Comal County to seek state help covering $12.7M dam repairs to meet TCEQ standards

County staff told the Comal County Commissioners Court on July 10 that an engineering assessment found the Soil Conservation Service site 4 dam (referred to in the record as "Agua Blank") cannot safely contain a 100‑year flood without overflowing its auxiliary spillway and does not meet the probable maximum precipitation standard required by regulators.

"The cost to do that is $12,700,000 and a big chunk of that is gonna be covered by NRCS," a county staff member said, adding that NRCS would fund about 65% of the work while the county is responsible for a roughly 35% local match. Staff said the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board has set aside $25,000,000 for similar projects over the next two years and can, if funding is available, cover the county's local match.

Staff described proposed engineering work to add and reinforce an auxiliary spillway — including reinforced concrete and expanded side spillways — so the dam can safely pass extreme events. The presentation noted the probable maximum precipitation in that area is about 44 inches in 24 hours and that the county's dams reduce the hundred‑year flow substantially during high‑water events.

Commissioners discussed budgeting concerns, and staff said the county would not be contractually on the hook if a state match were unavailable: projects would be re‑entered into the funding hopper and reconsidered later. The court authorized the county judge to submit the application and approved the request by voice vote.

Next steps include submission of the application to the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and, if the state funds are not available, budgeting for the local match in the county's 2026 budget cycle. The county expects construction could begin in late 2026 if funding and schedules align.