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Section 2: Drainage Complaint Guidelines and Procedure

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Complaints

The Bridge Division processes drainage complaints received by TxDOT. Usually the Bridge Division asks the District for an investigation and report.

TxDOT deals with drainage complaints promptly and in an unbiased manner. When the District is asked to investigate a complaint, it should determine the facts, analyze the facts, and make conclusions and recommendations, as follows:

  1. Show on a map the location of the problem on which the complaint is based. Clearly determine the basis for the complaint, including extent of flooding, complainer’s opinion of what caused the flooding, description of alleged damages, and dates and times, and duration of flooding. Relate history of other grievances. Briefly relate history of any other grievances expressed prior to the claim presently under investigation. Obtain pertinent dates. Identify approximate dates when those claiming damages acquired the damaged property or improvements. Collect the specific flood event facts involved. Document the facts regarding highway crossing involved. Consider possible effects by others, including the utilities such as pipelines, other highways or streets, railroads, dams, and any significant man-made changes to the stream or watershed that might affect the flooding.
  2. Analyze the facts and decide what action to take to relieve the problem, regardless of who has responsibility for the remedy.
  3. Make conclusions and recommendations. Describe the contributing factors leading to the alleged flood damage and specify feasible remedies.
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Specific Flood Event Facts

When collecting specific flood event facts, include the following:

  • Rainfall data, such as dates, amounts, time periods, and locations of gages.
  • Observed high-water information at or in the vicinity of the claim. Locate high-water marks on a map and specify datum. Always try to obtain high-water marks both upstream and downstream of the highway and the time the elevations occurred.
  • Duration of flooding at site of alleged damage.
  • Direction of flood flow at damage site.
  • Description of the stream condition before, after, and during flood(s), including density of vegetation, presence of debris and drift jams, flow conditions, and extent of erosion.
  • The flood history at the site.
  • The depth and velocity of flow over the road, if any.
  • Narratives of any eyewitnesses to the flooding.
  • Facts about the flood(s) from sources outside TxDOT, such as newspaper accounts, witnesses, measurements by other agencies (e.g., USGS, Corp of Engineers, NRCS) and individuals, maps, and Weather Bureau rainfall records.
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Facts Regarding Highway Crossing Involved

When collecting facts about the highway crossing involved, include the following:

  • Profile of highway across stream valley.
  • Date of original highway construction.
  • Dates of all subsequent alterations to the highway.
  • Descript