Commissioner Lesley Briones and the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) hosted a groundbreaking Tuesday along Mason Creek in Nottingham Country, marking the start of construction on the Barker Reservoir Watershed Rehabilitation and Restoration Project.
During Hurricane Harvey, Nottingham Country streets were impassable, and in neighboring subdivisions, hundreds of homes flooded. This project lessens flood risk for over 112,000 people by:
- Restoring 3.25 miles of upstream channels
- Adding 1.1 miles of new storm pipe
- Installing 30,000 tons of rock to repair erosion
- Removing sediment buildup and blockages
“We all have our horror stories of what happened to our families, friends, homes, and churches during Harvey,” said Commissioner Lesley Briones. “Know that we will continue to deliver on new capital flood mitigation projects and maintain our current infrastructure to maximize protection for the next big storm. Together, we are taking care of business along Barker Reservoir to deliver progress and protection to keep our families safe.”
The $10 million Barker Reservoir Watershed Rehabilitation and Restoration Project is part of the HCFCD maintenance program approved by voters in November 2024. The goal is to invest approximately $2 million each year over the next five years. HCFCD identified eight initial sites with more to come as the project progresses:
- I-10 / Park Row Area
- Cinco Ranch Greenway Village
- Cornerstone Place
- George Bush Park
- Green Trails
- Green Trails Oaks
- Nottingham Country
- Oak Park Trails
“For years, critical maintenance across our flood control system was delayed due to a lack of dedicated funding. That has now changed,” said Dr. Tina Petersen, Executive Director, HCFCD. “Thanks to the leadership of Commissioner Briones and her colleagues on Commissioners Court, we now have a reliable, sustained funding source to address long-overdue repairs and accelerate critical work to strengthen the infrastructure our communities depend on every day.”
“During Hurricane Harvey, we watched how far the water came up. Families suffered terrible losses, and the effects stayed with them long after the storm was over,” said Jan Adam, Kelliwood Estates Resident. “These repairs to Mason Creek represent more than construction. They represent protection, progress, and peace of mind for the families who live here.”
“What Commissioner Briones is doing for us is to help blaze a path about how we invest in people,” said Rev. Preston Greenwalt, Lead Pastor, St. Peter’s United Methodist Church. “Because these are more than houses and sheetrock being protected by this effort, they’re families with a story.”
Commissioner Briones continues to work closely with HCFCD to ensure Harris County is prepared for the next major storm. Proactive maintenance and long-term flood mitigation investments strengthen disaster readiness, advance flood resilience, and help keep families safe before, during, and after the storm.
For more information on HCFCD maintenance projects, visit the Maintenance Matters website.