Frequently Asked Questions

CRS is the abbreviation for Community Rating System. The National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community actions meeting the three goals of the CRS:

• Reduce flood losses
• Facilitate accurate insurance rating
• Promote the awareness of flood insurance.

• Drainage facility ownership has changed and responsibilities need to be confirmed.
• New development and completed drainage projects will need to be incorporated.
• Improved detention pond maintenance policies are necessary to ensure detention ponds are properly designed, constructed, and maintained.

At this time, there is no immediate concern with the Brazos River. However, the amount and rate of erosion will vary any given year as it depends on several factors. A few of these include:

• frequency of rain events
• magnitude and duration of future flooding events
• location of the erosion problem

Lack of planning and action could result in the potential of seeing property values impacted, increases in flood insurance rates, and the inclusion of some areas in the floodplain zone. One of the goals of the study is to develop plans to address the issue and reduce future risk to nearby areas.

Areas protected from the Brazos River by levees are not classified as being in the floodplain. As long as the river level is below the top of the levee or the levee is not breached, these areas would not experience flooding from the Brazos River. The ongoing erosion problem could change this.

The amount and rate of erosion will vary any given year as it depends on several factors. A few of these include:

• frequency of rain events
• magnitude and duration of future flooding events
• location of the erosion problem

Lack of planning and action could result in damage to the levee or a negative impact on the level of protection the levees provide. If this happens, there is the potential of seeing property values impacted, increases in flood insurance rates, and the inclusion of some areas in the floodplain zone. One of the goals of the study is to develop plans to address the issue and reduce future risk to nearby areas.

The City is using a the Observation Method for Meandering Prediction (OMM) developed by Dr. Jean-Louis Briaud at Texas A&M University. The methodology includes the following:

• observation of historical movement of the meanders of the river
  Historical maps and aerial photographs are used to determine the river movement (migration) with time. The bank migration is measured using the available aerial photos to perform a historical observation of the river bank movement.
• analysis of representative samples of the soil bank
  Soil samples are obtained at different depths along the critical bank locations to perform soil classification and laboratory testing with the objective of determining the erodibility of the soil at each location. Soils would be classified from very erodible category to non-erodible.
• quantification of the erodibility of the soils (EFA tests),
  A soil sample is collected in a thin-walled tubes (Shelby Tubes).  The soil is put through an Erosion Function Apparatus (EFA) apparatus, to determine their erodibility at different velocity. As a controlled flow of water is push thought he apparatus, the soil is extruded from the Shelby tube and the rate of erosion is determined. The Erosion Function Apparatus (EFA) test uses site-specific soil samples acquired via thin-walled tubes (Shelby Tubes) to generate the erosion rate and shear stress which is plotted to create an erosion plot. The information produced by the test can help an engineer accurately determine the depth of scour or level of bank erosion as a function of time.
• determination of the velocity hydrograph for the period of analysis,
  The river’s flow rate is plotted for different time intervals and different storm events. At each study location, and based on the river’s cross section, the corresponding average velocity for each flow is calculated for each time intervals analyzed. A hydrograph (plot showing the rate of flow versus time past a specific point in a river) is prepared showing the velocity versus time at each study location.
• calibration of the observed migration with predicted migration using the TAMU-OMS software
  This mathematical model based software, was developed by TAMU specifically for determination of erosion rate and river bank migration. It predicts the future migration of a river bank in a period of time based on the actual migration for an earlier time period.
• prediction of average future migration using the fitted soil erosion model
  The velocity data and soil type at each location are used as input for the MEANDER software to predict the average future migration for a time frame.
• performing probabilistic prediction to obtain probability of river meander to a certain location.
  A risk analysis is done using the 100 year and 500-year storm frequency hydrograph as the input values at different locations. The MEANDER software determined the probability of the river to reach a certain point in a giving period of time.
  
  

The stakeholders of the study are:

• Fort Bend County
• TxDOT
• Levee Improvement Districts (LIDs)
• Brazos River Authority

The city is partnering with:

• Greg Wine, PE
  Huitt-Zollars, Inc.
• Dr. Jean-Louis Briaud, PhD, PE, DGE
  University Distinguished Professor and Buchanan Chair Holder
  Zachry Dept. of Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University
  
  
  

The National Weather Service has completed a historical rainfall study, called Atlas 14. This study incorporated approximately 100 years of rainfall data in Texas, which shows that Fort Bend County and the City of Sugar Land are likely to experience an increase in the frequency of intense rainfall events.

The existing rainfall frequency values were developed in the 1960s and 1970s. Atlas 14 incorporated an additional 4 decades of rainfall data collected by the increased number of rain gages in Texas. In addition, Atlas 14 used improved statistical methods to conduct rainfall frequency analysis. These rainfall frequency values are used for infrastructure design and planning activities under federal, state and local regulations. The values are also used to evaluate flood risks, manage development in floodplains, and delineate floodplain boundaries for FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program.

