Developing Designs to Increase Resilience and Habitat in the Baffin Bay Watershed

The Baffin Bay watershed of South Texas is naturally prone to flooding from high intensity rain events, which are increasing in frequency. Stormwater runoff and flooding are significant carriers of nonpoint source pollution which threaten Baffin Bay’s ability to support healthy fish and bird populations. This project will conduct site assessment and preliminary designs for nature-based solutions (NBS) to mitigate flooding and erosion, create public greenspace and habitat for wildlife, and improve water quality in Kleberg County (TX), the City of Kingsville, and the downstream Baffin Bay ecosystem.

Key outcomes will be increased stormwater and flood mitigation that protects vital infrastructure
and housing, habitat creation for wildlife and greenspace for humans, and water quality improvements that improve ecosystem health. Designs and future implementation will serve as a template for broader adoption of NBS throughout the watershed and region.