1/14/2026 – After the holidays, Northpark contractors placed rebar in many gaps along Northpark where concrete had not yet been poured. And today the concrete trucks were out in force, filling those gaps.
Contractors were also hard at work on drainage connections under Loop 494. Once those connections are completed, the last remaining segments of concrete can be poured and 494 will be complete.
That will leave the bridge over 494 and the Union Pacific railroad tracks to build. But before that can happen, UPRR needs to move the signals to the new crossings. See more below.
Concrete Pours
I took all pictures below on 1/14/26 at around 11 AM. Most of the new concrete being poured this morning was between Sherwin Williams and Dairy Queen.
Looking west toward Loop 494 at a parade of concrete trucks lined up. By 11AM, several hundred feet had already been poured and leveled.Close up from previous shot. Workers tightly coordinate to get the concrete down, spread, leveled and smoothed before it starts to harden.Farther east, Phase I is virtually complete with the exception of several driveways and sidewalks on the north side (Left).Higher angle from closer to Russell-Palmer Road, still looking east toward east end of project.Reverse angle looking west shows where sidewalks currently end on north side of street (right).
Drainage Connections at Loop 494
At Loop 494, contractors were working on both the northwest and southeast corners to complete drainage and sanitary connections.
Looking E at 494 intersection. Note excavation work on the opposite corners.
The current construction schedule posted on the TIRZ website, shows that contractors will demolish the existing east bound lanes (center-right above) on Friday and Saturday nights, 1/23 and 1/24.
The junction box connecting the bore under the tracks still needs to be connected to drainage under Loop 494 coming from the entry ponds at US59.
Re-Alignment of Railroad Crossing Signals
Before contractors build new surface lanes across the tracks and build the bridge, UPRR must move and rewire its traffic signals which currently close across the old lanes (right above).
The signals and crossing gates must be set to guard the new crossings (bottom and top right) rather than the old lanes in the middle.
Ralph DeLeon, TIRZ project manager says that he hopes UPRR will be able to get to the cross-signal issue in early February.
Until the TIRZ resolves that issue and pushes the new surface lanes across the track, it cannot build the bridge. There would be no way for traffic to get across the tracks.
Remaining Gaps
In the meantime, Northpark contractors will have to focus on filling in the remaining gaps.
Looking W from over 59. Note fresh concrete in sidewalk on right. It must still be connected to sidewalks farther east.
Once the drainage on both sides of Loop 494 is connected, contractors must clean out the ditch that runs from Public Storage behind the businesses north of Northpark down to Bens Branch. Then the drainage will be fully operational from east to west.
But contractors must also to finish excavating the lakes on either side of the entry above.
Father west, between Whataburger and Loop 494 at top of frame, contractors must sink piers for bridge in center.
Note at the bottom of the picture above, the full 12 lanes that Northpark will become in this area compared to the current four.
Loop 494 can finally be completed once drainage under it is connected.Underlayment, rebar and concrete remain for the surface lanes on the north side of Northpark by Self U and Public Storage.The entrance to Kings Mill is currently scheduled for completion before the end of January.
For More Information
When complete, this will be the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood for 78,000 people.
For a history of the project to date, search on “Northpark” in the upper right corner of ReduceFlooding.com. Since 2018, I have posted more than 200 stories about this project.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/14/2026
3060 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/20260114-DJI_20260114105320_0892_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2026-01-14 15:52:152026-01-14 20:38:43Northpark Contractors Pouring Concrete Again
1/13/25 – The City of Houston is fining a property owner caught bringing massive amounts of fill into the floodway and floodplain of the San Jacinto West Fork. The fines will signal others that the City is serious about enforcing its floodplain regulations.
Raid in Response to Dumping Caught on Camera
On 12/11/25, Houston Public Works raided a property at 21915 Savell Road, Kingwood, Texas 77339. The main entrance to the property lies at the corner of Savelle and Sorters-McClellan Roads.
The owner of the largely vacant property was bringing in dozens of giant dump trucks filled with dirt. The trucks dumped the dirt in the floodplain and floodway of the San Jacinto West Fork.
City inspectors, District E City Councilman Fred Flickinger’s Chief of Staff Dustin Hodges and HPD caught a dump truck pulling away with its bed still up as they entered the site. The raid was caught on camera.
Photo captured minutes before raid.
City ordinances adopted after Harvey prohibit bringing fill into the floodways or 100-year floodplains. Property owners can move dirt within them. For instance, they can excavate detention basins and use the dirt to elevate homes elsewhere on the site above the floodplain. But they cannot add fill and constrict the conveyance of streams, rivers, or bayous. That pushes water onto adjoining property owners and increases their flood risk.
Multiple Violations Found
According to the City, inspectors found multiple egregious violations at the site. Despite that, the property owner appeared defiant rather than contrite in a followup meeting.
On December 19, the inspector met with the property owner. The meeting reportedly began innocently enough. The owner identified himself and the inspector confirmed his ownership of the property through Harris County Appraisal District records.
