12/29/24 – Several rounds of intense rain in the past week triggered a slew of emails from concerned residents about the need for better construction management practices to control sediment-laden runoff.
Chris Summers, a retired commercial photographer, included pictures of the runoff from the Foster Elementary site in Kingwood’s Trailwood Village. Contractors recently cleared the site for reconstruction of the school. Summer’s photos illustrate the dangers from sediment pollution and the need for better construction management practices.
A Major Source of Sediment Pollution
Construction site runoff is a major source of sediment pollution. Construction typically involves large-scale disturbance of soil, which can significantly increase the amount of sediment carried away by stormwater runoff. This sediment-laden runoff can have serious environmental impacts, especially when it enters local water bodies, such as Lake Houston..
Clearing, excavating and grading disturb soil. Stripping away vegetation makes soil more prone to erosion. So, when it rains, the exposed soil can easily wash away into nearby water systems.
In many cases, vegetation or other stabilization measures (e.g., erosion control blankets, mulching) may not be installed until later stages of construction, leaving the site vulnerable to sediment loss in the meantime.
Construction sites are most vulnerable during heavy rainfalls, which can lead to significant runoff, especially from areas without adequate sediment-control measures.
In many cases, construction schedules are not aligned with seasonal weather patterns, so sites may be left exposed during periods of heavy rain. This can lead to water-quality degradation, increased costs for water treatment, higher water bills, and infrastructure damage.
Excessive sediment can clog stormwater systems, leading to flooding and costly repairs.
Regulations and Best Management Practices
Due to the significant environmental impact of construction-site runoff, many countries and regions have strict regulations and Best Management Practices (BMPs) to control it. In the U.S., for example, the Clean Water Act requires construction sites to control stormwater discharges through permits such as the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. This often includes implementing sediment control measures like silt fences, sediment basins, and erosion control methods.
Rainfall and Soil Saturation in Last Week
The HCFCD gage at West Lake Houston Parkway and the San Jacinto West Fork shows that the area near Foster Elementary received about 2 inches of rain in the last few days.
That made the soil go from “wet” to “saturated.”
And that radically increased runoff.
Photos of Foster Elementary Construction Site After Heavy Rains
Summers’ photos show the need for better construction management practices to control sediment-laden runoff.
Silty water streamed out of the site after an intense rain.
The flow was steady and strong.
Water exited the site in multiple places and filled half the street.
Inlets had no protection. (See #8 below).
The site had large areas of disturbed and unprotected soil.
Runoff left inches of soil in the street. Imagine what the storm sewer looked like…
…especially since storm-sewer inlets were unprotected by any of the usual methods. (Again, see #8 below.)
Ways to Reduce Sediment-Laden Runoff
Here are several common and effective methods used to minimize silt-laden runoff. They represent best construction management practices.
1. Silt Fencing intercepts and slows down water flow, allowing sediment to settle before water flows off the construction site. It’s normally installed around the perimeter.
2. Sediment Basins & Traps capture sediment from runoff until it settles out of suspension.
3. Erosion Control Mats or Blankets stabilize disturbed soil and prevent erosion. They are most often used during the early stages of construction.
4. Mulching with organic materials – such as straw, hay, or wood chips – helps to protect soil while promoting vegetation growth. They are most effective when applied immediately after soil is disturbed.
5. Planting Vegetative Cover, such as fast-growing grass, can also help stabilize soil and reduce runoff. Plant roots bind the soil, making it less susceptible to erosion. Vegetation also slows down the flow of water, reducing the energy available to carry away sediment.
6. Sediment Control Logs (Wattles) are tubular barriers filled with straw or other materials. When placed along the contours of the construction site, they capture sediment before it leaves the site.
7. Stormwater Diversion Channels direct runoff to sediment-control ponds or a controlled discharge areas.
8. Stormwater-Inlet Protection, such as sandbags, can be placed around stormwater inlets to capture sediment before it enters the storm drainage system.
9. Shallow temporary or Permanent Vegetative Swales collect runoff and allow it to slowly infiltrate into the soil while trapping sediment in the vegetation and soil.
10. Construction Entrance/Exit Stabilization with gravel minimizes the tracking of mud onto roads from construction vehicles. But the gravel must be regularly maintained.
11. Grading can help control water flow and minimize erosion by directing water flow away from disturbed areas towards sediment control features.
12. Geotextiles can also provide erosion control and soil stabilization.
Need for Regular Inspections
Regular inspections and maintenance ensure that all erosion and sediment control measures are installed functioning properly.
