The Clear Creek watershed encompasses portions of Harris, Galveston, Brazoria and Fort Bend counties. All or part of 16 cities and 5 drainage/flood control districts are included. Clear Creek flows from west to east along the southern portion of Harris County through Clear Lake and into Galveston Bay. For much of its length, it is the boundary between Harris County and Galveston County.

In Harris County, the Clear Creek watershed covers approximately 137 square miles (excluding Armand Bayou) and includes Clear Creek, which is the primary waterway, and several tributaries. Armand Bayou, which flows into Clear Lake, is the largest tributary. The Armand Bayou watershed is about 60 square miles and is considered a separate watershed.

Development activity has historically been concentrated in the lower end of the Clear Creek watershed near Clear Lake and several smaller cities in the mid and upper portions of the watershed. However, in recent decades development activity has increased throughout the watershed, and this trend is expected to continue. In the decade between 2000 and 2010, population in the watershed increased from 118,026 to 164,172, a 39 percent increase.

Clear CreekWatershed

COMPLETED PROJECTSConstruction costs for capital projects completed in the watershed between 1975 and 1996 total more than $13 million. In 1997, the Second Outlet to Galveston Bay from Clear Lake was completed at a total federal ($14.7 million) and non-federal ($11.5 million) cost of $26.2 million, in anticipation of the Clear Creek Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project.

Additional capital projects await results of the reevaluation of the proposed federal flood damage reduction project and the associated watershed management plan.

The Harris County Flood Control District maintains several stormwater detention basins that were constructed as local mitigation by developers and then conveyed to the District.

CAPITAL PROJECTS IN PROGRESSClear Creek Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project: This federal project, authorized in 1968, encompasses the entire length of Clear Creek upstream to the Fort Bend county line and aims to reduce serious flooding problems that have affected area residents for many years. The project is a partnership of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the Harris County Flood Control District, Galveston County and Brazoria Drainage District No.4. The Corps is the lead agency.

Watershed Overview

Clear Creek watershed

Drainage Area137 Sq. Miles (excludes Armand Bayou) Watershed Population164,172 (2010) Open Stream Miles149 miles (in Harris County) Length of Clear Creek47 miles

Primary Streams/TributariesClear CreekTurkey CreekMud Gully (aka Beamer Ditch)

Other channels Taylor Lake/Taylor’s Bayou, Boggy Bayou, Cow Bayou, Camp Meeting Gully, Indian Trails Channel, Savel Gully, Cedar Gully

STATISTICS Harris County portion of Clear Creek watershed

The original project plan proposed in 1986 envisioned more than 14 miles of channel conveyance improvements from Clear Lake to the Brazoria County line, along with other improvements such as bridge replacements and an outlet and gated structure on Clear Lake at Galveston Bay. The Second Outlet Channel and Gated Structure was completed in July 1997 and will remain in any revised plan. It has been maintained by the Flood Control District since April 1998.

Because of objections from concerned citizens and organizations, the local sponsors conducted a 6-month review of the project and, in June 1999, the Corps initiated a General Reevaluation Study to recommend an effective, affordable and environmentally acceptable flood damage reduction project for Clear Creek. The reevaluation study has identified a National Economic Development (NED) alternative and is nearing completion. The recommended plan is expected to be released for public review and comment in 2011. Further information is available at the project website: www.clearcreekproject.com. David Randolph, P.E., HCFCD Study Manager.

Mud Gully Stormwater Detention Basin (Unit A520-03-00-E001)The site totals 174.8 acres including 134 newly-acquired acres located across Beamer Road from San Jacinto College plus a 40.8-acre tract south of South Fork Boulevard and east of Mud Gully (Unit A120-00-00) that was partially excavated (12 acres) prior to acquisition. Galveston County is expected to be a partner on this basin through an interlocal agreement. A Project Development Report is expected to be complete in late summer 2012. Gene Rushing, P.E., HCFCD Project Manager.

Upper Clear Creek Conveyance Improvements and Stormwater Detention Basin (Unit A100-00-00-P004) An alternative evaluation study is focusing on an area between A126-00-00 and SH 288, an area that is almost fully developed. The study aims to identify a basin site and stormwater conveyance

improvements that will reduce the house flooding potential resulting from water overflowing the banks of Clear Creek. It is expected to be complete in 2012. Brazoria Drainage District No. 4 may participate financially in this project. David Randolph, P.E., HCFCD Study Manager.

PLANNING STUDIES IN PROGRESSClear Creek Watershed Management Plan This plan updates a Regional Plan adopted in 1992 by the jurisdictions in the watershed. It meets requirements of the Corps to preserve the level of protection from flood risk provided by the Clear Creek Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project, as well as to preserve the environmental and recreational features of the federal project. The Phase 1 report which compiles existing information and develops specific objectives to guide Phase 2 work was completed in December 2008. Phase 2, which updates the watershed model to reflect all completed flood damage reduction projects as of May 2009, has been initiated with funding from the Clear Creek Steering Committee. Additional planning awaits results of the reevaluation of the proposed federal project. David Randolph, P.E., HCFCD Study Manager.

Watershed Master Study New watershed master plans are being studied for each of the 22 watersheds in Harris County. These plan-ning level studies take advantage of new technology to determine the capacity of many bayous and creeks; estimate the number of homes and businesses threatened by flooding during various rainfall events; provide guidance in support of new infrastructure and growth; and establish options for future flood damage reduction projects that place more emphasis on the environment and that have community support. The watershed master plan study will include information about tributaries and support the planning effort on the main channel by the Clear Creek Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project and the Clear Creek Watershed Management Plan. Gary Bezemek, P.E., HCFCD Study Manager.

For more information about the Clear Creek watershed, its studies and projects, or the Flood Control District, please visit our website at hcfcd.org. For more information on a particular study or project, please call the Study and Project Information Hotline at (713) 684-4040.

CLEAR CREEKTIDAL AREA

SOUTH HARRIS COUNTY