Watershed Engineering

About Us

Watershed Protection is responsible for managing the City’s drainage utility and watershed infrastructure.

We also administer the City’s Flood Protection and Prevention Program, and review commercial, residential and subdivision plans to ensure compliance with Local, State and Federal rules regulations.

Contact Us

Construction

The TCEQ administers the statewide Construction General Permit (CGP). This permit requires that work site operators reduce pollutants discharged from their site to the maximum extent practicable. As the local MS4 operator, the City of Waco is able to inspect construction sites and ensure compliance under the CGP.

  • If your site will disturb less than 1 acre of soil:
    Submit an Erosion Control Plan to the City of Waco.
  • If your site will disturb more than 1 acre but less than 5 acres of soil:
    Prepare and implement a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3); post a site notice (obtained from TCEQ); and submit your site notice to the City of Waco.
  • If your site will disturb more than 5 acres of soil:
    Prepare and implement a SWP3; submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to TCEQ; post a site notice (obtained from TCEQ); and submit a copy of your NOI to the City of Waco.
  • **If your site disturbs less than 1 acre of soil but is part of a Larger Common Plan of Development that cumulatively will disturb more than 1 acre of soil but less than 5 acres of soil:
    Prepare and implement a SWP3; post a site notice (obtained from TCEQ); and submit your site notice to the City of Waco.
  • **If your site disturbs less than 5 acres of soil but is part of a Larger Common Plan of Development that cumulatively will disturb more than 5 acres of soil:
    Prepare and implement a SWP3; submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to TCEQ; post a site notice (obtained from TCEQ); and submit a copy of your NOI to the City of Waco.

Watershed documents can be submitted in hard copy to the Inspection Services Department with your other building documents or online through MyGov.

Construction sites in the City of Waco may be subject to watershed inspections at any point in the duration of the project. Such an inspection could include:

  • A review of your watershed documentation: erosion control plan, SWP3, NOI, or site notice (as applicable)
  • An assessment of your site and BMPs: silt fences, construction entrances, concrete washouts, etc.

Creek Flooding

The primary focus of the Creek Flooding group is to reduce the impacts of flood along creeks, rivers and lakes on the lives and property of the residents of Waco. This is done through Capital Improvement Projects and enforcement of the City’s Flood Prevention and Protection Ordinance.

In 2021, participation with the National Flood Insurance Program and FEMA, the City began updating the 100-yr floodplains in the area. To see if your property has been impacted by updates that have been approved by FEMA, visit the Floodplain Viewer. If you would like to ask the Floodplain Administrator or other City staff a question, fill out the Floodplain Questionnaire or email floodplain@wacotx.gov.

Floodplain FAQs

Do I need to buy flood insurance?
The City does not require, nor does it provide, flood insurance. That is a matter between the property owner and lender. Flood insurance is generally recommended, even if you are not in the floodplain since most homeowner’s policies do not cover rising water.

Doesn’t my homeowner’s insurance flood coverage?
Homeowner’s insurance does not typically include coverage for rising water. Consult with your insurance agent.

Why is the City doing this?
Floodplain maps in the City have not been updated since the were originally created in the mid-1970s. There has been significant growth in the area since that time, technology has advanced and rainfall patterns in Texas have shifted. While this project updates the maps, the properties were already at risk of flooding.

What can I do to get out of the floodplain?
If you believe the floodplain maps are in error, you may submit a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) to FEMA. This would need to be based on information from a Registered Surveyor or a Professional Engineer.

How will this affect my home value?
Many factors go into property valuations and that is outside the scope of the City of Waco. Contact a local real estate agent or an appraiser for more complete information. For structures in the floodplain, the relationship between the base flood elevation and the lowest finished floor elevation is a major factor.

Can I build in the floodplain?
Development in the floodplain can still occur but it requires compliance with City of Waco Flood Protection and Prevention Ordinance, FEMA regulations and a Floodplain Development Permit. The primary requirements are

  1. the development not create an adverse impact on other properties and
  2. the minimum finished floor elevation be at least one foot above the base flood elevation.
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