Flood Research

Soliciting Stakeholder Ideas for Flood Research Projects

Submission Deadline for FY24-25: July 31, 2023

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is soliciting ideas for research on topics of priority regarding flooding in Texas. The intent of this solicitation is to provide stakeholders the opportunity to suggest potential project ideas.

Proposed research ideas may be for new projects that support flood planning or flood science, or they may be ideas that build upon previous research projects conducted by the TWDB. Additionally, project ideas previously submitted will be considered for current and future rounds of funding. By soliciting ideas from stakeholders and maintaining a running list of potential project ideas, we aim to develop a more comprehensive view of work that could benefit our stakeholders and provide a greater understanding of flood-related issues impacting the state.

All project ideas should, at a minimum,

  • improve the state’s resilience to flood events;
  • be applicable statewide or be applicable across multiple communities;
  • not require ongoing funding; and
  • not focus primarily on purchasing equipment (gages, sensors, etc.).

Additionally, preference will be given to projects that

  • are likely to reduce risk, impact, or loss of life and/or property in flood events;
  • benefit large populations, large geographic areas, or historically underserved areas;
  • address an unresolved issue in an area that experiences frequent flood events;
  • have the potential to produce near-term (1-2 years preferably, up to 5 years) flood resilience benefits;
  • support TWDB flood programs (state and regional flood planning, flood science and community assistance, flood infrastructure fund, etc.);
  • will fully answer a question or produce a useable product.

Funding to support flood-related research becomes available in September 2023 and September of every subsequent odd-numbered year if there are no changes to the current flood research program structure and program funding is continued. In August 2023, the TWDB Flood Priority Research Steering Committee will begin reviewing project ideas submitted via this solicitation alongside research ideas submitted internally. Research project ideas will be evaluated in the context of available funding (anticipated to be $700,000 for the Fiscal Year 2024 – Fiscal Year 2025 biennium) based on the criteria described above. A list of submitted project ideas, as well as identification of projects selected for funding, will be listed on this webpage in the fall of 2023.

Please use the link below to access the idea solicitation form, and contact Kayla Shearhart, Water Science & Conservation Program Specialist with any questions.

Link to Submission Form

Flood Priority Research

In 2019, the 86th Texas Legislature appropriated funding to the TWDB to support a variety of flood-related efforts, including research on topics of priority regarding flood. The TWDB subsequently initiated its Flood Priority Research efforts and formed a TWDB Flood Priority Research Steering Committee, made up of TWDB staff, to develop research initiatives and oversee the program.

Note that funding for some projects is augmented by sources other than the Flood Priority Research funding, and occasionally flood research projects are developed exclusively using other funding sources. Click on the project name for more information.

During the 2022 - 2023 biennium, $700,000 was made available to support flood priority research, and five topics were chosen for funding:

In the program's first biennium (Fiscal Years 2020 - 2021), $600,000 was allocated to pursue four flood priority research projects:

Click on the project name above for more information. All project completion dates are estimates and are subject to change. Reports or other products developed by contractors may not be immediately available upon project completion as the TWDB may consider further modifications prior to public release.

For questions on Flood Priority Research work or specific projects, please send an email to floodpriorityresearch@twdb.texas.gov.

Non-Flood Priority Research Funded Projects

The Flood Priority Research steering committee also oversees research projects that are funded outside of Flood Priority Research funds given by the legislature. Below is a list of projects from FY22. Click on the project name for more information.

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