Experts warn proposed Rio Grande wall and buoy system could raise flood risks; council expands riverfront advisory scope

Martin Castro, watershed science director at the Rio Grande International Study Center, told the Laredo City Council on April 7 that an independent engineering analysis finds the proposed federal bollard wall and buoy infrastructure would materially change how the Rio Grande carries floodwaters and debris. "This proposal would be constructed along one of the most dynamic river systems in the entire United States," Castro said, urging council members to scrutinize the engineering and flood modeling now being used.

Why it matters: Council members and residents said the question crosses public-safety, infrastructure and fiscal lines — bridges, water-treatment plants and low-lying neighborhoods could face higher flood forces if a continuous wall or long buoy array traps debris and redirects river energy. The council voted to expand the Riverfront Coordination Advisory Ad Hoc Committee to include the river bend and buoy infrastructure so the technical committee can gather and evaluate federal plans and mitigation measures.