Flood 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 the Flood Priority Research Program and formed a TWDB Flood Priority Research Steering Committee, made up of TWDB staff, to develop research initiatives and oversee the program.

TWDB Soliciting Stakeholder Ideas for Flood Research Projects

Submit ideas by 5:00pm Central Time on Friday, October 31st.

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 flood research projects conducted by the TWDB. By soliciting ideas from stakeholders, 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. NOTE: This is not a grant program, nor does submission of ideas guarantee any funding for the individuals submitting the form.

All project ideas should, at a minimum

reduce the risk and impact of flooding in the state of Texas;
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 (preferably within 1-2 years, 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.

Starting in November 2025, 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 2026 - Fiscal Year 2027 biennium) based on the criteria described above.

Please submit your idea by completing the submission form by 5:00pm CDT on October 31st. To avoid potential conflicts of interest, we will only accept anonymous project ideas. Ideas submitted with names, affiliations, or other identifying information will not be considered.

Contact Kayla Shearhart, Water Science & Conservation Program Specialist, at kayla.shearhart@twdb.texas.gov with any questions.

In the 2024 - 2025 biennium, $700,000 was allotted for flood priority research projects. The linked project listed below has been initiated, while the others remain under development.

Application of Artificial Intelligence in Flood Risk Assessment and Mitigation in the State of Texas
Guidance on Asset Management of Community Stormwater Systems
Development of a Standardized Methodology for Prioritizing Acquisition of Flood-Prone Properties
Flood Easements for Water Surface Elevation Impacts

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:

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.

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

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

Below is a list of projects funded outside of the Flood Priority Research program that are also overseen by the Flood Priority Research steering committee. Click on the project name for more information.