Long‑term recovery plan tallied at about $288 million; county launches river cleanup with volunteer dive teams

William Woodson, Kerr County’s long‑term recovery specialist, told the Commissioners Court on April 27 that the county is tracking “a little over 200 projects” tied to flood recovery and estimated the combined recovery needs at roughly $288,000,000, a figure he said includes grants and match commitments.

Woodson said the county has begun a pilot river‑debris removal program that targets high‑contact sites — swimming holes, kayak access points and popular public areas — and has engaged two volunteer dive teams under negotiated contracts. “We kicked off this effort with around $150,000 in donated support,” Woodson said, and the program will be run in coordination with city solid‑waste collection so removals can be measured and reported.

The pilot will use a standardized search pattern approved by an experienced lead diver and collect data on pounds of debris and hazard locations. Woodson said some dive work will happen mainly on weekends, with weekday dives as needed, and that the county will post maps and progress reports once the teams begin formal tracking.

Commissioners pressed staff on related questions, including whether gravel and fill behind local dams and at park structures have been mapped. Woodson said that mapping and potential remedies are on the county’s legislative initiative list and that discussions with state and federal agencies — including the Army Corps and emergency management partners — will be required for larger dredging or channel work.

Woodson also described the long‑term recovery plan’s other pillars — housing replacement, business assistance, emotional and spiritual care, and public infrastructure — and said working groups with local stakeholders are driving many projects forward. He noted the county is balancing recovery commemoration planning with sensitivity to the July 4 anniversary and that a public events calendar will be posted on the recovery website.

The court’s discussion confirmed the county is operating the river cleanup in parallel with search‑and‑rescue efforts coordinated by state emergency operations. Woodson and commissioners emphasized public‑safety screening of popular recreation sites and encouraged landowners and residents to contact Kerr Together for site checks and updates.

Next steps include continued contractor coordination, donor outreach to sustain the dive program, and establishing a regular public snapshot of projects and funding status. The court did not take formal action on funding at the meeting; Woodson sought to keep the commission informed as the program expands.