6/7/2025 – The Texas General Land Office (GLO) has provided an update on the status of more than $850 million in Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) grant applications related to Hurricane Harvey – including two that affect the Humble/Kingwood/Lake Houston Area.
GLO manages grants for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Texas. The grants in question are HUD Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Relief and Flood Mitigation – CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT.
The dollars allocated to various projects have shifted slightly since the May update as HCFCD received firmer bids/estimates and revised applications slightly.
The first category (disaster relief) totals $323.2 million. The second (flood mitigation) totals $529.5 million. Together, they total $852.7 million.
Approval Status
GLO has approved all but one of the Disaster Relief grants and is in the process of finalizing the Flood Mitigation applications with HCFCD.
Brittany Eck, a GLO spokesperson, said “There is a tremendous amount of work in progress, reviewing applications and request-for-information (RFI) responses to ensure all HUD eligibility requirements are met.”
In addition, 10 of the CDBG DR projects are in various stages of design. Two have already attained authority to use grant funds and will soon be going to bid. Arbor Oaks has already been bid and soon will be awarded, according to Eck. Bids closed on June 2.
There are 15 CDBG MIT project applications under various levels of review and two still in development.
This is no small task. Applications average around a hundred pages of technical data and there are 28 applications altogether. In addition to developing all that information, proving up the beneficiaries and LMI requirements is an even bigger part of the process, according to the GLO.
Projects Affecting Lake Houston Area
Two projects on the list greatly affect residents and businesses in the Humble/Kingwood/Lake Houston Area.
A regional drainage study for the watershed found that flooding along tributaries of Cypress Creek is predominately due to stormwater from Cypress Creek backing up into tributaries, rather than a lack of sufficient stormwater conveyance capacity on the tributaries themselves.
Therefore, stormwater detention basins were recommended to help to reduce the risk of flooding.
East Basin/Compartment 1 is the large one in the center.
2023 photo at TC Jester Detention Basin Press Conference, L to R, U.S. Representative Dan Crenshaw, State Representative Sam Harliss, Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey, and Dr. Tina Petersen, Executive Director of HCFCD
The entire project (west and east basins) reportedly comprises 171 acres. The photo below shows the area where the first of the East Basins will go.
Looking east across TC Jester. Cypresswood Dr. runs up left side. HCFCD owns the large wooded property in center.Cypress Creek runs diagonally along the right side of the wooded area toward top of frame.
While benefits will accrue primarily to those who live nearby, Cypress Creek is a major tributary to Lake Houston. And all stormwater held back upstream helps people downstream, too.
GLO has already approved $24.6 million for this project.
Taylor Gully Channel Conveyance Improvements/Woodridge Stormwater Detention Basin
These two projects have been combined to speed up their approval. Together they should cost approximately $42 million and benefit residents in northeastern Kingwood.
Woodridge Village is the former Perry Homes development along the headwaters of Taylor Gully. After the developer cleared the property, hundreds of homes flooded multiple times.
Before Perry sold the property to HCFCD and the City of Houston, it excavated several small detention basins. But they fell about 40% short of Atlas 14 standards.
HCFCD then entered into an excavation and removal contract with Sprint Sand and Clay to increase stormwater detention capacity. The contractor eventually excavated almost enough to meet Atlas 14 standards. However, HCFCD was forced to terminate the contract when it applied for the HUD grant.
Woodridge Detention Basin on left. Long red/blue line is Taylor Gully.
Here’s how the site looked last week.
Woodridge Village on May 31 2025. New detention basin started but not connected yet to Taylor Gully (upper right).
This also will be a cooperative venture between local, state and federal authorities, including:
U.S. Congressman Dan Crenshaw (TX-02)
State Representative Charles Cunningham (TX HD-127)
Harris County Commissioner Tom Ramsey, P.E. (Precinct 3)
Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger (District E)
Dr. Tina Petersen, P.E., Executive Director, Harris County Flood Control District
At a press conference on September 17, 2024, they discussed funding.
U.S. Representative Dan Crenshaw secured federal funding for Taylor Gully improvements in March 2022.
Rep. Cunningham said that the Texas Water Development Board approved state funding.
Expand a portion of Taylor Gully and line it with concrete.
Build another stormwater detention basin on Woodridge Village holding 412 acre-feet.
Replace the culverts at Rustling Elms with a clear-span bridge.
