6/27/25 – In a virtual public meeting tonight, the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) briefed the public on the last Cypress Creek Major Maintenance Project associated with the 2018 Flood Bond. The project name: Cypress Creek Channel Rehabilitation and Stormwater Detention Basin, Main Stem, Batch 5.
Batch 5 consists of two smaller packages:
Channel Rehab at Kuykendahl and the Cypress Hill Stormwater Detention Basin, expected completion by Q4 2027.
Channel Rehab near I-45 and the first phase of the Senger Stormwater Detention Basin, completed by Q2 2028.
Currently, HCFCD is finalizing design for both packages. They expect to complete design by July 2025 and advertise it for bids beginning in Q2 of 2026.
Batch 5 consists of channel repairs for 1.4 miles of the creek and its tributaries, plus two major detention basins that together will hold 631 acre feet.
All Flood Control District projects receiving U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Develop Block Grant mitigation funds must be completed by March 31st, 2028.
During the channel repairs, HCFCD says it will make the side slopes of channels less steep to minimize future erosion.
About Cypress Creek and Repairs
The first four batches of repairs restored approximately 24 miles of Cypress Creek and its tributaries. HCFCD has completed Batches 1-3 and Batch 4 is still in progress. Estimated completion for Batch 4: Q1 2026.
Cypress Creek is a highly developed watershed located in northwest Harris County. It extends into Waller County. The watershed comprises 267 square miles, making it one of the county’s larger watersheds. It has 250 miles of open channels including Cypress Creek itself.
During Hurricane Harvey, 29 inches of rain fell across the watershed, damaging more than 9,500 structures.
No Adverse Impact Allowed Downstream
This is the fifth of five major maintenance programs along Cypress Creek associated with the 2018 Flood Bond.
The detention basins are actually designed to mitigate the channel rehabilitation work. Specifically, the channel rehabilitation work will speed floodwater up. The basins will offset that by slowing floodwaters down and reducing the volume in the creek.
As one presenter tonight pointed out, “The flood control district is a “no-adverse-impact” agency. That means we do not allow our projects to reduce flooding risks for one area, while increasing risks somewhere else. That’s why stormwater detention basins are often built before or at the same time as channel conveyance improvements or channel rehabilitation to prevent any unintended impacts downstream.”
The detention basins will hold enough water to cover a football field to a depth of 478 feet.
Getting Closer to Lake Houston Area
Batch 5 includes two separate packages. One is near Kuykendahl.
And the other is near I-45.
HCFCD should hear from the Texas General Land Office (GLO) and HUD on funding soon. The District submitted a grant application for almost $54 million that is still under review (as of 6/7/25) by GLO.
Project Benefits
The District was a little hazy about the benefits. Of course, this is a maintenance program, not a capital improvement program.
A spokesperson said, “Pre-Atlas-14 100-year design storm models show a water-surface elevation reduction of up to one foot near the I-45 project limits” for the Kuykendahl package.
Altogether, HCFCD estimates the benefit area of this project will include nearly 40,000 people, who either live near and/or commute through the area.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/17/2025
2849 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/K500-31-00-E001.jpg?fit=1100%2C745&ssl=17451100adminadmin2025-06-17 22:37:062025-06-18 13:43:04HCFCD Briefs Community on Last Cypress Creek Major Maintenance Project
6/16/25 – Not many people understand the value of education and preservation as a flood-mitigation strategies. Leaving land near waterways in its natural state costs a tiny fraction of building giant detention basins after people flood. Plus the natural land provides recreation for people and habitat for wildlife.
The people who built communities like Kingwood and the Woodlands understood that. That’s why we have 300-foot-wide greenbelts along streams like Bens Branch. It’s also why we have giant natural areas like East End Park and the Creekwood Nature Center. They draw an exceptional amount of wildlife to one of the largest cities in America.
But passing that learning on to others requires education.
Connecting with Nature Through Photography
Ansel Adams once said, “If you want to preserve nature, inspire people with its beauty.” I’d take that a step further and add “…while they are young.”
