City secures $90 million for Lebow Channel flood mitigation project

City secures $90 million for Lebow Channel flood mitigation project

Published on January 14, 2026

The mission of the City of Fort Worth's Stormwater Program to "Protect People and Property from Harmful Stormwater Runoff" has taken a major step forward in reducing flood risk in the Lebow Channel corridor. On Dec. 16, 2025, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved $90 million in financial assistance for the Upper Lebow Channel Flood Mitigation Project. This package includes $18.75 million in grant funding and $71.25 million in zero-interest financing through the state's Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF).

Why this matters

The Lebow Channel area, located in Council District 2, has a long history of flooding, with five fatalities and over 100 flood incidents reported since 2009. Approximately 300 homes remain within the 100-year floodplain. This investment will significantly improve public safety and reduce the flood risk to properties as part of the Stormwater Program's mission.

Project overview: Address flood risk along the Lebow Channel corridor, spanning from Long Avenue north to DeRidder Drive - an area historically prone to flooding due to an undersized, 75-year-old channel.

Project scope: Construction of a 20-acre detention basin with recreational green space and vegetation establishment.

• Widening and rehabilitation of approximately 1.5 miles of existing channel to increase capacity and mitigate erosion.

• Bridge and culvert upgrades at multiple crossings.

Phases and estimated timeline:

• TWDB funding award: Dec. 16, 2025

• Design & modeling: 2026-2027

• Construction start: Early 2028

• Completion: Early 2033

Funding strategy

In addition to the state assistance, the City is awaiting a decision on a $50 million FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant. If awarded, this federal funding would reduce the amount of zero-interest loan needed from the state. A final FEMA decision is expected by February, and the City must finalize acceptance of the state grant/loan by June 16.

Financial benefits

• The funding structure will save the City approximately $52.4 million in interest over the life of the loan.

• Combining state grants and zero-interest loans reduces ratepayer burden while maximizing public investment.

History of investment in Lebow Channel

Since the Stormwater Program was founded in 2006, Fort Worth has invested over $33 million in Lebow Channel improvements:

• $15M for 166 property buyouts, removal of five low-water crossings and upgrading of major bridges.

• $14.3M for stream restoration and culvert improvements.

• $4M for design and property acquisition for Upper Lebow improvements.

History of Stormwater Program and funding sources

The Stormwater Program was created by City Council in 2006 as an enterprise-funded utility to address flooding issues throughout the city after a catastrophic rain event in 2004 caused both loss of life to several residents and flooded over 300 properties.

Before 2006, flooding issues in Fort Worth were primarily addressed reactively and paid for by general budget funding. Enterprise funding means that the Stormwater Program generates its own financial resources, rather than utilizing funding from the General Fund.

The way in which the Stormwater Program is primarily funded is through its own Stormwater Utility Fee, which is collected through the City's Water Department water bill, with rates based on the amount of impervious surface for properties across the city. As of Jan. 1, the average residential property owner pays $7.29 per month. For more information on the Stormwater Utility Rates, please visit https://bit.ly/4q2qjWg.

In 2026, the Stormwater Program's budget is just below $70 million to address over a billion dollars in flooding issues throughout the entire city. The program's total annual budget is significantly less than the funding for the Upper Lebow Channel. Without the grant and loan funding, the plan to address the remaining Lebow Channel flooding issues was to make improvements in phases, over a much longer timeframe.

The grant and loan funding allows the program to expedite those plans over the course of just a few years instead and also allows the program to divide its funding and efforts on other flood-prone areas throughout the city. This grant and loan funding not only fast-tracks the flood protection to lives and property, but it also saves the program and City money, since those same improvements would become even more costly over the span of decades.

More information on the Stormwater Program's future priorities for funding and work efforts can be found online.

District 2 Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Flores adds this statement about the Lebow Channel: "I continue working with the City's Stormwater Program to work out a multiphase plan to mitigate flooding in the Lebow Channel. To date, $33M in Lebow Channel improvements have significantly reduced the amount of flooding, thereby increasing public safety. I enthusiastically welcome the news of the Texas Water Development Board-approved $90M funding from the State Flood Infrastructure Fund Grant for the Upper Lebow Flood Mitigation Improvements Project!"

Key benefits of Lebow Channel Flood Mitigation Project

Flood risk reduction and public safety improvements

• Reduces the likelihood of repetitive flooding events, which have caused over five fatalities and 100 reported incidents since 2009.

• Reduces flood risk for drivers by improvements in roadway safety:

• Upgrades bridge and culvert crossings at dangerous low-water crossings to mitigate roadway flooding.
• Enhances emergency response by reducing swift-water rescue incidents.

• Mitigates flood risk to approximately 300 homes in the Upper Lebow area that are currently within the 100-year floodplain.

Economic & financial benefits

• Saves the City an estimated $52.4 million in interest costs through zero-interest financing.

• Potential FEMA grant could further reduce loan burden, minimizing ratepayer impact.

• Protects property values and reduces long-term flood insurance costs for residents.

Environmental & community enhancements

• Provides green space and recreation alongside enhanced stormwater infrastructure, which will result in improved quality of life as well as protecting water quality:

• The 20-acre detention basin will provide multiuse recreational green space.

• Vegetation plantings protect water quality and provide habitat.

• Supports long-term flood risk reduction and demonstrates Fort Worth's commitment to resilience, creating safer, more resilient neighborhoods and improving quality of life.

Infrastructure resilience

• Modernizes a 75-year-old channel system to handle increased stormwater from urban development.

• Aligns with Fort Worth's long-term flood mitigation and capital improvement goals.

Next steps

Immediate actions

Finalize funding agreements

The City must accept the TWDB grant and zero-interest loan by June 16.

Await FEMA's decision on the $50 million Flood Mitigation Assistance grant, expected by February. If awarded, this will reduce the loan amount needed from the state.

Property acquisition

Continue voluntary acquisitions and move forward with condemnation of approximately nine acres needed for the detention pond behind Diamond Hill Estates.

Project development

Design phase

Begin full design in summer/fall 2026, including hydraulic modeling, channel widening plans and bridge/culvert upgrades.

Permitting & easements

Secure temporary construction easements for parcels adjacent to the channel.

Keep channel improvements within existing right-of-way where possible.

Construction timeline

Start construction

Planned for early 2028.

Completion

Estimated by early 2033.

Resources

• For more information the Lebow Channel project, visit the City's Capital Projects page.
• Learn more and stay informed about the mission of the Stormwater Program to "Protect People & Property from Harmful Stormwater Runoff."

If you have questions or concerns about drainage issues:

• Use the MyFW app to report flooding or clogged storm drain inlets.
• Contact the City Call Center at 817-392-1234.
• Email.
• Report online.

Photo: Flooding at Upper Lebow Creek.

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Tagged as:

• Project Update
• District 2