Every day is a new challenge with a new way to develop my skills.
What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now?
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Overseeing the development of some new interactive products that we hope to have available to the District later this year.
What is the best career lesson you’ve learned so far?
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To never become complacent or stagnant with my professional development. GIS is constantly evolving and it’s important to stay up to date on new technologies and to push myself to always be ahead of the game.
What is something about yourself that most people don't know?
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I love to cook
What is something about you that people would be surprised to know?
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My wife just gave birth to our son, our 2nd kid, on Oct 3, 2022!
What do you like most about your job?
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The GIS staff that I work with are the best in the business. I feel privileged to be apart of this team and to be able to work in such a great environment.
Current Projects