They then discussed multiple violations observed on the property within the Special Hazard Flood Area (SHFA) and the Floodway. The violations included:
CC460 – No Development Permit: Two un-permitted structures were observed within the SHFA.
BD44 – Performing Grading Without First Obtaining a Permit: Inspectors observed introduction of excessive fill material (dirt) within the SHFA and the Floodway without an approved permit.
BD55 – Failure to Employ Silt Fencing: They also found no erosion-control measures in place. Worse, they observed fill material runoff entering the West Fork of the San Jacinto River and a nearby tributary.
The inspector next explained the applicable Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)/Chapter 19 Floodplain Ordinance, including City of Houston amendments.
Then, he reportedly told the property owner that an “as-is topographic survey” would be required to proceed. The survey would need to include spot elevations of current site conditions, delineation of the SHFA and Floodway, and the legal property boundaries.
He said this information was necessary because a neighboring property is also believed to be in violation.
Owner Pushes Back
According to the inspector, the owner then asked who would be responsible for paying for the survey. The inspector advised him that the cost would be the responsibility of the property owner in violation.
The owner then responded that he was not in violation and that if a survey were needed, the City of Houston would have to pay for it.
City Inspector
The inspector then explained that “Without the required survey information, I could not assist him in bringing the property into compliance.” Further, the inspector advised the owner that, based on his position, there was nothing further to discuss and that citations would be issued that day and weekly thereafter until compliance was achieved.
Owner Refuses to Sign Citation
Next, the inspector asked the owner if he would sign the citation, but the owner declined. The inspector then informed him of the violations being cited and his arraignment date, time, and location. Finally, the inspector advised him that the citation—and any subsequent citations—would be mailed to the address listed on his state-issued identification.
Since that meeting, the inspector has issued citations on a weekly basis. Arraignment dates for these citations are scheduled as follows: January 27, 2026; February 3, 2026; and February 10, 2026.
“Beginning January 27, 2026,” said the inspector, “the owner’s required appearance for arraignments will be scheduled every Tuesday thereafter until compliance is achieved or until otherwise directed by leadership.”
What City Regulations Say
City of Houston regulations prohibit bringing fill dirt into floodways and floodplains. Chapter 19 Div. 2 Sec. 19.34 states:
No fill may be added to a 100-year floodplain.
Any loss of floodplain-storage volume must be mitigated onsite.
“No floodplain development permit shall be issued for a development to be located in any floodway…”
“The development will not impede the flow of floodwaters.”
“The development will not result in an adverse effect on the conveyance capacity during the occurrence of the base flood.”
Removal of Fill Demanded
According to City Council Member Flickinger’s Chief of Staff Dustin Hodges, nothing new has happened on the case since the 12/19/26 meeting.
“The City is still pushing for removal of all the fill brought into the floodplain and floodway.”
Dusin Hodges, District E Chief of Staff
Hodges also says the fine for non-compliance ranges from a minimum $250 per day up to $2,000 per day.
This may make the perfect test case. The fill, in my opinion, is egregious; this is no small amount. The area where the fill was dumped had the highest flooding in Harris County during Harvey – 27 feet above normal, which caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage and more than a dozen deaths.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/12/26
3059 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/20251209-DJI_20251209104552_0637_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2026-01-13 16:13:262026-01-14 08:49:47City Fines Property Owner Filling West Fork Floodplain, Floodway
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:
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:
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:
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.
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.
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
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/LC-Dam-e1719277556742.jpg?fit=1200%2C549&ssl=15491200adminadmin2026-01-11 19:19:532026-01-11 19:23:35SJRA Update on Status of Four Flood-Mitigation Projects
Northpark Contractors Pouring Concrete Again
1/14/2026 – After the holidays, Northpark contractors placed rebar in many gaps along Northpark where concrete had not yet been poured. And today the concrete trucks were out in force, filling those gaps.
Contractors were also hard at work on drainage connections under Loop 494. Once those connections are completed, the last remaining segments of concrete can be poured and 494 will be complete.
That will leave the bridge over 494 and the Union Pacific railroad tracks to build. But before that can happen, UPRR needs to move the signals to the new crossings. See more below.
Concrete Pours
I took all pictures below on 1/14/26 at around 11 AM. Most of the new concrete being poured this morning was between Sherwin Williams and Dairy Queen.
Drainage Connections at Loop 494
At Loop 494, contractors were working on both the northwest and southeast corners to complete drainage and sanitary connections.
The current construction schedule posted on the TIRZ website, shows that contractors will demolish the existing east bound lanes (center-right above) on Friday and Saturday nights, 1/23 and 1/24.
Re-Alignment of Railroad Crossing Signals
Before contractors build new surface lanes across the tracks and build the bridge, UPRR must move and rewire its traffic signals which currently close across the old lanes (right above).
Ralph DeLeon, TIRZ project manager says that he hopes UPRR will be able to get to the cross-signal issue in early February.
