The Texas Water Development Board has approved nearly $130 million in funding for the City of Dallas to help manage flooding on the Trinity River.
The money from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is a mix of grant funding and financing from the state’s Flood Infrastructure Fund, reported KERA News. The funding is intended to be used for constructing new levees, as well as adding new pump stations, renovating existing ones, and removing old ones. The money would also be used to improve controls in the sump system.
In August of 2022, a major flood hit Dallas after the city received more than 13 inches of rain in a span of 18 hours. The flood destroyed homes and vehicles, resulting in at least one death — a 60-year-old woman who died after the heavy waters swept away her vehicle.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins declared a state of disaster as a result of the flooding.
An estimated $6 billion in damages and economic loss were caused by the flood, according to Kathy Hopkins, TWDB grant coordinator manager, per KERA. Hopkins claims the 2022 flood was a reason for the grant.
The new levees would be added to existing levees from the Dallas Floodway Extension Project.
According to City officials, the city council is expected to vote on whether to accept the $130 million in funding before this summer, per KERA News. Construction on the new projects is anticipated to last through 2031 if approved.
In January, the TWDB will host the Water for Texas conference, bringing together industry experts and city leaders to discuss droughts, floods, Texas water policy, funding strategies, innovative solutions to water challenges, and water science and technology.
