Watershed Concepts called to Texas to assist with flood recovery...

Watershed Concepts was contacted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in July 2002 to assist in disaster recovery for areas of central and south central Texas devastated by massive flooding. FEMA has set up telephone registration for affected individuals to identify flood-damaged areas with urgent needs. Watershed Concepts proposes to collect high water marks, interview witnesses and develop flood recovery maps for stream sections identified by FEMA. The type of study proposed for each stream section is based on the level of flood data currently available.

For eight days from June 29th to July 7th, a low pressure system stalled over central and south central Texas, pumping moisture inland from the Gulf of Mexico. For the first time since it filled in 1968, Canyon Lake in Comal County poured over its spillway, adding to the flood-swollen Guadalupe River. At Medina Lake, flood waters topped the spillway and rose within 18 inches of the top of the ninety-year-old dam. Rainfall accumulations ranged from 5 to 35 inches across the region.

Rains and flooding caused nine deaths and endangered hundreds of lives, with 250 high-water rescue calls reported. Thousands of homes were damaged by water and mud. More than 130 roads were closed and hundreds of commercial flights were delayed. Thousands of citizens lost power and telephone service.

The Governor of Texas requested an expedited declaration and on July 4th President Bush signed a Major Disaster Declaration. With subsequent amendments to the declaration, thirty-seven counties have now been declared disaster areas.

Watershed Concepts role in supporting FEMA:

• Collection and survey of high water marks along affected flooding sources.

Click here for reports on high water marks in PDF format.

• Flood Recovery Maps (click here to view)