Compare the measures in this list to the photos above. With the exception of gravel at the entrance, Summers’ photos show that few of these measures appeared to be implemented at the Foster construction site.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/29/24 with photos by Chris Summers
2679 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/2024/12/2024-079-020-storm-runoff.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1450800adminadmin2024-12-29 14:06:572024-12-29 18:06:28Better Construction Management Practices Could Reduce Silt-Laden Runoff
Meritage has finished clearing all of its 40 acres between Pinehurst and Kings River. The property is just east of West Lake Houston Parkway and borders Kings Park Way, Texas Laurel Trail, and Pinehurst Trail Drive. The company plans to build 210 homes on the site in two phases.
Status of Phases 1 and 2
Meritage finished clearing the first 20 acres for Phase One west of Pinehurst Trail Drive in March this year. The company has already installed a large stormwater detention basin that occupies about a quarter of the site. But no homes have been built on the site yet.
Phase One in foreground looking east toward Lake Houston. Note large detention basin on right which already has grass growing around it to protect the slopes from erosion.
For the 20 acres east of Pinehurst Trail Drive, Meritage appears to be finished cutting trees. But they have yet to haul them all away. And Meritage has not yet done any drainage work for the second 20 acres. See below.
Looking east over Pinehurst Trail Drive. Contractors have cleared Phase 2, but trees have not all been hauled away yet.
However, no streets or homes have been constructed on either phase yet. Meritage’s website shows they build homes similar in size, look and price points to those found in surrounding neighborhoods.
So far, Meritage has managed to avoid any drainage fiascos similar to those associated with a nearby Trammell Crow apartment development.
But a drainage analysis by R.G. Miller Engineers for Meritage raised many questions about the sufficiency of the plans. The analysis:
Omitted data
Contained misstatements
Left out related reports
Included alarming assumptions.
Looking west toward West Lake Houston Parkway (out of sight at top of frame). Note pond in foreground.
Say Goodbye to the Wetlands
Parts of both phases of this development contained wetlands before Meritage cleared and graded the land.
The saying in the engineering business is, “Water has a memory.” It tends to go where it has gone before. I’m sure Meritage will do a good job grading and compacting the land. But building over wetlands usually entails environmental, structural and economic risks.
The environmental risks include:
Loss of Biodiversity
Water-Quality Degradation
Increased Flood Risk
Carbon Storage Loss
Erosion and sedimentation
Structural risks include:
Foundation Instability
Water Intrusion and Damage from High Water Tables and Mold Growth
Drainage Issues such as Water Pooling and Flooding Around Homes.
Homes built over wetlands also often have higher insurance costs due to these issues, which may also cause property value to decline over time.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241221-DJI_20241221112339_0571_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2024-12-23 13:39:102024-12-23 14:06:41Meritage Finishes Clearing 40 Acres between Pinehurst and Kings River
12/22/24 – The West Lake Houston Parkway development between Kings Park Way and Upper Lake Drive is finally nearing completion, more than 2.5 years after land clearing began. Construction of the development has been plagued by stormwater control issues.
Property Ultimately Owned by Trammell Crow
The property has been developed in two phases by Kingwood Residences HTX and HTX II LLC. Both are limited liability companies owned by High Street Residential. High Street is a wholly owned operating subsidiary of Trammell Crow Company in Dallas, the nation’s #1-ranked commercial developer.
Stormwater Control Issues
The developer, its subsidiaries and contractor ran into trouble this January when they started clearing land for Phase 2 without silt fences in place. Sediment-laden runoff began pouring into the streets on less than a half inch of rain, even as a detention basin built as part of phase 1 remained empty.
Before the end of January, Harris County Engineering had cited the developer for stormwater violations. But a 1.44 inch rain in early February, flooded streets and storm sewers again with more sediment laden runoff.
In mid-February, contractors were caught on camera, still pumping silty stormwater into the surrounding neighborhood.
That persisted at least through mid-April, as contractors tried belatedly to expand their stormwater-detention basin and channel stormwater into it.
Discounting Leases
Since then, Phase 1 completed and started renting apartments. Phase 2 is still under construction but almost done.
Not following best management practices for stormwater, cost the developer time, money and reputation.
One detention basin serves both phases, but was built in two stages. Note how walls on the older top part are already failing.Most of the traffic in Phase 2 seems to be contractors doing finish work. Framing is complete. Phase 2 in foreground. Phase 1 at top of frame is already leasing.
