VICTORIA COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICT #3

Victoria County Drainage District #3 was founded in 1915, by a vote of the residents of Victoria County as well as by provisions provided by the State of Texas Water Code. The district is governed by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and TCEQ, and is the only statutory authority to be able to go on private property to maintain drainage. The district maintains over 120 miles of creeks and drainage ditches that includes 2,560 acres of maintenance right of way. Placedo Creek, Casa Blanca Creek, and Mercado Creek are the major drainage right of ways that terminate all the way at Lavaca Bay.

The sole purpose of the drainage district is to ensure that the drainage right of ways from the City of Victoria and Victoria County Drainage District #3 rural areas, are maintained for the most efficient water removal possible during severe weather and flash flood events. It takes the drainage district eight to ten years to make a full pass through the drainage right of ways and start over again. This work includes removing brush and restrictions from the creeks, repairing erosion issues, and replacing pipe drop structures, low water crossings, and culverts as they reach end of life. All the ditches that feed into the major creeks are shredded one to two times per year to keep vegetative growth in control, while some hard to access areas require spraying to maintain control. Brush and rose hedge are the biggest issues that can impact water flow and require constant control. Grass is necessary to control erosion, and has very little impact on water flow.

The drainage district strives to maintain great working relationships with the land owners within the district. The drainage district also works very closely with all precincts of Victoria County and the City of Victoria.

For any drainage ditches along roads, the City of Victoria, Victoria County, or the State of Texas will be responsible for maintenance or issues. However, for any issues with drainage ditches through a property, contact the district to take a look at the issues and determine any potential remedies. If any land owners within the district have any questions or concerns, the directors may be contacted through the email address info@victoriacdd3.org. Also in case of an emergency or urgent need, call Robert Hagel at 361-649-5848.

Victoria County Drainage District #3 is a taxing entity that has 3 elected directors that serve a four-year term. The directors meet around the 5th and 20th of each month, or as needed, in a public meeting that is posted at the county courthouse. The current directors are:

Wayne Leita

Ryan Pletcher

Candy Markle-Beck