Hidalgo County Drainage Projects Advance in State Flood Mitigation Funding List

Staff Report

EDINBURG TX – Two major Hidalgo County flood mitigation projects have advanced in the Texas Water Development Board’s (TWDB) final Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) Prioritization List, paving the way for potential funding in the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

The projects—designated as 2023 Bond Projects 4 and 5 – North Main Drain—are part of a long-term strategy by Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 (HCDD1) to improve drainage capacity and reduce flood risks across the region.

“These projects are transformative for our area and respond directly to the increasing frequency of high-intensity rain events,” HCDD1 officials said in a statement. “The 2018, 2019, and 2020 storms—and more recently, over 20 inches of rain recorded in some areas—underscore the urgent need for these improvements.”

The North Main Drain project will expand an existing drainage ditch between the J-09 Drain and the Main Floodway Channel. The 14.96-mile project, which spans parts of Edinburg and McAllen, will widen the channel from its current 100–154 feet to a proposed width of up to 360 feet, all within the existing right-of-way.

Once complete, the project is expected to benefit 1,521 structures and reduce flood depths by up to 1.7 feet. It is designed to handle a 50-year storm event, aligning with modern stormwater management standards.

TWDB will now invite approved entities to formally submit applications for funding. The FIF program, created by the 86th Texas Legislature and approved by Texas voters, provides loans and grants to support flood control, mitigation, and drainage initiatives statewide.

HCDD1 officials credited strong legislative support for the project’s advancement, thanking Senators Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa and Adam Hinojosa, and Representatives Armando “Mando” Martinez, Sergio Muñoz Jr., Terry Canales, Oscar Longoria, and Bobby Guerra for their advocacy.

For more details on the 2023 Bond Projects, visit www.hcdd1.org.

Source — Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1.