2016 Projects of the Watershed Rehabilitation Program
NRCS invested about $10.4 million in the Watershed Rehabilitation Program to fund five watershed rehabilitation projects in two states. Of that amount, $8.5 million in assistance will be used for the design and construction of five projects in Texas and Utah. Read the News Release.
Below is a breakdown of funding by state:
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State
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NRCS’ Investment
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Description of Work
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Texas
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$4.8 million
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Design and construction of four watershed rehabilitation projects in Ellis and Williamson counties.
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Utah
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$3.7 million
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Construction of a watershed rehabilitation project in Utah County.
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TOTAL
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$8.5 million
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Below is a list of the fiscal year 2016 projects:
TEXAS
Trinity River - Chambers Creek Sites 10 & 11
Sponsors: Ellis-Prairie SWCD and Ellis County Commissioners Court
FY16 Funded Status: Design
Sites 10 and 11 in the Trinity River-Chambers Creek Watershed of Ellis County, Texas, will be included in a USDA funded rehabilitation partnership project. Currently awaiting design, these dams are in series and provide protection against flooding to about 105 Texans who live and work downstream. Additionally, they protect one U.S. Highway, one Farm to Market Road, a railroad and one street, that together support approximately 20,000 vehicles daily. Among other critical infrastructure, the dam also protects power lines, water lines and fiber optic cables.
Lower Brushy Creek Site 20
Sponsors: Lower Brushy Creek WCID and Taylor SWCD
FY16 Funded Status: Construction
Site 20 in the Lower Brushy Creek Watershed of Williamson County, Texas, will be included in a USDA funded rehabilitation partnership project. Currently finishing the design, the dam provides protection against flooding to about 15 Texans who live and work downstream. Additionally, it protects two county roads, and one Farm to Market Road that together support over 1,600 vehicles daily. Among other critical infrastructure, the dam also protects power lines, water lines and fiber optic cables. Annually the rehabilitation project is expected to provide about $67,000 of flood damage reduction benefits.
Williams Creek Site 3
Sponsors: Gillespie WCID No. 1, Gillespie County SWCD and Pedernales SWCD
FY16 Funded Status: Construction
Site 3 in the Williams Creek Watershed of Gillespie County, Texas, will be included in a USDA funded rehabilitation partnership project. Currently completing design, the dam provides protection against flooding to about 40 Texans who live and work downstream. Additionally, protects 4 county roads, one Ranch to Market Road and one U.S. Highway that together support over 5,000 vehicles daily. Among other critical infrastructure, the dam also protects power lines, water lines and fiber optic cables. Annually the rehabilitation project is expected to provide about $61,000 of flood damage reduction benefits.
UTAH
American Creek- Dry Creek Site Dry Creek
Principal Sponsors: North Utah County Water Conservancy District and Lehi City
FY16 Funded Status: Construction
NRCS is currently developing a design to rehabilitate Dry Creek Debris Basin, located within the cities of Lehi and Highland, Utah. A 2005 assessment determined Dry Creek Debris Basin does not meet current NRCS and state regulations and engineering standards. This project will rehabilitate the dam to meet current NRCS and Utah State Dam Safety regulations, current engineering standards, and stabilize the existing dam structures. This work will extend the dam’s life from 50 years to a maximum of 100 years. The project would also restore the design storage capacity in the reservoir by possibly raising the height of the dam, removing sediment, and enlarging the spillway.
