AUSTIN, TEXAS – (May 11, 2022) – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved $10,097,281 in financial assistance from the Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) to mitigate flooding for homes and businesses along the Sparks Arroyo in Socorro, Texas. The City of Socorro will use the assistance for the planning, acquisition, design, and construction of the Sparks Arroyo Drainage Improvement Project.
The Sparks Arroyo Watershed spans a 2,288-acre area within El Paso County, Horizon City, and the City of Socorro. New residential and commercial developments in this drainage area have caused increased flooding downstream in Socorro, specifically in the area between the Mesa Drain Spur and Interstate 10. With the financial assistance approved today, the City of Socorro will construct a strategically placed drainage system, including culverts, concrete lining of the Sparks Arroyo drainage channel, the construction of the Stockyard Detention Basin, and the expansion of the Onion Field Retention Basin. The proposed improvements will decrease flooding by more effectively channeling and holding run-off water, help prevent erosion, and prevent the buildup of silt banks which also contribute to localized flooding in the City.
The approved project is eligible for FIF funding under category 2 of the 2020 Flood Intended Use Plan. This category was designated for planning, acquisition, design, and construction activities to implement flood mitigation projects. Passed by the 86th Texas Legislature and approved by voters through a constitutional amendment in 2019, FIF was created to provide funding for drainage, flood mitigation, and flood control projects. The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional water and flood planning, and preparing the state water and flood plans.
The City of Socorro is eager to commence work on this important flood mitigation project and wants to thank the TWDB for their financial support of this project.
For more information about this project and other Texas Water Development Board flood mitigation projects, please visit the TWDB Newsroom at https://texaswaternewsroom.org/index.html.
