About the District

General The District is a political subdivision of the State of Texas, created by order of the Fort Bend County Commissioners’ Court, adopted on July 9, 2002, and operates pursuant to Chapter 49 and 57 of the Texas Water Code.

The District is a conservation and reclamation district created pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 57, Texas Water Code and Article XVI, Section 59 of the Texas Constitution. The principal functions of the District include constructing and maintaining levees and other improvements on, along and contiguous to rivers, creeks and streams within and adjacent to the District; reclamation of lands within the District from overflow from these streams; the control and distribution of the waters of rivers and streams within and adjacent to the District by straightening and otherwise improving them; the provision of proper drainage and other improvements of the reclaimed land within the District and developing and maintaining recreational facilities.

The District contains approximately 2,331 acres of land and is located approximately 22 miles southwest of the central downtown business district of the City of Houston and lies wholly within the boundaries of the City of Sugar Land. The District also lies within the boundaries of the Fort Bend Independent School District. Access to the District is provided by U.S. Highway 59 (Interstate 69) to University Boulevard

Brazos River Forecast Update – 1/7/2019 @ 9AM

The National Weather Service has issued a forecast showing the Brazos River cresting on Wednesday at a gage elevation of 45.0. This will result in very minor flooding around Fort Bend County. One local issue is that the U-Turn at I69/US59 has been closed by the City of Sugar Land due to the rising water. No other impacts are expected within the District.

The LID 17 team will continue to monitor the river and weather forecasts to maintain preparedness for situations that may arise and potentially impact our community.

Brazos River Information

The Brazos River rises and falls due to the amount of rainfall upstream of the District within the Brazos River watershed.  When significant rainfall occurs upstream, the National Weather Service will issue forecasts for the Brazos River to alert residents of anticipated conditions so that informed decisions can be made related to potential impacts from rising water. The nearest river gauge and forecast site is the Brazos River at Richmond, at the US 90A bridge, approximately 8.8 miles upriver from the I-69/US 59 crossing. The forecast estimates the level of the river at the gauge, the level provided is in gauge feet (not feet above sea level).  To convert gauge feet to sea level add 27.02’.  Because LID 17 is downstream from the gauge, the water level in the Brazos River will be lower than at the gauge, generally about 6-7’.  The Districts’ consultants monitor the river levels and forecasts.  When necessary, the District responds, per the Emergency Action Plan, with required activities to protect the District and properties therein from potential harm.  For reference;

  • A gauge elevation at the Richmond gauge of 37 would correlate to gravity outfall being restricted at Pump Station 2 (south of UH) such that pumping operations might be required if there is rainfall within the District.
  • A gauge elevation at the Richmond gauge of 43 would correlate to gravity outfall being restricted at Pump Station 1 (north of I-69/US59) and pumping operations might be required if there is rainfall within the District.
  • On September 1, 2017, following Hurricane Harvey the Brazos River crested at a high of 55.19’

For additional information regarding current Brazos River levels, you may visit the following websites;

Tax Notice

The District has levied its 2018 property taxes. The Board is pleased to announce it was able to keep the rate constant at $0.57 per $100 of assessed valuation. We are delighted to not have increased the tax rate this tax year.