Flooding is Predictable, Flood Disasters are Optional
10/4/26 – Floods have happened throughout history and will continue to happen. We cannot control the weather. We can, however, control whether we put people in harm’s way. Flood disasters are optional.
The 5300-acre Scarborough property at the confluence of the San Jacinto West Fork, Spring Creek, and Cypress Creek is one of the most flood-prone properties in the Houston region. The developer hopes to build up to 7,000 homes there.
Only tiny portions of the Scarborough property lie above floodplains and floodways. And the lowest portions go under 25-30 feet of water during large floods.
Scarborough Property Makes Excellent Candidate for Conservation
That’s why this property, makes a perfect candidate for conservation, much like Lake Houston Park did iin the East Fork Watershed during the early 1980s.
In its September 2026 meeting, the San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group (SJRFPG) identified gaps in current regulations and legislation. It also laid out proposals to plug those gaps. In my previous post, I used the Scarborough property to dramatize the importance of three of those recommendations. They concerned building codes, elevations, and overlapping jurisdictions.
This post will discuss how three more of the SJRFPG recommendations apply to the Scarborough property. They concern:
- Legislative incentives for conservation easements, land conservation, restoration, riparian protection, wetland protection, and landowner stewardship practices in flood-prone areas
- Regulatory changes that promote nature-based solutions, green infrastructure, floodplain preservation, conservation, and hybrid gray/green approaches
- Promoting public education and outreach regarding flood awareness, preparedness, flood-prone areas, and the importance of protecting floodplains.
State Park Needed
A Scarborough subsidiary called the San Jacinto Preserve actually owns the land, which Scarborough bought from Ryko in 2025. It is a haven for wildlife, including bald eagles. Currently, the Bayou Land Conservancy manages a small conservation easement on several sensitive areas within the property.
In my opinion, Texas Parks and Wildlife needs to step up and turn the land into another state park. That would prevent homes from being built on the property and flooding. It would also prevent an increase in flood risk to homes downstream. One of the region’s leading hydrologists has said that if this property gets developed, it would be like aiming a fire hose at the Kingwood/Humble area.
Floodplain encroachment increases the chances of future man-made disasters. And mitigating those disasters typically costs far fewer tax dollars than simply conserving flood-prone property in the first place. Plus, dozens of studies have shown that proximity to parks increases surrounding home values as much as 20% and provides healthy, recreational opportunities for everyone.
The Houston City Council, Harris County Commissioners Court, the Harris County Community Resilience Flood Task Force, Bayou Land Conservancy and nearly 10,000 surrounding residents have all protested the development of this land.
If you haven’t yet signed the petition against the Scarborough Development, please sign it today.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/4/2026
3323 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
