The Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), located along the southeastern most portion of US-Mexico border, is one of the fastest growing regions in the United States, with primary economic sectors including agriculture, retail service, manufacturing industries, tourism, and commercial fishing – all of which depend on reliable, and good quality water supplies. The LRGV Watershed Assessment study area consists of four counties with diverse socio-economic structures:  three coastal counties—Cameron, Willacy, and Kenedy—and a fourth interior county, Hidalgo. This area of complex hydrology experiences many extremes from extended droughts to flooding resulting not only from tropical storms and hurricanes, but also heavy rainfall events. Persistent flooding problems exist due to low-lying lands, proximity to the Gulf of America, rapid urbanization, and a lack of drainage infrastructure are affecting many at risk communities. 

A Watershed Assessment is a comprehensive and strategic evaluation of water resources needs at a watershed level. Possible areas of investigation include flood risk management, water supply, watershed protection, aquatic ecosystem restoration, and drought preparedness. The result of  the assessment is a Watershed Plan that identifies a range of recommended actions that could be undertaken by various partners, stakeholders or USACE to meet water resource needs identified during the study. It will provide a strategic roadmap to inform future investment decisions by multiple agencies. Stakeholder input is considered throughout the process to better understand community concerns and water resource challenges. The final report seeks to present a broad set of solutions for multiple stakeholders.

Latest Update (April 2025):  USACE is engaged with partners and stakeholders through the Strategic Working Group and smaller topic-centered working groups:  Flooding, Ecosystem Restoration, and Water Supply. Current work is focused on developing draft recommendations for the Watershed Plan.