Education and preservation are both crucial flood-mitigation strategies.
So, this morning, I gave a talk about bird photography to a class of young, aspiring photographers at the Creativity Shell in Kingwood.
Years ago before retirement, I built the building that now houses the Creativity Shell. It won national architectural awards for the way it integrated nature with business. I took many of the photos below on the property near Kingwood Park High School. The rest were taken in the surrounding area.
The photos underscore how preservation can bring beauty, contentment, excitement and joy to people who otherwise inhabit a densely populated urban environment. They help people see the subjects, not just as other species, but as individuals struggling to survive, thrive, and raise young of their own.
Photos of Area Wildlife
Two great egrets mirror each other as they preen their feathers.Painted bunting munches on tall-grass seed outside the front door of the Creativity ShellTwo proud parents watch the first of their chicks hatch out of its egg.Mallard on Lake HoustonA gathering of roseate spoonbills. The shape of their long bills lets them efficiently sift through muddy water in swampy areas where they can’t see food clearly. Mating display of great egret.Roseate spoonbill returning to nest.Great egret tilts its wings to slow down before landing on its nest.One species attempts to raid the nest of another and triggers a war.Another display of the great egret. The long, lacy plumes (aigrettes) are raised and displayed during courtship.One roseate spoonbill returns to the nest which the other was guarding.Red-tailed hawk was feasting on a possum outside Creativity ShellBig sticks like these are used to form the foundation of nests that will hold three to four chicks as they grow to adolescence.The vision of a hawk is significantly sharper than humans’. Some estimates suggest they have eight times more resolution. This lets them spot prey up to a mile away in some cases. Roseate spoonbill coming in for a landing.
And for something completely different…
Fawn born on the lawn of the Creativity Shell near the front door.
About the Creativity Shell
The Creativity Shell took over a building I constructed in the early 2000s for my business – Rehak Creative Services. The 20,000 SF facility is divided up into multiple open spaces designed to encourage interaction, sharing and creativity. Virtually every space in the building has a view of nature outside from at least three different angles.
Shelancia Daniel, M.Ed. and executive director, has turned it into a space for encouraging creativity among students of all ages. Offerings include classes/workshops for sewing, textile arts, fiber arts, art, drawing, painting, pottery, photography, media, cooking, culinary arts, knitting, S.T.R.E.A.M. (science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, math/media), and so much more.
More than 80 summer-camp students and teachers gathered outside the Creative Shell for a group photo this morning.
The Creativity Shell operates year round. It is a nonprofit organization on a mission to educate and inspire the next generation of makers. It was a privilege and a pleasure to see the light in their young eyes.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/16/25
2848 days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Slide6.jpeg?fit=1100%2C825&ssl=18251100adminadmin2025-06-16 15:39:412025-06-16 15:48:07In Praise of Education, Preservation as Flood-Mitigation Strategies
6/14/25 – In the NorthPark Drive expansion project last week, the traffic switch originally scheduled for 6/6 finally happened on 6/10. Since then, demolition of the old westbound lanes on Northpark between Loop 494 and US59 has begun.
In other Northpark news, contractors are laying rebar in preparation for a concrete pour between Public Storage and Quick Quack Car Wash.
And after an engineering review, Ralph De Leon, the Northpark project manager, says 100% of the water in the Enclave Detention Basin will go south toward the Kingwood Diversion Ditch and that it will not overflow into Northpark.
Finally, CenterPoint has removed an electrical pole that was in the way of boring underneath the UnionPacific Railroad tracks. Contractors have finished the receiving pit west of the tracks and have started boring for the second pipe that will go under the tracks. However, it appears there may be some utility conflicts in the receiving pit west of the tracks.
I took all the pictures below on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
Traffic Switch and Old Lane Demolition
The shot below shows how traffic was diverted from the old westbound lanes in the middle of the frame.
Looking E from in front of Exxon Station near US59. Note traffic swerving to left of the area where heavy equipment is perforating the old westbound lanes in preparation for their removal.