Until the TIRZ resolves that issue and pushes the new surface lanes across the track, it cannot build the bridge. There would be no way for traffic to get across the tracks.
Remaining Gaps
In the meantime, Northpark contractors will have to focus on filling in the remaining gaps.
Once the drainage on both sides of Loop 494 is connected, contractors must clean out the ditch that runs from Public Storage behind the businesses north of Northpark down to Bens Branch. Then the drainage will be fully operational from east to west.
But contractors must also to finish excavating the lakes on either side of the entry above.
Note at the bottom of the picture above, the full 12 lanes that Northpark will become in this area compared to the current four.
For More Information
When complete, this will be the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood for 78,000 people.
For additional forward-looking information, consult the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website, including their 3-week look-ahead schedule.
For a history of the project to date, search on “Northpark” in the upper right corner of ReduceFlooding.com. Since 2018, I have posted more than 200 stories about this project.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/14/2026
3060 Days since Hurricane Harvey
City Fines Property Owner Filling West Fork Floodplain, Floodway
1/13/25 – The City of Houston is fining a property owner caught bringing massive amounts of fill into the floodway and floodplain of the San Jacinto West Fork. The fines will signal others that the City is serious about enforcing its floodplain regulations.
Raid in Response to Dumping Caught on Camera
On 12/11/25, Houston Public Works raided a property at 21915 Savell Road, Kingwood, Texas 77339. The main entrance to the property lies at the corner of Savelle and Sorters-McClellan Roads.
The owner of the largely vacant property was bringing in dozens of giant dump trucks filled with dirt. The trucks dumped the dirt in the floodplain and floodway of the San Jacinto West Fork.
City inspectors, District E City Councilman Fred Flickinger’s Chief of Staff Dustin Hodges and HPD caught a dump truck pulling away with its bed still up as they entered the site. The raid was caught on camera.
City ordinances adopted after Harvey prohibit bringing fill into the floodways or 100-year floodplains. Property owners can move dirt within them. For instance, they can excavate detention basins and use the dirt to elevate homes elsewhere on the site above the floodplain. But they cannot add fill and constrict the conveyance of streams, rivers, or bayous. That pushes water onto adjoining property owners and increases their flood risk.
Multiple Violations Found
According to the City, inspectors found multiple egregious violations at the site. Despite that, the property owner appeared defiant rather than contrite in a followup meeting.
On December 19, the inspector met with the property owner. The meeting reportedly began innocently enough. The owner identified himself and the inspector confirmed his ownership of the property through Harris County Appraisal District records.
They then discussed multiple violations observed on the property within the Special Hazard Flood Area (SHFA) and the Floodway. The violations included:
The inspector next explained the applicable Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)/Chapter 19 Floodplain Ordinance, including City of Houston amendments.
Then, he reportedly told the property owner that an “as-is topographic survey” would be required to proceed. The survey would need to include spot elevations of current site conditions, delineation of the SHFA and Floodway, and the legal property boundaries.
He said this information was necessary because a neighboring property is also believed to be in violation.
Owner Pushes Back
According to the inspector, the owner then asked who would be responsible for paying for the survey. The inspector advised him that the cost would be the responsibility of the property owner in violation.
The inspector then explained that “Without the required survey information, I could not assist him in bringing the property into compliance.” Further, the inspector advised the owner that, based on his position, there was nothing further to discuss and that citations would be issued that day and weekly thereafter until compliance was achieved.
Owner Refuses to Sign Citation
Next, the inspector asked the owner if he would sign the citation, but the owner declined. The inspector then informed him of the violations being cited and his arraignment date, time, and location. Finally, the inspector advised him that the citation—and any subsequent citations—would be mailed to the address listed on his state-issued identification.
Since that meeting, the inspector has issued citations on a weekly basis. Arraignment dates for these citations are scheduled as follows: January 27, 2026; February 3, 2026; and February 10, 2026.
“Beginning January 27, 2026,” said the inspector, “the owner’s required appearance for arraignments will be scheduled every Tuesday thereafter until compliance is achieved or until otherwise directed by leadership.”
What City Regulations Say
City of Houston regulations prohibit bringing fill dirt into floodways and floodplains. Chapter 19 Div. 2 Sec. 19.34 states:
Floodways enjoy even more protection. Chapter 19 Div. 3 Sec. 19.43(a-b3) states:
Removal of Fill Demanded
According to City Council Member Flickinger’s Chief of Staff Dustin Hodges, nothing new has happened on the case since the 12/19/26 meeting.
Hodges also says the fine for non-compliance ranges from a minimum $250 per day up to $2,000 per day.
This may make the perfect test case. The fill, in my opinion, is egregious; this is no small amount. The area where the fill was dumped had the highest flooding in Harris County during Harvey – 27 feet above normal, which caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage and more than a dozen deaths.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/12/26
3059 Days since Hurricane Harvey
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:
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:
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