For More Information
For a history of the development, see these posts:
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/2024/12/20241221-DJI_20241221112028_0563_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2024-12-22 18:35:552024-12-22 18:45:16West Lake Houston Parkway Development Almost Finished
Better Construction Management Practices Could Reduce Silt-Laden Runoff
12/29/24 – Several rounds of intense rain in the past week triggered a slew of emails from concerned residents about the need for better construction management practices to control sediment-laden runoff.
Chris Summers, a retired commercial photographer, included pictures of the runoff from the Foster Elementary site in Kingwood’s Trailwood Village. Contractors recently cleared the site for reconstruction of the school. Summer’s photos illustrate the dangers from sediment pollution and the need for better construction management practices.
A Major Source of Sediment Pollution
Construction site runoff is a major source of sediment pollution. Construction typically involves large-scale disturbance of soil, which can significantly increase the amount of sediment carried away by stormwater runoff. This sediment-laden runoff can have serious environmental impacts, especially when it enters local water bodies, such as Lake Houston..
Clearing, excavating and grading disturb soil. Stripping away vegetation makes soil more prone to erosion. So, when it rains, the exposed soil can easily wash away into nearby water systems.
In many cases, vegetation or other stabilization measures (e.g., erosion control blankets, mulching) may not be installed until later stages of construction, leaving the site vulnerable to sediment loss in the meantime.
Construction sites are most vulnerable during heavy rainfalls, which can lead to significant runoff, especially from areas without adequate sediment-control measures.
In many cases, construction schedules are not aligned with seasonal weather patterns, so sites may be left exposed during periods of heavy rain. This can lead to water-quality degradation, increased costs for water treatment, higher water bills, and infrastructure damage.
Regulations and Best Management Practices
Due to the significant environmental impact of construction-site runoff, many countries and regions have strict regulations and Best Management Practices (BMPs) to control it. In the U.S., for example, the Clean Water Act requires construction sites to control stormwater discharges through permits such as the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. This often includes implementing sediment control measures like silt fences, sediment basins, and erosion control methods.
Rainfall and Soil Saturation in Last Week
The HCFCD gage at West Lake Houston Parkway and the San Jacinto West Fork shows that the area near Foster Elementary received about 2 inches of rain in the last few days.
That made the soil go from “wet” to “saturated.”
And that radically increased runoff.
Photos of Foster Elementary Construction Site After Heavy Rains
Summers’ photos show the need for better construction management practices to control sediment-laden runoff.
Silty water streamed out of the site after an intense rain.
The flow was steady and strong.
Water exited the site in multiple places and filled half the street.
Inlets had no protection. (See #8 below).
The site had large areas of disturbed and unprotected soil.
Runoff left inches of soil in the street. Imagine what the storm sewer looked like…
…especially since storm-sewer inlets were unprotected by any of the usual methods. (Again, see #8 below.)
Ways to Reduce Sediment-Laden Runoff
Here are several common and effective methods used to minimize silt-laden runoff. They represent best construction management practices.
1. Silt Fencing intercepts and slows down water flow, allowing sediment to settle before water flows off the construction site. It’s normally installed around the perimeter.
2. Sediment Basins & Traps capture sediment from runoff until it settles out of suspension.
3. Erosion Control Mats or Blankets stabilize disturbed soil and prevent erosion. They are most often used during the early stages of construction.
4. Mulching with organic materials – such as straw, hay, or wood chips – helps to protect soil while promoting vegetation growth. They are most effective when applied immediately after soil is disturbed.
5. Planting Vegetative Cover, such as fast-growing grass, can also help stabilize soil and reduce runoff. Plant roots bind the soil, making it less susceptible to erosion. Vegetation also slows down the flow of water, reducing the energy available to carry away sediment.
6. Sediment Control Logs (Wattles) are tubular barriers filled with straw or other materials. When placed along the contours of the construction site, they capture sediment before it leaves the site.
7. Stormwater Diversion Channels direct runoff to sediment-control ponds or a controlled discharge areas.
8. Stormwater-Inlet Protection, such as sandbags, can be placed around stormwater inlets to capture sediment before it enters the storm drainage system.
9. Shallow temporary or Permanent Vegetative Swales collect runoff and allow it to slowly infiltrate into the soil while trapping sediment in the vegetation and soil.