This close shot shows the actual perforations made by what looks like a hydraulic hammer (or giant punch) on the arm of an excavator.
Perforation of old concrete in preparation for removal.
After the old concrete is removed, new culverts will be placed underneath where it was. Then contractors will pour new concrete.
As you can see below, it looks like the perforation stretches halfway from Loop 494 to US59 as of Saturday 6/14/25. LHRA hopes to finish that work this coming week.
Looking East from over US59.
Getting Ready for Next Concrete Pour
Contractors have also finished placing rebar in new westbound lanes between the Quick Quack Car Wash and Public Storage.
Looking E toward Quick Quack from the Dunkin’ parking lot.Looking W from Dunkin’ driveway toward Public Storage.Wider shot looking W shows location of rebar in upper center (to left of traffic).New Enclave Subdivision within Kings Mill on right.
Enclave Detention Basin Controversy
In a previous post, I noted how construction plans for the Enclave showed its detention basin overflowing into Northpark during extreme rainfall events. That became a concern because one of the main goals for Northpark is to create an all-weather evacuation route for 78,000 people during high-water events.
Detail from Enclave construction plans obtained via FOIA request from Montgomery County Engineer’s Office.Highlight added.
Montgomery County Precinct 4’s Victoria Bryant said that she was convening a review of the plans by the two engineering companies involved (for Northpark Expansion and the Enclave), the Montgomery County Engineer’s Office and Houston Public Works. She has not yet communicated the outcome of that review.
Separately, the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 conducted its own internal engineering review.
At the LHRA/TIRZ 10 board meeting on 6/12/25, Ralph De Leon, project manager for Northpark expansion stated that “It’s not going to overflow. 100% of the water goes south, ties into Kings Mill, and will go out (to) the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.”
Council Member Fred Flickinger added, “Now, obviously, all of it going into the Diversion Ditch creates another set of issues.”
It’s not clear yet whether the Montgomery County Engineer’s Office reached the same conclusion. No one has explained the reason for the notation on the plans yet.
Meanwhile, Enclave contractors have finished connecting storm sewer pipes to their detention basin.
Storm sewer pipe from Kings Mill now reaches the Enclave Detention Basin.
Bore Under Railroad Tracks
Side-by-side 5-foot steel pipes will carry stormwater under the UnionPacific Railroad tracks from the area west of Loop 494 to the east toward the Diversion Ditch by Flowers of Kingwood.
However, for years, a CenterPoint electricity pole blocked the path. CenterPoint finally removed it last week. That’s good news.
Looking west at start of twin 5-foot pipes that will carry stormwater under tracks.“Receiving pit” on far side of tracks.
Contractors have also apparently finished the receiving pit west of the tracks where the pipes will tie into a junction box under Loop 494 northbound lanes.
However, the “receiving pit” west of the tracks appears to have some utility conflicts of its own. See below.
Note one pipe under ladder and another cutting diagonally across receiving pit.LHRA notes indicate one is an abandoned water line.
Once UnionPacific approves a workaround, LHRA says crews will work 24 hours to finish the bores within two weeks.
As they say in construction, “it’s always something.”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/14/25
2846 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.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20250614-DJI_20250614153752_0194_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-06-14 20:53:272025-06-14 20:53:28Demolition of Old Westbound Lanes Begins on Northpark
HCFCD Briefs Community on Last Cypress Creek Major Maintenance Project
6/27/25 – In a virtual public meeting tonight, the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) briefed the public on the last Cypress Creek Major Maintenance Project associated with the 2018 Flood Bond. The project name: Cypress Creek Channel Rehabilitation and Stormwater Detention Basin, Main Stem, Batch 5.
Batch 5 consists of two smaller packages:
Currently, HCFCD is finalizing design for both packages. They expect to complete design by July 2025 and advertise it for bids beginning in Q2 of 2026.
Batch 5 consists of channel repairs for 1.4 miles of the creek and its tributaries, plus two major detention basins that together will hold 631 acre feet.
