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Devastating and costly floods during the early 20th century led the U.S. Congress to pass the Flood Control Act of 1917. The provisions of the 1917 Act were designed to reduce flood damage along the Mississippi, Ohio, and Sacramento Rivers. Since that time, multiple versions of the Flood Control Act have been passed by the U.S. Congress. At the passing of the Flood Control Act of 1954, congress established a cooperation between the federal government and states and locals to prevent flood damage, thus opening the door to the creation of flood control districts within states.
In 1957, the State of Texas passed legislation that created the Elm Creek Watershed Authority district “to control, store, and distribute the water and floodwaters within the district for the conservation, preservation, reclamation and improvement of the soil and lands; to carry out flood prevention measures to prevent or aid in the prevention of damage to land and soil; to engage in land treatment measures to prevent deterioration, erosion and loss of land and soil; to carry out preventive and control measures; to construct, acquire, improve, carry out, maintain, repair and operate dams, structures, projects and works of improvement for flood prevention…”
The Elm Creek Watershed Authority was created as a conservation and reclamation district in portions of Bell, Falls, McLennan and Milam Counties to serve a public use and benefit of the properties within the boundaries, controlling the flood waters of Elm Creek.
Elm Creek Watershed Authority was granted taxation powers when established, as well as the right to issue and sell bonds, all of which are used for acquiring easements, maintenance and operations expenses. Elm Creek Watershed Authority is governed by an elected board of eight directors, each serving a 4 year term, meeting regularly once a month.
Today, the Elm Creek Watershed Authority operates and maintains thirty-four flood control structures in portions of Bell, Falls, McLennan and Milam Counties. These earthen dams were designed and constructed by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Twelve of these structures now classify as high-hazard dams due to the safety regulations of US Army Corps of Engineers and the State of Texas and are in the process of upgrading to meet those requirements. In addition to upgrading the structures, Elm Creek Watershed Authority is required to develop Emergency Action Plans and coordinate with each county emergency officials to implement such action as needed.
The Elm Creek Watershed Authority operates and maintains thirty-four flood control structures in parts of Bell, Falls, McLennan and Milam Counties.
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