local
McLennan County works to improve drainage systems after last month's flooding caused damage
By Dominique Leh at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 14, 2026
· 3 min read
McLennan County is working to improve drainage systems along several creek corridors after last month's heavy rains caused damage to culverts and channel ways across the area.The City of Waco has monitored Waco Creek, Cottonwood Creek, Barrons Branch, and Flat Creek for years. Ryan Dirker with Ci...
Key takeaway It's been flooding here since Waco was first founded all the way back in the early 1800s," Dirker said.
Why this matters in The Waco
The effort to improve drainage systems in McLennan County comes at a critical time, as the area's history of flooding is well-documented. Residents living near Waco Creek, Cottonwood Creek, Barrons Branch, and Flat Creek are particularly vulnerable to flooding, and the recent damage to culverts and channel ways has highlighted the need for proactive measures. The proposed 20-cent increase to the drainage fee could provide much-needed funding to maintain current infrastructure and support redesign efforts. As the city reassesses its approach to drainage repairs, it will be important to consider the impact of new development on the drainage system's performance. The fact that unexpected flooding occurred on I-35 due to the rise on Flat Creek underscores the complexity of the issue and the need for continued monitoring and planning. The county's new hazard mitigation plan and frequent weather checks are steps in the right direction, but ongoing investment and attention will be necessary to protect residents and infrastructure from future flooding events.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? McLennan County is working to improve drainage systems along several creek corridors after last month's heavy rains caused damage to culverts and channel ways across the area.The City of Waco has monitored Waco Creek, Cottonwood Creek, Barrons Branch, and Flat Creek for years. Ryan Dirker with Ci...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dominique Leh at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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