From 2021 to 2022, the Texas A&M Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas conducted a year-long, multidisciplinary study to investigate potential causes of increased flooding along the Navasota River south of Lake Limestone. Guided by the interests of local stakeholders, researchers analyzed the potential impacts of the Sterling C. Robertson dam on Lake Limestone on downstream flooding. The study identified multiple drivers of flooding acting at a watershed scale.

The results of the analysis revealed that the Lake Limestone dam is not causing increased flooding downstream. Instead, the primary driver of flooding is rainfall, particularly high intensity rainfall events, compounded by increased development, debris blockages, and straightening of the river over time. Nevertheless, the experiences of the landowners who provided input for this study underscore realities of flood impacts that merit additional attention. More data collection, analyses, and localized investigations should continue to be pursued by local and regional jurisdictions and planning groups.

The area for this study is the Navasota River watershed, as seen in Figure 1, focused on the area south of Lake Limestone to the city of Navasota at the confluence of the Navasota River and the Brazos River.