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Cameron County’s proposed resaca restoration feasibility study is one of 12 water-resources projects nationwide to be selected by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The county announced the news on Sept. 5. The study will identify where to conduct a pilot project to reconnect the county’s resaca system, much of it former distributary channels for the Rio Grande, in order to improve flood control, restore ecosystems, and enhance outdoor recreation, according to the announcement.
“Restoring the resaca system that has been disconnected over time by roads, railways and dikes will lead to a lower risk of flooding and improved transportation,” the county said. “In addition, restoring the resaca system will support biodiversity and increase ecotourism and outdoor recreation opportunities … for bird-watching, fishing and kayaking.”
The award for the Cameron County Multi-Purpose Resaca Restoration Study is authorized under the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 and is 100% federally funded.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was signed into law by President Joe Biden in November 2021. County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr. said he’s “extremely enthusiastic” about the county’s application being chosen for funding through the law.
“Restoring our wonderful resaca system, which is one of the natural assets that makes Cameron County truly unique, has been a priority project of mine for some time because, not only will it primarily help reduce localized flooding, which is a major concern in Cameron County, but will also provide opportunities for increased tourism and outdoor activities,” he said.
“We’ve established a great working relationship with the (USACE) through working collaboratively on other projects, and we look forward to getting started on this much-needed resaca restoration project.”
Precinct 3 County Commissioner David Garza said the county has been talking about getting a resaca project started for at least five years.
“The grant is fantastic,” he said. “This is going to be a fantastic opportunity for us to be able to showcase our project and to showcase what exists in Cameron County, which is one of the most unique hydrological areas.”
Resacas aren’t found in many other places in the United States, though Cameron County’s natural resaca system no long functions like it used to, Garza said.
“We’ve cut up the continuity of the natural flow of water from high land areas toward the river or toward the bay,” he said. “Railroad crossings, roads, new subdivisions, all these things just impede the natural flows of what we had.”
One aim of restoring the resaca system will be to allow water to be diverted from the Arroyo Colorado into Resaca de Los Fresnos — basically a natural retention pond — in order to reduce flooding in the Harlingen-San Benito area, Garza said.
The county has roughly 500 miles of old resaca beds, he noted, adding that the goal of the project is to eventually be able to show USACE that the county has succeeded in addressing flooding, restoring natural habitats and furthering economic and social justice — especially since flood-prone areas are usually in economically disadvantaged areas.
Augusto Sanchez, the county’s director of natural resources, said the feasibility study should take 9-15 months and will identify the best area to launch a pilot project. After the study comes engineering and construction.
“I believe that we’re probably looking at five years from the very beginning to the end of this project,” he said.
Once the county has a successful pilot project, it can be used as proof-of-concept to expand to the rest of the resaca system, Sanchez said.
Another important aspect of the feasibility study will be how to improve resaca access to the public, which is limited today, he said.
“This is also an opportunity to allow people to access (resacas), appreciate them and celebrate them,” Sanchez said. “That is a key component of the environmental justice and social justice that this project brings to the table.”
