Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 46

The Brazos River in Richmond is currently at Gage Elevation 27.89. The WGRFC forecast shows that the Brazos River in Richmond peaked around Gage Elevation 27.97 early this morning and should start to fall. Based on the 7-day extended forecast, no flooding along the Brazos River through Fort Bend County is anticipated.

This Week

The region has some minimal rain chances today with partly cloudy to mostly sunny skies through Wednesday. High temperatures for the majority of the week should be in the upper 70s to low 80s with our low temperatures in the mid-50s to upper 60s. The extended forecast does show an increased chance for rain starting on Thursday and possibly running into early next week. Based on the NWS WPC 7-Day QPF, the upper portions of the Brazos River Watershed, from Lake Whitney (Upstream of Waco) to Hempstead could see approximately 2 to 2.5 inches. The current forecast shows these rainfall amounts decreasing downstream with Fort Bend County potentially receiving 1.5 to 1.75 inches over the next 7 days. The majority of this rainfall could occur Friday to Sunday. The confidence in the extended forecast remains low. It is too early to know the accuracy of these rainfall amounts and its potential impacts on the Brazos River, but based on the current forecast, no flooding along the Brazos River through Fort Bend County is anticipated over the next 7 to 10 days. We will continue to monitor the forecasts for any changes that occur as we approach the middle to end of the week.

Early April Outlook

The NWS Weather Prediction Center has issued/updated their Outlook to start the month of April. Based on the forecast, we have a higher probability of seeing below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation to start the month of April. From NWS Houston/Galveston Office: “The early April weather pattern is forecast to be more cloudy & wet. More frequent western weather disturbance passages will thicken up clouds, produce more precipitation. This will create a “cooling” effect & may provide some relief to our recent drought conditions.”

Reservoir Status

Dear MUD 46 Residents:

The Board of Directors has taken measures to simplify the taxpaying process and to save MUD residents taxes. The Board of Directors voted to use the Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector to collect MUD taxes, saving MUD residents money and consolidating your tax bill.

Effective April 1, 2020, Fort Bend County will assume delinquent tax collections for the District, and your MUD 46 taxes will be included on your tax bill from Fort Bend County for 2021.

You will not receive a separate bill from MUD 46. To obtain a copy of your bill, please contact the Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector at 281-342-3411.

The Brazos River in Richmond is currently at Gage Elevation 15.71 and rising based on the weekend rainfall and upstream reservoir releases. The WGRFC anticipates the Brazos River reaching Action Stage on Tuesday morning and peaking around Gage Elevation 31.1 feet on Friday morning. Based on the 7-day extended forecast, no flooding along the Brazos River through Fort Bend County is anticipated.

This Week

After several days of wet weather, the Region along with much of the State of Texas will see warmer, sunnier weather. Highs for the week should be in the mid to upper 80s with lows in the upper 60s to low 70s before our next cold front potentially arrives on Sunday. Rain chances remain low over the next several days with our highest chance for rain occurring tomorrow. The NWS forecast is showing the majority of the Brazos River Watershed including Fort Bend County seeing less than ¼ inch of rainfall over the next 5 to 7 days.

Reservoir Status

The Brazos River in Richmond is currently at Gage Elevation 14.61 and slightly continuing to rise based on upstream rainfall and reservoir releases. Based on the 7-day extended forecast, no flooding along the Brazos River through Fort Bend County is anticipated.

This Week

Another week of cloudy to partly cloudy skies with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s and lows in the mid to upper 60s. Our rain chances remain relatively low throughout the week; however, a shallow cold front should works its way through the region this weekend. This front could increase our rain changes Friday to Sunday. Based on the extended forecasts, the upper portions of the Brazos River Watershed (Waco to Bryan/College Station) could see between 2 to 3 inches over the next 7 days. The lower portions of the Brazos River watershed, including Fort Bend County, could see between 0.5 to 1.5 inches over the next 7 days. The majority of these rainfall totals are toward the middle to end of the week and are subject to change.

Reservoir Status

The Brazos River in Richmond is currently at Gage Elevation 15.76 and slightly continuing to rise based on upstream rainfall and reservoir releases. Based on the 7-day extended forecast, no flooding along the Brazos River through Fort Bend County is anticipated.

This Week

We can expect a relatively warm week. High temperatures will range in the upper 70s to low 80s with lows in the mid-60s. The NWS forecast is showing a 10 to 25% chance of rain throughout the week with a 30%+ chance into the weekend ahead of our next cold front. North and central Texas could see another 1 to 2+ inches of rainfall over the next 7 days. These rain amounts should stay mostly outside of the Brazos River watershed with a chance for some of this increased rainfall to land upstream of Waco in the upper portions of the watershed. The lower portions of the Brazos River watershed, including Fort Bend County, should see less than ½ inch over the next 7 days.

Reservoir Status

Fort Bend County has experienced destructive high water events in the recent years. We must be prepared not only during Hurricane Season but all year round.

With this in mind, Fort Bend County Commissioner Ken R. DeMerchant would like to share some important Emergency Preparedness tips with our residents.