All Flood Control District projects receiving U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Develop Block Grant mitigation funds must be completed by March 31st, 2028.
During the channel repairs, HCFCD says it will make the side slopes of channels less steep to minimize future erosion.
About Cypress Creek and Repairs
The first four batches of repairs restored approximately 24 miles of Cypress Creek and its tributaries. HCFCD has completed Batches 1-3 and Batch 4 is still in progress. Estimated completion for Batch 4: Q1 2026.
Cypress Creek is a highly developed watershed located in northwest Harris County. It extends into Waller County. The watershed comprises 267 square miles, making it one of the county’s larger watersheds. It has 250 miles of open channels including Cypress Creek itself.
During Hurricane Harvey, 29 inches of rain fell across the watershed, damaging more than 9,500 structures.
No Adverse Impact Allowed Downstream
This is the fifth of five major maintenance programs along Cypress Creek associated with the 2018 Flood Bond.
The detention basins are actually designed to mitigate the channel rehabilitation work. Specifically, the channel rehabilitation work will speed floodwater up. The basins will offset that by slowing floodwaters down and reducing the volume in the creek.
As one presenter tonight pointed out, “The flood control district is a “no-adverse-impact” agency. That means we do not allow our projects to reduce flooding risks for one area, while increasing risks somewhere else. That’s why stormwater detention basins are often built before or at the same time as channel conveyance improvements or channel rehabilitation to prevent any unintended impacts downstream.”
The detention basins will hold enough water to cover a football field to a depth of 478 feet.
Getting Closer to Lake Houston Area
Batch 5 includes two separate packages. One is near Kuykendahl.
And the other is near I-45.
HCFCD should hear from the Texas General Land Office (GLO) and HUD on funding soon. The District submitted a grant application for almost $54 million that is still under review (as of 6/7/25) by GLO.
Project Benefits
The District was a little hazy about the benefits. Of course, this is a maintenance program, not a capital improvement program.
A spokesperson said, “Pre-Atlas-14 100-year design storm models show a water-surface elevation reduction of up to one foot near the I-45 project limits” for the Kuykendahl package.
Altogether, HCFCD estimates the benefit area of this project will include nearly 40,000 people, who either live near and/or commute through the area.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/17/2025
2849 Days since Hurricane Harvey
In Praise of Education, Preservation as Flood-Mitigation Strategies
6/16/25 – Not many people understand the value of education and preservation as a flood-mitigation strategies. Leaving land near waterways in its natural state costs a tiny fraction of building giant detention basins after people flood. Plus the natural land provides recreation for people and habitat for wildlife.
The people who built communities like Kingwood and the Woodlands understood that. That’s why we have 300-foot-wide greenbelts along streams like Bens Branch. It’s also why we have giant natural areas like East End Park and the Creekwood Nature Center. They draw an exceptional amount of wildlife to one of the largest cities in America.
But passing that learning on to others requires education.
Connecting with Nature Through Photography
Ansel Adams once said, “If you want to preserve nature, inspire people with its beauty.” I’d take that a step further and add “…while they are young.”
Education and preservation are both crucial flood-mitigation strategies.
So, this morning, I gave a talk about bird photography to a class of young, aspiring photographers at the Creativity Shell in Kingwood.
Years ago before retirement, I built the building that now houses the Creativity Shell. It won national architectural awards for the way it integrated nature with business. I took many of the photos below on the property near Kingwood Park High School. The rest were taken in the surrounding area.
The photos underscore how preservation can bring beauty, contentment, excitement and joy to people who otherwise inhabit a densely populated urban environment. They help people see the subjects, not just as other species, but as individuals struggling to survive, thrive, and raise young of their own.
Photos of Area Wildlife
And for something completely different…
About the Creativity Shell
The Creativity Shell took over a building I constructed in the early 2000s for my business – Rehak Creative Services. The 20,000 SF facility is divided up into multiple open spaces designed to encourage interaction, sharing and creativity. Virtually every space in the building has a view of nature outside from at least three different angles.
