SJRA Update on Status of Four Flood-Mitigation Projects

1/11/2026 – At the end of 2025, the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) issued an update on the status of four flood-mitigation projects. During Hurricane Harvey and again in May 2024, SJRA came under withering criticism for releases from Lake Conroe exceeding 70,000 cubic feet per second that flooded downstream residents.

The four projects represent different ways to offset similar releases in the future and their adverse effects. They include:

• Lake Conroe-Lake Houston Joint Reservoir Operations Study
• Spring Creek Flood Control Dams Feasibility Study
• Upper San Jacinto River Basin Regional Sedimentation Study
• Sand Trap Project

Joint-Reservoir-Operations Study

The City of Houston is currently performing a project to add new spillway gates to increase the controlled release capacity of the Lake Houston dam. The goal of this Joint Reservoir Operations Study is to determine the most efficient and safe operation of Lake Conroe in series with Lake Houston once the new gates are installed.

The study will evaluate the feasibility of prereleases including impacts on water supply. The study will also develop a forecasting tool for Lake Houston and support development of the gate operations policy for the proposed Lake Houston dam gates.

Black & Veatch is handling the million-dollar study for SJRA, City of Houston, City of Humble and the Texas Water Development Board. The engineering company received a notice to proceed in August 2025 and expects to complete the project by December 2027.

Black & Veatch is also handling the engineering for the City of Houston on the project to add more flood gates to the Lake Houston Dam. The company has completed preliminary engineering. Mayor Whitmire expects them to finish detailed engineering by the end of this year.

For more on the Joint Reservoir Operations Study, see:

Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) Abridged Application
FIF Final Application
Joint Ops Project Benefit Area Map

Spring Creek Flood Control Dams Feasibility Study

This project explored multiple alternative sites for dams along Spring Creek with the potential to reduce flooding. The two most cost effective alternatives were on Birch and Walnut Creeks. SJRA released its draft report to the Texas Water Development Board in June 2025. Its final report is due next month.

For more on the Spring Creek Dams Site Study, see:

FIF Abridged Application
FIF Final Application
Spring Creek Project Benefit Area Map
www.SpringCreekStudy.com

Upper San Jacinto River Basin Regional Sedimentation Study

According to the Army Corps, conveyance of the San Jacinto West Fork between Humble and Kingwood was reduced 90% due to sedimentation. That exacerbated flooding. Since then, SJRA has evaluated sedimentation throughout the river basin to learn:

• Where the most sediment comes from
• How to prioritize watersheds for improvements
• Conceptual solutions

The goal: reduce loss of floodway conveyance in the basin.

SJRA started the project in May 2022. It hopes to deliver a draft report to the TWDB by October 2026 and the final report by June 2027.

For more information, see:

sanjacintosedimentationstudy.com
FIF Abridged Application
FIF Final Application
Sedimentation Study Project Benefit Area Map

Sand-Trap Project

The sand trap project is one potential way to remove material from the river in order to improve conveyance and reduce the risk of flooding.

SJRA is working with HCFCD and City of Houston to plan, design, and construct one or more “sand traps” along the West Fork.

 A major component of the project is coordinating with Aggregate Production Operations (APOs) along the river. A public/private partnership would provide for operation and maintenance of the proposed sand trap(s). A conceptual design effort to select the most feasible site(s) for installation of sand trap(s) has been completed, and preliminary design is scheduled for completion in early 2026.

For more information, see:

Sand Trap Conceptual Design Report Comments Received
Sand Trap Summary Document for Stakeholders (11-08-22)
SJR and Tributaries Sediment Removal and Sand Trap Development Conceptual Design Report
Sediment Trap Pilot Project Preliminary Design Scope

The Studies are Only Step One

It’s important to recognize that more than eight years after Harvey, not one of these studies is complete yet. And the studies are just the first step in a multi-step process that includes final engineering, funding, land acquisition, and construction for most of these.

At this rate, it could take decades before we see actual flood-mitigation benefits. We really need to find ways to speed up this process.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/11/26

3057 Days since Hurricane Harvey