HCFCD is working closely with GLO to move the application along as quickly as possible. That’s also true for the other CDBG-MIT projects. The CDBG-DR projects have tighter deadlines, which is why HCFCD/GLO focused on those first.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/7/2025
2839 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20250531-DJI_20250531131053_0568_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-06-07 18:14:582025-06-07 18:20:32GLO Provides Update on HCFCD Grant Applications Totaling $850 Million
Correction: 6/6/25 @ 10:25 PM. The traffic switch scheduled for tonight has been delayed without explanation. It’s not yet clear when it will occur.
6/6/25 – A major Northpark traffic switch is scheduled to begin tonight at 9 PM on the westbound lanes between Loop 494 and US59, according to Ralph De Leon, project manager. Traffic will be rerouted from the center of the project to the recently completed new concrete on the north side of the thoroughfare.
The old center lanes will then be closed off for demolition, installation of new drainage and repaving.
De Leon did not say how long it would take to implement the NorthPark traffic switch. However, he did say that work in the center lanes should last about six months.
Map supplied by De Leon, project manager for Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority.
This shot taken at a lower angle today may help readers visualize the Northpark traffic switch. I’ve highlighted the new route for westbound traffic in red.
Crews have already placed temporary asphalt pavement for switch.
As traffic approaches 59, the detour will widen to three lanes, with one used for turning right. It only appears to narrow because of the distance.
In other Northpark news today…
Boring Under Tracks Starts
Crews started pushing the first of the steel pipes under the railroad tracks. The pipes will convey stormwater from the area west of 59 east to the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.
Tracks that hold boring machine are anchored to pit floor. The machine then forces steel pipe (rust colored) through a temporary hole in the pit wall.Wider shot shows the beginning of the receiving pit near Loop 494 on the other side of the tracks.Workers will weld additional sections of pipe onto the previous section(s) and push them through until they reach the receiving pit.
Then they will start over again and push a second parallel pipe under the tracks to create the needed drainage capacity.
Estimated duration for the bore operation is approximately 4 weeks.
Elsewhere on Northpark Today
Contractors placed more rebar for future concrete pours. With utility conflicts in the rear view mirror, the project should start to look more like an assembly line operation.
I have received no news yet from Montgomery County Precinct 4 about the engineering review of the Enclave Detention basin. More news to follow. At noon today, culvert work appeared to have stopped short of the basin. The issue had to do with a notation on construction plans showing the basin potentially overflowing into the evacuation route for 78,000 people during extreme storms.
For More Information
See this look-ahead schedule on the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority Project website. Major activities scheduled for the next two weeks include:
Twin 60″ bores under the railroad tracks
Parking lot drainage tie-ins
Culvert and inlet installation from the Kolache Factory to Public Storage
Prepping the sub-grade and pouring concrete in the same area
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/6/25
2838 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/2025/06/20250606-DJI_20250606123423_0104_D-copy.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-06-06 16:57:322025-06-06 22:40:15Northpark Traffic Switch Starts Friday at 9
6/5/25 – Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) is seeking to negotiate an agreement with the University of Oklahoma to help enhance the county’s Gauge Adjusted Radar Rainfall system. See Item 103 on the 6/12/25 agenda.
The system tells how much rain has fallen over a specific area during a certain period, thus providing input for the county’s flood forecasting model. Upgrades will:
Make it significantly easier to evaluate rainfall data using a more intuitive and interactive platform.
Provide a cloud-based data archive to overcome limitations in current workflows.
Enable “nowcasting” with rainfall estimates updated as frequently as every 10 minutes.
What is Gauge Adjusted Radar Rainfall?
Gauge Adjusted Radar Rainfall (GARR) systems estimate rainfall by combining radar-based precipitation estimates with ground-based rain-gauge measurements. The two together produce more accurate rainfall data over wider areas.
Radar can provide rainfall data over large areas with high frequency (e.g., every 5 minutes), but it’s prone to errors due to beam blockage, calibration issues, or interpreting non-rain targets (such as birds or dust) as rain.
Rain gauges give point-accurate rainfall measurements, but huge distances/gaps exist between gages. And rainfall is rarely uniform across wide areas.
Hypothetical image created by ChatGPT. Demonstrates differences in technologies.
Gauge adjusted radar rainfall systems blend both types of data. They use the broad coverage of radar but “correct” or adjusts the radar estimates using actual gauge readings. Great advances in the systems have been made in recent years.
Is It Good?
Yes. GARR is generally considered superior to using radar or gauges alone. It is widely used by agencies like the National Weather Service, USGS, and local flood control districts (e.g., HCFCD).
According to ChatGPT, the systems offer multiple benefits.
