3/14/26 – Scores of volunteers – young and old – showed up this morning in picture perfect weather for Median Madness 6. After a brief safety moment by Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger and Trees for Kingwood’s Chris Bloch, they posed for a team photo. Then, armed with shears and saws, they experienced the joy people feel from volunteering and helping others – a true helper’s high.
A Sense of Purpose and Satisfaction
They attacked a thicket of vines and protruding branches encroaching on traffic along a two block stretch of Kingwood Drive between Fosters Mill and Sand Creek.
There was a palpable air of satisfaction that comes from service to the community. You could see it in the looks of determination on their faces. You could feel it as they team-tackled gnarly growths of vines. See photos below.
Council Member Fred Flickinger (center, blue shirt) kicked off the morning with a thank you to sponsors Chick-fil-A, H-E-B, Trees for Kingwood and the Houston Parks and Recreation DepartmentChris Bloch (brown shirt) of Trees for Kingwood instructed the volunteers on their mission and safety.Houston Parks employees turned out to help volunteers. They gathered piles of brush and attacked larger limbs with chain saws.Many of the volunteers were from Kingwood High School groups such as Greenbelt Guardians and the Young Men’s Service League.The army of vine wranglers posed for a team photo before getting down to work.Then they quickly fanned out down the median...…and got straight to work, pulling vines and stacking them for disposal.Within minutes, the piles of vines started to grow...…and you could see the smiles all around.Age was no deterrent. This volunteer more than kept up with younger ones.Within the first half hour, Houston Parks employees were pushing the clippings into larger piles for disposal……and volunteers were spread out on both sides of the median for blocks.
A Heartfelt Thank You
This community spirit is a large part of what makes Kingwood Kingwood – people giving a Saturday morning to make their community a better, safer place to live. Thanks to all who gave their time and effort!
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/14/26
3119 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC_5055.jpg?fit=1100%2C486&ssl=14861100adminadmin2026-03-14 12:30:432026-03-14 12:30:44Median Madness 6: Joie de Volunteering
3/13/26 – Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) has asked for a 20-month extension on the Kingwood Diversion Ditch Project scheduled to take 24 months. The original period of performance for the contract was from 4/1/24 to 4/1/26. But backup provided to Commissioners Court shows HCFCD doesn’t even expect to give the vendor a notice to proceed until 4/27/26.
The announced reason for the extension request: “…an unforeseen delay in project cost negotiations to remain within budget…”
“Who negotiates with a vendor for two years on a job with a two year deadline?”
The Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis recommended expanding the Diversion Ditch as the top priority in Kingwood in 2020.
Preliminary engineering on the project began in 2021. But then the Democrats on Commissioner’s Court forced a management change at HCFCD.
The preliminary engineering was supposed to take 330 days, but it took four years instead. Worse, after all that time, it was criticized for not reflecting actual conditions and obvious recommendations. HCFCD blamed the problems on vendor “personnel issues.”
But it took HCFCD another seven months from publication of the preliminary engineering report to the time they officially delivered it to Commissioners Court for formal approval.
Congressman Dan Crenshaw first requested a $1.6 million grant for Diversion Ditch design in 2021. It was approved in the fiscal year 2022 budget by Congress. Now, HCFCD is requesting a two-year extension until December 31, 2027.
From the identification of the need in the Kingwood Area Drainage analysis on 10/20/20 to the projected end date of 12/31/27, 2628 days will elapse (assuming no more delays).
To put that in perspective, the U.S. won World War II in 1348 days.
So, it will take almost twice as long to redesign a channel as it did to win World War II! That takes some real talent! I’m not sure it’s possible to walk a project any slower and not have Commissioners Court notice. To be fair, the Diversion Ditch IS more than three miles long!
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/13/26
3118 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20230401-DJI_0363.jpg?fit=1100%2C733&ssl=17331100adminadmin2026-03-13 19:09:542026-03-20 14:19:22Kingwood Diversion Ditch Project Delayed Again
3/12/26 – According to the Office of the Harris County Engineer, TXDoT’s prime contractor on the FM2100 expansion operation and a subcontractor have been told to refrain from bringing additional fill into the floodplain of Cedar Bayou. Mr. Yancey Scott, PE, CFM, Assistant Director of Permits, said the County Attorney’s Office hand delivered a letter on 3/5/26 notifying them to stop placing fill in the floodplain.
I have not photographed them bringing any more fill into the floodplain since then. However, the situation does appear to be worsening. Someone is spreading the fill out over an area three times larger on the same property. Now, instead of reaching 20-30 feet up over approximately six acres, it’s being spread across 17 acres.