Areas of new development and re-development located next to Oyster Creek in the floodplain area could see an increment in the minimum required finish floor elevations. Redevelopment of properties located in levee-protected areas may need to build at a higher elevation if the original finish floor elevation did not comply with the minimum elevation requirements of the Levee District engineer.

As per the Fort Bend Drainage Criteria Manual (7.3.1.1 –Design Criteria Assuming Coincidental Events), the maximum ponding level within the leveed area should not exceed the maximum water surface elevation associated with the 100-yr coincidental flood event computed in designing the internal drainage system of the levee area, including the required minimum freeboard of one foot and the pumping and storage capacity of the leveed system.

The coincidental ponding is determined from the coincidental probability of interior and exterior flooding and the capacity of pumps, drainage channels, and detention using the precipitation requirements of Atlas 14.

No. The Development Code and the city's design standards require that any new or existing construction collects the stormwater on the property properly and delivers it to the proper city collection point, (i.e. stormwater inlet, stormwater channel or detention pond) without affecting any neighboring properties. This is clearly specified in the flood prevention ordinances adopted by City Council.

We are proposing to change the city code. Currently, many of our floodplain regulations are based on the 100-year flood. We are proposing an interim Atlas 14 100-year floodplain regulations until floodplain maps can be redrawn by FEMA in a few years. This interim floodplain is based on the current 500-year floodplain. This change means that property owners and businesses in the interim Atlas 14 100-year floodplain would have new restrictions if they want to develop, expand, remodel or improve their properties.

Sugar Land areas that will be affected by Atlas 14 implementation can be reviewed using the following maps:

• Online Interactive Map

The majority of the city will not be impacted by higher insurance rates, however, homeowners that are not in the current 100-year flood zone may be remapped to the flood hazard zone when FEMA updates floodplain maps in a few years. If remapped, affected homeowners might be required to purchase flood insurance.

Atlas 14 shows that the frequency of major storms that can take place in our city is expected to increase. This could mean more street ponding in our area. We do not anticipate homes flooding in our area as a result of Atlas 14 estimates, however, it is recommended that all homeowners and residents purchase flood insurance.

The city’s design standards set requirements for bike lanes built within the city’s right of way. These standards meet those set by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

TxDOT’s standards are based on the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Roadway Design Manual and guidelines. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is a standards setting body which publishes specifications, test protocols and guidelines which are used in highway design and construction throughout the United States.

The city’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan contains recommended minimum requirements for pedestrian and bicycle facilities (bike lanes, sidewalks, and crosswalks, etc…). Recommendations as outlined on the master plan adhere to applicable TMUTCD, ADA and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards.

Below is a table comparing Sugar Land to TxDOT's bicycle facilities standards.

Pre-Qualification Presentations are offered bi-monthly.

Each presentation is allocated 45 minutes. Thirty minutes for the presentation and 15 minutes for questions and answers (Q/A).

Presentations should provide an overview of all disciplines (ie: water, wastewater, traffic, roads, drainage, etc.) the company offers or can focus on one specific area of expertise the company wants to make the city aware of.

The “Pre-Qualifications Presentation” schedule link is on the City of Sugar Land website with detailed instructions on the process.

No, Pre-Qualification Presentations are not required to do business with the City of Sugar Land. However, they are highly recommended because the process allows staff to become familiar with new companies, relevant changes within an existing company structure as well as new disciplines companies have to offer. Providing a presentation also allows the companies Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) to go into the City’s 3 year library for selection process for projects under $250,000 budget.

Each Request for Qualifications (RFQ)  is based on particular projects (drainage, streets, traffic, etc.) With the SOQ (for pre-qualification submittals only) use the following criteria:

1. If a company wants to provide an overview of all the disciplines they have, they can just submit a general package they would normally submit for an RFQ.
2. If a company wants to provide an overview of discipline-specific areas, they can focus the submittal package on that, however, the presentation can go into all the disciplines they have experience in. We recommend not to focus too much on a specific discipline unless that is the only one the company is looking to be selected for. 

Please submit SOQs in PDF format with a maximum of 15 pages, 100 MB or less, including: introduction letter, structure of organization, disciplines of expertise and examples of projects. The page limit doesn't count the covers or section dividers. *Please note the City cannot accept SOQs on flash drives due to our IT security policy.  

SOQs stay active in the City’s Engineering library for 3 years.

If the company desires to keep their SOQ in the library an additional 3 years, they can submit an updated SOQ to prequalifications@sugarlandtx.gov. No additional presentation is necessary unless the following takes place: 1). The company has restructured the organization, 2) The company has added additional services they want to introduce to the City.

The company representative should contact the Engineering Department Administrative Coordinator at prequalifications@sugarlandtx.gov for further information or instructions.

Staff members from all divisions of city staff are invited to the meetings (Airport, Public Works, Parks, Engineering, Planning, etc.).

Presentations will now be conducted through an online virtual meeting process.  The platform will be Zoom.  Additional information is provided through the scheduling process on the City’s website, prequalification’s link.