Benefits of Gauge Adjusted Radar Rainfall
Benefit
Explanation
Improved Accuracy
Combines radar’s spatial resolution with gauge accuracy, reducing biases in radar-only estimates.
Better Coverage
Provides rainfall estimates across areas with few or no gauges
Real-Time Utility
Enables near real-time rainfall mapping, critical for flood forecasting and emergency response.
Hydrologic Modeling
Offers high-resolution inputs for stormwater modeling, floodplain mapping, and watershed management.
Event Verification
Allows engineers and flood managers to verify how much rain actually fell over an entire basin during a storm.
How is GARR Used?
GARR data is often used in:
Post-storm analysis
Designing detention basins
Flood alert systems
Atlas 14 and extreme rainfall calibration
GARR systems are widely used for both real-time monitoring and hydrologic planning. And they are particularly valuable in flood-prone areas.
Success Stories
Harris County Flood Control
During Hurricane Harvey in 2017, GARR data provided near real-time insight into rainfall distribution — helping emergency managers prioritize rescues, issue flood alerts, and allocate resources.
Post-storm, GARR helped analyze where detention basins were effective and where flooding exceeded expected design thresholds.
HCFCD reportedly credits GARR with saving lives and informing infrastructure improvements after Harvey.
San Antonio River Authority (SARA)
SARA integrated GARR into its real-time models to monitor stormwater flow in the river basin. It:
Improved rainfall inputs to models that simulate flooding during storms
Enabled automated forecasts of creek levels and road closures
Reduced false positives/negatives from radar-only systems.
They used it to improve public safety, automated alerts and floodgate operations.
North Carolina
Mecklenburg County (Charlotte) uses GARR to fill data gaps across watersheds and create real-time flood forecasts with more accurate rainfall inputs.
They credit GARR systems with improved warning lead times and better informed design updates for critical infrastructure like culverts and detention ponds.
Recent Advances in GARR
HCFCD hopes to improve accuracy and operational capabilities that support improved flood forecasting. The District did not elaborate with more specifics, but GARR technology has improved greatly in recent years. Advances include:
1. Integration of AI and Machine Learning
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning techniques are improving GARR system accuracy. For instance, deep learning models have been employed to enhance precipitation “nowcasting” for emergency response.
2. Enhanced Data Assimilation Techniques
Advances in data assimilation now allow seamless integration of GARR data into hydrological models for more accurate flood forecasting.
3. Development of High-Resolution GARR Products
Companies like AEM have developed GARR products with resolutions as fine as 1 km² and temporal resolutions of 5 minutes. Such resolution is essential for urban planning, infrastructure design, and real-time flood monitoring.
4. Application in Urban Flood Management
During the unprecedented rainfall event in the United Arab Emirates in April 2024, GARR data played a crucial role in analyzing the hydrologic and flood impacts.
5. Expansion of Historical Data Archives
Organizations like OneRain have expanded their historical radar data archives, providing GARR data back to 1993. This helps planners analyze trends and infrastructure resilience to develop disaster risk reduction strategies.
HCFCD Request and Rationale
HCFCD hopes to provide an enhanced Gage Adjusted Radar Rainfall (GARR) Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) product that improves flood forecasting in Harris County.
This project expands the initial agreement between HCFCD and the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL). That agreement established a limited Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) domain over Harris County using HCFCD’s dense rain gauge network.
The new agreement should enhance the accuracy and operational capability of HCFCD’s GARR MRMS system. It will integrate verification tools, cloud-based processing, and sub-hourly nowcasting capabilities. These improvements should lead to better spatial representation of rainfall, improved short-term forecasting, and ultimately strengthen flood risk prediction and response efforts across Harris County.
Looking for a summer science project for your student? Here it is.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/5/25and updated on 6/6/25
2837 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20250605-ChatGPT-Image-Jun-5-2025-at-09_16_21-PM.jpg?fit=1100%2C1100&ssl=111001100adminadmin2025-06-05 21:40:322025-06-06 10:01:07HCFCD Seeks to Enhance its Gauge Adjusted Radar Rainfall System
GLO Provides Update on HCFCD Grant Applications Totaling $850 Million
6/7/2025 – The Texas General Land Office (GLO) has provided an update on the status of more than $850 million in Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) grant applications related to Hurricane Harvey – including two that affect the Humble/Kingwood/Lake Houston Area.
GLO manages grants for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Texas. The grants in question are HUD Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Relief and Flood Mitigation – CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT.
The dollars allocated to various projects have shifted slightly since the May update as HCFCD received firmer bids/estimates and revised applications slightly.