Imagine standing up in full bathtub, then lying down. You will displace more water when lying because your “footprint” increases. It’s the same with the fill.
History of Operation
For months, TXDoT contractors working on the FM2100 expansion project in Huffman were excavating a detention basin above the floodplain in the Luce Bayou watershed. From there, they trucked the dirt to the Cedar Bayou watershed and dumped it in the floodplain, reportedly without a permit. I first captured the dumping on camera on Feb. 5, 2026.
On Feb. 25, 2026, Harris County first shut down the operation. According to local residents, the contractor started hauling the dirt to an alternative site in Liberty County.
But by March 4, 2026, I photographed more trucks bringing more fill to the original property in the Cedar Bayou floodplain on Huffman Eastgate Road. This time they spread it out, though, in the northern part of the red box below.
Current effective FEMA Floodplain Map dated 6/18/2007. Aqua colored area is 100-year floodplain. Note how floodplain extends past Inter-basin Transfer Canal at top of frame.3/4/26.I witnessed a steady parade of dump trucks coming from the FM2100 excavation site and dumping their loadsnear the Inter-Basin Transfer Canal at top of frame.3/4/26.As fast as the belly dump trucks would empty their loads, a bulldozer spread them out.Meanwhile, more trucks dropped their loads on the southern edge of the red box in the floodplain. Both northern and southern areas were receiving dirt on 3/4/26.
I watched with an incredulous neighbor who had flooded repeatedly, as the steady stream of dump trucks dropped their loads.
Then on Sunday, March 8, I returned. The site was quiet. But I noticed a sizable portion of the original pile on the southern edge of the property was missing.
3.8.26. Sunday. Large Portion of fill had been relocated to area behind camera.3.8.26. Fill from upper right was added to new fill in lower left.
On March 10, Doug Begley, a staff writer for the Houston Chronicle published his expose of the operation.
Photos Taken on 3/12/26
On 3/12/26, I returned and learned what happened to that chunk of the southern pile. The contractors were spreading it out over the rest of the property along with previously deposited new fill straight from FM2100.
Cedar Bayou floodplain fill on 3/12/26. Original pile (right) is now being spread out over property to the north (l).3/12/26. Relocated Cedar Bayou floodplain fill is already higher than fence line. Note height of fill in distance relative to height of trees on left.3/12/26. Looking S toward the original pile.To put the volume of this fill in perspective, the height of that truck in the foreground is 11’3″. The excavator is completely above it, yet below the bulldozer at the top of the frame, which is still below the top of the pile in the upper frame.
Engineering Department Still Hasn’t Complied with FOIA Request
Floodplain regulations generally prohibit placing fill in either the 500- or 100-year floodplain. They also discourage moving fill from one watershed to another.
This operation reportedly began without a permit. To get a permit, the land owner had to submit a hydrologist’s report explaining how the fill would be mitigated.
I have tried without luck to obtain copies of the supposed report and permit for more than two weeks. At first, I was blocked from making a public information request on the Harris County Engineer’s website. By the time I could make the request, a week had elapsed. Now, almost another week has passed. And they haven’t started processing the request yet.
In the meantime, I talked to five county employees via phone or email, none of whom would (or could) send me the alleged permit and study. I also noted many conflicts between their stories as to the supposed dates of the permit, the cease-and-desist letter, engineer’s study, how/where to report violations, etc.
Only one thing is clear. We may never get to the bottom of all this dirt.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/12/26
3117 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.
Median Madness 6: Joie de Volunteering
3/14/26 – Scores of volunteers – young and old – showed up this morning in picture perfect weather for Median Madness 6. After a brief safety moment by Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger and Trees for Kingwood’s Chris Bloch, they posed for a team photo. Then, armed with shears and saws, they experienced the joy people feel from volunteering and helping others – a true helper’s high.
A Sense of Purpose and Satisfaction
They attacked a thicket of vines and protruding branches encroaching on traffic along a two block stretch of Kingwood Drive between Fosters Mill and Sand Creek.
There was a palpable air of satisfaction that comes from service to the community. You could see it in the looks of determination on their faces. You could feel it as they team-tackled gnarly growths of vines. See photos below.
A Heartfelt Thank You
This community spirit is a large part of what makes Kingwood Kingwood – people giving a Saturday morning to make their community a better, safer place to live. Thanks to all who gave their time and effort!
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/14/26
3119 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Kingwood Diversion Ditch Project Delayed Again
3/13/26 – Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) has asked for a 20-month extension on the Kingwood Diversion Ditch Project scheduled to take 24 months. The original period of performance for the contract was from 4/1/24 to 4/1/26. But backup provided to Commissioners Court shows HCFCD doesn’t even expect to give the vendor a notice to proceed until 4/27/26.