Shelancia Daniel, M.Ed. and executive director, has turned it into a space for encouraging creativity among students of all ages. Offerings include classes/workshops for sewing, textile arts, fiber arts, art, drawing, painting, pottery, photography, media, cooking, culinary arts, knitting, S.T.R.E.A.M. (science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, math/media), and so much more.
The Creativity Shell operates year round. It is a nonprofit organization on a mission to educate and inspire the next generation of makers. It was a privilege and a pleasure to see the light in their young eyes.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/16/25
2848 days since Hurricane Harvey
Demolition of Old Westbound Lanes Begins on Northpark
6/14/25 – In the NorthPark Drive expansion project last week, the traffic switch originally scheduled for 6/6 finally happened on 6/10. Since then, demolition of the old westbound lanes on Northpark between Loop 494 and US59 has begun.
In other Northpark news, contractors are laying rebar in preparation for a concrete pour between Public Storage and Quick Quack Car Wash.
And after an engineering review, Ralph De Leon, the Northpark project manager, says 100% of the water in the Enclave Detention Basin will go south toward the Kingwood Diversion Ditch and that it will not overflow into Northpark.
Finally, CenterPoint has removed an electrical pole that was in the way of boring underneath the UnionPacific Railroad tracks. Contractors have finished the receiving pit west of the tracks and have started boring for the second pipe that will go under the tracks. However, it appears there may be some utility conflicts in the receiving pit west of the tracks.
I took all the pictures below on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
Traffic Switch and Old Lane Demolition
The shot below shows how traffic was diverted from the old westbound lanes in the middle of the frame.
This close shot shows the actual perforations made by what looks like a hydraulic hammer (or giant punch) on the arm of an excavator.
After the old concrete is removed, new culverts will be placed underneath where it was. Then contractors will pour new concrete.
As you can see below, it looks like the perforation stretches halfway from Loop 494 to US59 as of Saturday 6/14/25. LHRA hopes to finish that work this coming week.
Getting Ready for Next Concrete Pour
Contractors have also finished placing rebar in new westbound lanes between the Quick Quack Car Wash and Public Storage.
Enclave Detention Basin Controversy
In a previous post, I noted how construction plans for the Enclave showed its detention basin overflowing into Northpark during extreme rainfall events. That became a concern because one of the main goals for Northpark is to create an all-weather evacuation route for 78,000 people during high-water events.
Montgomery County Precinct 4’s Victoria Bryant said that she was convening a review of the plans by the two engineering companies involved (for Northpark Expansion and the Enclave), the Montgomery County Engineer’s Office and Houston Public Works. She has not yet communicated the outcome of that review.
Separately, the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 conducted its own internal engineering review.
At the LHRA/TIRZ 10 board meeting on 6/12/25, Ralph De Leon, project manager for Northpark expansion stated that “It’s not going to overflow. 100% of the water goes south, ties into Kings Mill, and will go out (to) the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.”
Council Member Fred Flickinger added, “Now, obviously, all of it going into the Diversion Ditch creates another set of issues.”
It’s not clear yet whether the Montgomery County Engineer’s Office reached the same conclusion. No one has explained the reason for the notation on the plans yet.
Meanwhile, Enclave contractors have finished connecting storm sewer pipes to their detention basin.
Bore Under Railroad Tracks
Side-by-side 5-foot steel pipes will carry stormwater under the UnionPacific Railroad tracks from the area west of Loop 494 to the east toward the Diversion Ditch by Flowers of Kingwood.
However, for years, a CenterPoint electricity pole blocked the path. CenterPoint finally removed it last week. That’s good news.
Contractors have also apparently finished the receiving pit west of the tracks where the pipes will tie into a junction box under Loop 494 northbound lanes.
However, the “receiving pit” west of the tracks appears to have some utility conflicts of its own. See below.
Once UnionPacific approves a workaround, LHRA says crews will work 24 hours to finish the bores within two weeks.
As they say in construction, “it’s always something.”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/14/25
2846 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.