The first category (disaster relief) totals $323.2 million. The second (flood mitigation) totals $529.5 million. Together, they total $852.7 million.
Approval Status
GLO has approved all but one of the Disaster Relief grants and is in the process of finalizing the Flood Mitigation applications with HCFCD.
Brittany Eck, a GLO spokesperson, said “There is a tremendous amount of work in progress, reviewing applications and request-for-information (RFI) responses to ensure all HUD eligibility requirements are met.”
In addition, 10 of the CDBG DR projects are in various stages of design. Two have already attained authority to use grant funds and will soon be going to bid. Arbor Oaks has already been bid and soon will be awarded, according to Eck. Bids closed on June 2.
There are 15 CDBG MIT project applications under various levels of review and two still in development.
This is no small task. Applications average around a hundred pages of technical data and there are 28 applications altogether. In addition to developing all that information, proving up the beneficiaries and LMI requirements is an even bigger part of the process, according to the GLO.
Projects Affecting Lake Houston Area
Two projects on the list greatly affect residents and businesses in the Humble/Kingwood/Lake Houston Area.
TC Jester Basin
The first is the East TC Jester Basin/Compartment 1B. It is located on the east side of TC Jester Boulevard in the Cypress Creek Watershed.
A regional drainage study for the watershed found that flooding along tributaries of Cypress Creek is predominately due to stormwater from Cypress Creek backing up into tributaries, rather than a lack of sufficient stormwater conveyance capacity on the tributaries themselves.
Therefore, stormwater detention basins were recommended to help to reduce the risk of flooding.
In September 2023, several parties held a press conference to announce funding for this project at the job site. This should be the last piece of the puzzle to fall into place.
The entire project (west and east basins) reportedly comprises 171 acres. The photo below shows the area where the first of the East Basins will go.
While benefits will accrue primarily to those who live nearby, Cypress Creek is a major tributary to Lake Houston. And all stormwater held back upstream helps people downstream, too.
GLO has already approved $24.6 million for this project.
Taylor Gully Channel Conveyance Improvements/Woodridge Stormwater Detention Basin
These two projects have been combined to speed up their approval. Together they should cost approximately $42 million and benefit residents in northeastern Kingwood.
Woodridge Village is the former Perry Homes development along the headwaters of Taylor Gully. After the developer cleared the property, hundreds of homes flooded multiple times.
Before Perry sold the property to HCFCD and the City of Houston, it excavated several small detention basins. But they fell about 40% short of Atlas 14 standards.
HCFCD then entered into an excavation and removal contract with Sprint Sand and Clay to increase stormwater detention capacity. The contractor eventually excavated almost enough to meet Atlas 14 standards. However, HCFCD was forced to terminate the contract when it applied for the HUD grant.
Here’s how the site looked last week.
This also will be a cooperative venture between local, state and federal authorities, including:
At a press conference on September 17, 2024, they discussed funding.
What Woodridge/Taylor Gully Project Includes
HCFCD applied for grants to:
HCFCD is working closely with GLO to move the application along as quickly as possible. That’s also true for the other CDBG-MIT projects. The CDBG-DR projects have tighter deadlines, which is why HCFCD/GLO focused on those first.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/7/2025
2839 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Northpark Traffic Switch Starts Friday at 9
Correction: 6/6/25 @ 10:25 PM. The traffic switch scheduled for tonight has been delayed without explanation. It’s not yet clear when it will occur.
6/6/25 – A major Northpark traffic switch is scheduled to begin tonight at 9 PM on the westbound lanes between Loop 494 and US59, according to Ralph De Leon, project manager. Traffic will be rerouted from the center of the project to the recently completed new concrete on the north side of the thoroughfare.
The old center lanes will then be closed off for demolition, installation of new drainage and repaving.
De Leon did not say how long it would take to implement the NorthPark traffic switch. However, he did say that work in the center lanes should last about six months.
This shot taken at a lower angle today may help readers visualize the Northpark traffic switch. I’ve highlighted the new route for westbound traffic in red.
As traffic approaches 59, the detour will widen to three lanes, with one used for turning right. It only appears to narrow because of the distance.
In other Northpark news today…
Boring Under Tracks Starts
Crews started pushing the first of the steel pipes under the railroad tracks. The pipes will convey stormwater from the area west of 59 east to the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.
Then they will start over again and push a second parallel pipe under the tracks to create the needed drainage capacity.
Estimated duration for the bore operation is approximately 4 weeks.
Elsewhere on Northpark Today
Contractors placed more rebar for future concrete pours. With utility conflicts in the rear view mirror, the project should start to look more like an assembly line operation.
