Concepcion Creek Drainage Project
Concepcion Creek Drainage Project
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is revising its flood maps to identify which homes and parcels of land in San Antonio could be at risk of flooding during heavy rainfall. As the federal agency responsible for helping individuals and communities prepare for potential disasters, FEMA classifies any area with a 1 percent or higher annual chance of flooding as being at high risk. The new proposed flood maps will categorize over 4,000 structures within the Concepcion Creek watershed as being in the revised floodplain, with more than 1,800 of these structures being newly identified as flood risk areas. These draft maps are expected to take effect in 2027. Even without damaging flooding, homes within a floodplain are typically devalued and may require flood insurance due to federal floodplain regulations.
To mitigate the flooding impact on these structures, as a proactive measure, the City plans to explore various innovative improvement options that do not involve mandatory buyouts and displacement.
The Concepcion Creek Drainage project will be a multi-phased project that will design and construct drainage and flood control improvements to reduce the risk of flooding in Concepcion Creek areas impacted within the San Antonio River Watershed and its tributaries.
Phase: Planning
For more information: Public Works Storm Water Division at 210-207-5013
Estimated Timeline:
- August 21, 2025 - City Council Action: Grant Award Funding Acceptance & Design Firm Contract Award
- Summer 2025 - Design Contract Execution (Planning & Data Gathering)
- September 2025 - Neighborhood Communication Advocacy Group Meeting
- Fall 2025 - Community Workshop(s)
- Winter 2026 - Analysis
- Spring 2026 - Neighborhood Communication Advocacy Group and Community Meetings
New Project Approach
To improve transparency and community engagement in the project development process, the City will execute a multi-faceted approach centered on fostering open communication, providing accessible information and actively involving residents and businesses throughout the process.
This approach will include:
- New Focus
- Explore new innovative solution options that avoid mandatory buyouts and displacement.
- Fresh Start
- Reevaluate the project from a fresh perspective.
- Hire a firm to execute a robust community input process to develop a strategic plan outlining community-supported potential project phases, funding sources, and partnerships for proposed drainage relief solutions.
- Improved Communication & Public Engagement
- Establish a Neighborhood Communication Advocacy Group comprised of resident and business owner representatives to help staff with effectively communicating easy-to-understand updates and project information to the various neighborhoods potentially impacted.
- Hosting community workshops to educate the community and provide opportunities for residents, business owners, property owners, and commuters to provide input and feedback.
Neighborhood Communication Advocacy Group
This group is comprised of resident and business owner representatives selected by the Council District 5 Office. These members will play a vital role in working with City staff to provide valuable insights and assistance in improving the communication of important information about the project with the community.
For more information: Neighborhood Communication Advocacy Group Orientation Summary
Grant Funding
In 2024, the Public Works Department was informed of a grant award by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), in collaboration with FEMA, for the Concepcion Creek Project. The Legislative Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program Grant funds in the amount of $1,383,069 were earmarked to be awarded to the City of San Antonio by FEMA through TDEM. The City of San Antonio will be responsible for the local matching share of 25% of eligible activity costs. The match for this project is $462,393, which the City will pay for from available Storm Water Regional Facilities funds included in the FY 2025 Capital Budget.
Through this grant, the City will hire a consultant to:
- Lead a series of community workshops anticipated to be scheduled later this year to gather extensive public input to develop community-supported and innovative solutions.
- Analyze and develop a strategic plan outlining potential phases, funding sources and partnerships for proposed drainage relief projects. All infrastructure options will be considered, including the expansion of the underground drainage system.
The acceptance of the grant funding and the approval of the professional services agreement with the consulting firm will be presented to the Mayor and City Council during the City Council A-Session meeting scheduled for August 21, 2025.
Project Documents
and Information
Meetings:
City Council A-Session Meeting
- Thursday, August 21, 2025