Last week, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved a $500,000 grant from the state’s General Revenue Fund to the Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 for continued work on the Raymondville Drain Project. The funding is authorized under Rider No. 21 of the General Appropriations Act for the 2024–25 Biennium passed in the 88th Legislative Session. Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, author of the rider, designated these funds specifically for this purpose, allowing the TWDB to allocate these dollars directly to the Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 without requiring participation in other TWDB financing programs.
The Raymondville drain outfall system currently serves a watershed of more than 1,600 square miles, stretching from Edinburg Lake in Hidalgo County to the Laguna Madre in Willacy County. Originally designed to handle agricultural runoff from storm events with a 9.5-year recurrence interval, the system has been overwhelmed during major storms due to the region’s extraordinary population growth, resulting in repeated flooding.
The Raymondville Drain Project, authorized under the federal Water Resources Development Act of 1986 and developed in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will create a 60-mile drainage channel system to provide an alternate conveyance route for stormwater in Hidalgo County and improved drainage for northern Willacy County. The full $418 million project is divided into six major phases to be constructed as funding becomes available.
Planned improvements include:
· Construction of 14+ miles of new drainage channels
· Upgrades to approximately 40 miles of existing channels
· Building a 250-acre detention lake south of Edinburg International Airport
· Installation of multiple weirs, bridges, and flood control structures
State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa issued the following statement:
“This $500,000 award is another important step forward in protecting our communities from flooding and improving drainage infrastructure for the future. Session after session, I have authored and protected this rider in the budget, and I appreciate the TWDB for taking action to provide these funds to the Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1. This project will provide long-term benefits to residents across Hidalgo and Willacy Counties by reducing flood risks, protecting property, and supporting the region’s continued growth.”