I have received no news yet from Montgomery County Precinct 4 about the engineering review of the Enclave Detention basin. More news to follow. At noon today, culvert work appeared to have stopped short of the basin. The issue had to do with a notation on construction plans showing the basin potentially overflowing into the evacuation route for 78,000 people during extreme storms.
For More Information
See this look-ahead schedule on the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority Project website. Major activities scheduled for the next two weeks include:
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/6/25
2838 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.
HCFCD Seeks to Enhance its Gauge Adjusted Radar Rainfall System
6/5/25 – Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) is seeking to negotiate an agreement with the University of Oklahoma to help enhance the county’s Gauge Adjusted Radar Rainfall system. See Item 103 on the 6/12/25 agenda.
The system tells how much rain has fallen over a specific area during a certain period, thus providing input for the county’s flood forecasting model. Upgrades will:
What is Gauge Adjusted Radar Rainfall?
Gauge Adjusted Radar Rainfall (GARR) systems estimate rainfall by combining radar-based precipitation estimates with ground-based rain-gauge measurements. The two together produce more accurate rainfall data over wider areas.
Gauge adjusted radar rainfall systems blend both types of data. They use the broad coverage of radar but “correct” or adjusts the radar estimates using actual gauge readings. Great advances in the systems have been made in recent years.
Is It Good?
Yes. GARR is generally considered superior to using radar or gauges alone. It is widely used by agencies like the National Weather Service, USGS, and local flood control districts (e.g., HCFCD).
According to ChatGPT, the systems offer multiple benefits.
Benefits of Gauge Adjusted Radar Rainfall
How is GARR Used?
GARR data is often used in:
GARR systems are widely used for both real-time monitoring and hydrologic planning. And they are particularly valuable in flood-prone areas.
Success Stories
Harris County Flood Control
During Hurricane Harvey in 2017, GARR data provided near real-time insight into rainfall distribution — helping emergency managers prioritize rescues, issue flood alerts, and allocate resources.
Post-storm, GARR helped analyze where detention basins were effective and where flooding exceeded expected design thresholds.
HCFCD reportedly credits GARR with saving lives and informing infrastructure improvements after Harvey.
San Antonio River Authority (SARA)
SARA integrated GARR into its real-time models to monitor stormwater flow in the river basin. It:
They used it to improve public safety, automated alerts and floodgate operations.
North Carolina
Mecklenburg County (Charlotte) uses GARR to fill data gaps across watersheds and create real-time flood forecasts with more accurate rainfall inputs.
They credit GARR systems with improved warning lead times and better informed design updates for critical infrastructure like culverts and detention ponds.
Recent Advances in GARR
HCFCD hopes to improve accuracy and operational capabilities that support improved flood forecasting. The District did not elaborate with more specifics, but GARR technology has improved greatly in recent years. Advances include:
1. Integration of AI and Machine Learning
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning techniques are improving GARR system accuracy. For instance, deep learning models have been employed to enhance precipitation “nowcasting” for emergency response.
2. Enhanced Data Assimilation Techniques
Advances in data assimilation now allow seamless integration of GARR data into hydrological models for more accurate flood forecasting.
3. Development of High-Resolution GARR Products
Companies like AEM have developed GARR products with resolutions as fine as 1 km² and temporal resolutions of 5 minutes. Such resolution is essential for urban planning, infrastructure design, and real-time flood monitoring.
4. Application in Urban Flood Management
During the unprecedented rainfall event in the United Arab Emirates in April 2024, GARR data played a crucial role in analyzing the hydrologic and flood impacts.
5. Expansion of Historical Data Archives
Organizations like OneRain have expanded their historical radar data archives, providing GARR data back to 1993. This helps planners analyze trends and infrastructure resilience to develop disaster risk reduction strategies.
HCFCD Request and Rationale
HCFCD hopes to provide an enhanced Gage Adjusted Radar Rainfall (GARR) Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) product that improves flood forecasting in Harris County.
This project expands the initial agreement between HCFCD and the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL). That agreement established a limited Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) domain over Harris County using HCFCD’s dense rain gauge network.
The new agreement should enhance the accuracy and operational capability of HCFCD’s GARR MRMS system. It will integrate verification tools, cloud-based processing, and sub-hourly nowcasting capabilities. These improvements should lead to better spatial representation of rainfall, improved short-term forecasting, and ultimately strengthen flood risk prediction and response efforts across Harris County.
Looking for a summer science project for your student? Here it is.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/5/25 and updated on 6/6/25
2837 Days since Hurricane Harvey