Temple, March 3, 2022 – President Joe Biden and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing more than $166.5 million in 108 infrastructure projects as part of implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is working with local communities in 23 states to invest in new dam and flood prevention projects and in repairs on existing watershed infrastructure, which are all part of USDA’s broader national infrastructure investment.  

Through this first round of projects, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is funding, NRCS prioritized projects in communities heavily impacted by drought and other natural disasters as well as historically underserved and limited resource communities. 

“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to building back better, and this starts with our infrastructure,” Vilsack said. “Protecting our watersheds and saving lives is paramount. These investments in our watershed programs will provide much needed support for communities to build resilience in the face of climate change. We can extend financial assistance to underserved communities that live in constant fear of flooding, help with the effects of severe weather events, and put systems in place that will ensure a climate resilient future to help communities thrive in the years to come.”  

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed in November by President Biden, provided $918 million for NRCS watershed programs, which includes the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program, Watershed Rehabilitation Program (REHAB) and Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program. Through NRCS watershed programs, NRCS works with local, eligible sponsors, including state government entities, local municipalities, conservation districts and federally recognized tribal organizations.  

There were no WFPO projects in Texas which focus on new infrastructure.

REHAB project in Texas focus on repairing existing infrastructure, and they include:  

Upper Brushy 25 – TX31

Upper Brushy Creek No. 25 is a single purpose flooding retarding structure (FRS) that was designed in 1972 and built by the NRCS in 1975 as a low hazard dam and is located on Little Mustang Creek, a tributary to South Fork Mustang Creek, approximately three miles west of Taylor, Texas. The results of the current dam assessment support a “Significant Hazard” classification.

Olmitos & Garcias Creek Site 5 and 6 – TX28

The Olmitos-Garcia Creek Watershed Site 5 was built in 1961 and provides flood protection and recreational benefits to surrounding areas of Starr County. Rehabilitation of this dam is necessary to bring the dam into compliance with NRCS and Texas state dam safety criteria and performance standards and reduce risk to loss of life.

Olmitos and Garcias Creeks Dam Site 6 is a single purpose FRS that was designed and constructed as a low hazard dam. Site 6 was constructed in 1961 on El Gato Creek, a tributary of the Rio Grande River. It was determined that Site 6 does not meet design criteria for adequately passing the PSH, which is the 24-hour design storm that the structure is to safely contain without engaging the auxiliary spillway. Site 6 has been classified as a "high hazard" dam due to the risk of loss of life downstream should the dam breach

Nolan Creek Site 12 – TX31

Nolan Creek FRS No. 12 is a single purpose dam that was designed and constructed as a significant hazard dam. It was constructed in 1970 on an unnamed tributary of South Nolan Creek, a tributary of Nolan Creek, in Bell County, Texas. It does not meet current dam design and safety requirements and is currently classified as “high hazard” due to the risk of loss of life downstream should the dam breach.

Lower East Fork Laterals Site 9 and 10 – TX05

Historical floods in the past 67 years since FRS No. 9 and FRS No. 10 were constructed have caused the auxiliary spillways to function on at least four occasions on FRS No. 9 and more than ten occasions on FRS 10. These FRSs were constructed as low hazard dams in a series. Residential development has occurred downstream of the dams, an increase in traffic has occurred downstream of FRS No. 10 on FM 148, and FRS No. 10 has developed both sand boils and seepage issues at the downstream toe. These factors have caused concerns regarding the hydraulic capacity of the dams and human health and safety. As a result, the dams have been reclassified as high hazard dams.

Lower Plum 28 – TX27

Lower Plum Creek Site 28 is an existing floodwater retarding structure located approximately east of Lockhart and approximately 0.6 miles north of the McMahan Community, Caldwell County, Texas. Site 28 was designed in 1962 and constructed in 1963 by the Soil Conservation Service (now Natural Resources Conservation Service) cooperating with the Caldwell-Travis County Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), Hays County SWCD and the Plum Creek Conservation District as a single-purpose, low hazard, floodwater retarding structure located in a predominantly agriculture area. Due to downstream development, the site has been reclassified as a high hazard potential structure.

Tehuacana Creek Site 21 – TX17

Tehuacana Creek FRS No. 21 is a single purpose FRS that was designed in 1963 and built by the NRCS in 1965 as a low hazard dam and is located approximately east of Axtell in McLennan County, Texas. FRS No. 21 does not meet current dam design and safety requirements and is currently classified as “high hazard” due to the risk of loss of life downstream should the dam breach.

IIJA also provided EWP funds and those funds are available for communities to respond to natural disasters. NRCS will continue to assist communities as it receives disaster requests.

A full list of projects is available on NRCS’ Landscape Planning and Watershed Programs webpage.

Implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Since the bill was signed into law, NRCS has hosted training webinars focused on educating potential sponsors and historically underserved communities about the funding opportunities provided by the new legislation.  

NRCS conducted an assessment of current needs for watershed protection and flood prevention work. This assessment supported the establishment of priorities that focused funding on the most critical and highest priority projects for improving the Nation’s land and water resources.  

NRCS encourages local sponsors to submit requests for funding through their local NRCS Watershed Program Manager. For Texas projects, contact Mark Northcut at 254-742-9824. On March 31, 2022, NRCS will compile any additional request received and develop a second list of projects to fund. After March 31, 2022, NRCS will continue to review and fund requests as funds are available.

More Information  

Since their enactment in 1948, NRCS’ watershed programs have designed and built 11,000 dams, constructed water storage structures, flood management systems, bank stabilization, moved towns, redirected stream flows, re-established wildlife habitat and more to save lives and protect watersheds. 

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.