SJRA Reviews 10-Year Strategic Plans
SJRA's 10-year plan (2024-2033) targets water security & flood resiliency for Montgomery County.
CONROE — The San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) has officially charted its course for the next decade, unveiling a comprehensive 10-year strategic plan during its September 28 board meeting. The blueprint, which covers operations and capital projects through 2033, serves as a state-mandated roadmap designed to ensure long-term water security, flood resiliency, and infrastructure stability for Montgomery County and the surrounding region.
As the region faces rapid population growth and shifting environmental regulations, the SJRA’s strategic framework outlines how it will balance the competing demands of raw water delivery, groundwater conservation, and flood mitigation.
Groundwater Reduction and Surface Water Expansion
The most immediate pressure facing the authority is the Groundwater Reduction Plan (GRP) Division’s race to meet impending regulatory milestones. To combat land subsidence—the sinking of the earth caused by excessive groundwater pumping—the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District (LSGCD) has mandated a tiered reduction in groundwater usage for local entities.
Following a 30% reduction mandate in 2016, the SJRA is now focused on the 2025 milestone, which requires a 60% reduction in groundwater reliance. To meet this, the SJRA is in the final stages of expanding its surface water treatment plant near Conroe. The project involves a massive build-out of transmission pipelines and pump stations to deliver Lake Conroe water to homes and businesses across the county.
With the 2025 deadline looming, the SJRA confirmed that the expansion remains on schedule to be fully operational. Looking further ahead, planning for the 80% reduction mandate—set for 2035—is already underway, representing one of the authority's most significant long-term capital investments.
Managing the Reservoir: Raw Water and Flood Control
The SJRA’s Raw Water Division remains the backbone of the region’s supply, providing untreated water to major stakeholders, including the City of Houston, the City of Conroe, and The Woodlands. Beyond routine maintenance of the Lake Conroe Dam, the 10-year plan highlights the potential development of a new water treatment plant to service the growing Conroe and Montgomery areas, ensuring that the basin’s supply keeps pace with industrial and residential demand.
Simultaneously, the Flood Management Division is pivoting toward high-tech data collection. Following the catastrophic flooding events of the past decade, the division is prioritizing the installation of new, advanced sensors and stream gages. These tools are designed to provide more granular, real-time data to assist in coordinating water releases with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The division also continues to partner with the City of Houston and Montgomery County on regional flood-mitigation initiatives aimed at reducing the risk to communities living along the main stem of the West Fork of the San Jacinto River.
Parks and Recreation Improvements
While water management is the primary mandate, the SJRA’s Parks and Recreation Division oversees significant public assets, including the Scott’s Ridge and Cagle Recreation Areas. The 10-year plan prioritizes public access and environmental stewardship, with budgeted projects for restroom upgrades, playground modernization, and trail maintenance.
A critical component of this division’s work involves the ecological health of Lake Conroe. The plan includes sustained efforts to manage aquatic vegetation, which can obstruct navigation and degrade water quality, alongside ongoing shoreline erosion control measures to protect public boat ramps and infrastructure.
Looking Ahead
The strategic plan acts as a living document, subject to the evolving needs of the San Jacinto River basin. For residents interested in tracking the progress of these initiatives, the SJRA provides regular updates on its official website at www.sjra.net. The authority’s board of directors typically meets on the fourth Thursday of each month, with agendas and meeting minutes available for public review through the agency’s online portal.
As Montgomery County continues to be one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States, the SJRA’s mandate to manage water resources for 2024 through 2033 remains a cornerstone of the area’s economic and environmental future.