The announced reason for the extension request: “…an unforeseen delay in project cost negotiations to remain within budget…”
See Item #148 on the agenda for March 19, 2026 and the explanation sent to commissioners and the EPA (the grantor).
Top Priority or Lowest?
The Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis recommended expanding the Diversion Ditch as the top priority in Kingwood in 2020.
Preliminary engineering on the project began in 2021. But then the Democrats on Commissioner’s Court forced a management change at HCFCD.
The preliminary engineering was supposed to take 330 days, but it took four years instead. Worse, after all that time, it was criticized for not reflecting actual conditions and obvious recommendations. HCFCD blamed the problems on vendor “personnel issues.”
But it took HCFCD another seven months from publication of the preliminary engineering report to the time they officially delivered it to Commissioners Court for formal approval.
Congressman Dan Crenshaw first requested a $1.6 million grant for Diversion Ditch design in 2021. It was approved in the fiscal year 2022 budget by Congress. Now, HCFCD is requesting a two-year extension until December 31, 2027.
From the identification of the need in the Kingwood Area Drainage analysis on 10/20/20 to the projected end date of 12/31/27, 2628 days will elapse (assuming no more delays).
To put that in perspective, the U.S. won World War II in 1348 days.
So, it will take almost twice as long to redesign a channel as it did to win World War II! That takes some real talent! I’m not sure it’s possible to walk a project any slower and not have Commissioners Court notice. To be fair, the Diversion Ditch IS more than three miles long!
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/13/26
3118 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Cedar Bayou Floodplain-Fill Situation Worsening
3/12/26 – According to the Office of the Harris County Engineer, TXDoT’s prime contractor on the FM2100 expansion operation and a subcontractor have been told to refrain from bringing additional fill into the floodplain of Cedar Bayou. Mr. Yancey Scott, PE, CFM, Assistant Director of Permits, said the County Attorney’s Office hand delivered a letter on 3/5/26 notifying them to stop placing fill in the floodplain.
I have not photographed them bringing any more fill into the floodplain since then. However, the situation does appear to be worsening. Someone is spreading the fill out over an area three times larger on the same property. Now, instead of reaching 20-30 feet up over approximately six acres, it’s being spread across 17 acres.
Imagine standing up in full bathtub, then lying down. You will displace more water when lying because your “footprint” increases. It’s the same with the fill.
History of Operation
For months, TXDoT contractors working on the FM2100 expansion project in Huffman were excavating a detention basin above the floodplain in the Luce Bayou watershed. From there, they trucked the dirt to the Cedar Bayou watershed and dumped it in the floodplain, reportedly without a permit. I first captured the dumping on camera on Feb. 5, 2026.
Despite seemingly violating Section 4.07(e) of Harris County’s Floodplain Regulations, the operation had shifted into an even higher gear by Feb. 23, 2026.
On Feb. 25, 2026, Harris County first shut down the operation. According to local residents, the contractor started hauling the dirt to an alternative site in Liberty County.
But by March 4, 2026, I photographed more trucks bringing more fill to the original property in the Cedar Bayou floodplain on Huffman Eastgate Road. This time they spread it out, though, in the northern part of the red box below.
I watched with an incredulous neighbor who had flooded repeatedly, as the steady stream of dump trucks dropped their loads.
Then on Sunday, March 8, I returned. The site was quiet. But I noticed a sizable portion of the original pile on the southern edge of the property was missing.
On March 10, Doug Begley, a staff writer for the Houston Chronicle published his expose of the operation.
Photos Taken on 3/12/26
On 3/12/26, I returned and learned what happened to that chunk of the southern pile. The contractors were spreading it out over the rest of the property along with previously deposited new fill straight from FM2100.
Engineering Department Still Hasn’t Complied with FOIA Request
Floodplain regulations generally prohibit placing fill in either the 500- or 100-year floodplain. They also discourage moving fill from one watershed to another.
This operation reportedly began without a permit. To get a permit, the land owner had to submit a hydrologist’s report explaining how the fill would be mitigated.
I have tried without luck to obtain copies of the supposed report and permit for more than two weeks. At first, I was blocked from making a public information request on the Harris County Engineer’s website. By the time I could make the request, a week had elapsed. Now, almost another week has passed. And they haven’t started processing the request yet.
In the meantime, I talked to five county employees via phone or email, none of whom would (or could) send me the alleged permit and study. I also noted many conflicts between their stories as to the supposed dates of the permit, the cease-and-desist letter, engineer’s study, how/where to report violations, etc.
Only one thing is clear. We may never get to the bottom of all this dirt.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/12/26
3117 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.