10. Construction Entrance/Exit Stabilization with gravel minimizes the tracking of mud onto roads from construction vehicles. But the gravel must be regularly maintained.
11. Grading can help control water flow and minimize erosion by directing water flow away from disturbed areas towards sediment control features.
12. Geotextiles can also provide erosion control and soil stabilization.
Need for Regular Inspections
Regular inspections and maintenance ensure that all erosion and sediment control measures are installed functioning properly.
Compare the measures in this list to the photos above. With the exception of gravel at the entrance, Summers’ photos show that few of these measures appeared to be implemented at the Foster construction site.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/29/24 with photos by Chris Summers
2679 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.
Meritage Finishes Clearing 40 Acres between Pinehurst and Kings River
Meritage has finished clearing all of its 40 acres between Pinehurst and Kings River. The property is just east of West Lake Houston Parkway and borders Kings Park Way, Texas Laurel Trail, and Pinehurst Trail Drive. The company plans to build 210 homes on the site in two phases.
Status of Phases 1 and 2
Meritage finished clearing the first 20 acres for Phase One west of Pinehurst Trail Drive in March this year. The company has already installed a large stormwater detention basin that occupies about a quarter of the site. But no homes have been built on the site yet.
For the 20 acres east of Pinehurst Trail Drive, Meritage appears to be finished cutting trees. But they have yet to haul them all away. And Meritage has not yet done any drainage work for the second 20 acres. See below.
However, no streets or homes have been constructed on either phase yet. Meritage’s website shows they build homes similar in size, look and price points to those found in surrounding neighborhoods.
So far, Meritage has managed to avoid any drainage fiascos similar to those associated with a nearby Trammell Crow apartment development.
But a drainage analysis by R.G. Miller Engineers for Meritage raised many questions about the sufficiency of the plans. The analysis:
Say Goodbye to the Wetlands
Parts of both phases of this development contained wetlands before Meritage cleared and graded the land.
The saying in the engineering business is, “Water has a memory.” It tends to go where it has gone before. I’m sure Meritage will do a good job grading and compacting the land. But building over wetlands usually entails environmental, structural and economic risks.
The environmental risks include:
Structural risks include:
Homes built over wetlands also often have higher insurance costs due to these issues, which may also cause property value to decline over time.
For More Information
Meritage builds homes in 11 states. Their website also shows they build homes in 34 communities in the Houston area alone. The posts below contain photos of and background materials about the development.
10/27/24 – Concerns About Fill Height in New Atascocita Development
3/11/24 – New Kings River Development Gets a Buzz Cut
2/13/24 – Meritage Begins Clearing 40 Acres for 210 Homes, Many Over Wetlands
2/26/24 – New Kings River Development Drainage Analysis, Plans Raise Questions
Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/23/24
2673 Days since Hurricane Harvey
West Lake Houston Parkway Development Almost Finished
12/22/24 – The West Lake Houston Parkway development between Kings Park Way and Upper Lake Drive is finally nearing completion, more than 2.5 years after land clearing began. Construction of the development has been plagued by stormwater control issues.
Property Ultimately Owned by Trammell Crow
The property has been developed in two phases by Kingwood Residences HTX and HTX II LLC. Both are limited liability companies owned by High Street Residential. High Street is a wholly owned operating subsidiary of Trammell Crow Company in Dallas, the nation’s #1-ranked commercial developer.
Stormwater Control Issues
The developer, its subsidiaries and contractor ran into trouble this January when they started clearing land for Phase 2 without silt fences in place. Sediment-laden runoff began pouring into the streets on less than a half inch of rain, even as a detention basin built as part of phase 1 remained empty.
Before the end of January, Harris County Engineering had cited the developer for stormwater violations. But a 1.44 inch rain in early February, flooded streets and storm sewers again with more sediment laden runoff.
In mid-February, contractors were caught on camera, still pumping silty stormwater into the surrounding neighborhood.
That persisted at least through mid-April, as contractors tried belatedly to expand their stormwater-detention basin and channel stormwater into it.
Discounting Leases
Since then, Phase 1 completed and started renting apartments. Phase 2 is still under construction but almost done.
Not following best management practices for stormwater, cost the developer time, money and reputation.
Today, in a reportedly tight housing market, they are deeply discounting leases. They offer:
Pictures Taken on 12/21/24
The new development is now called the Residences at Kingwood.
For More Information
For a history of the development, see these posts:
4/12/24 – Trammell Crow Contractors Still Pumping Silty Stormwater into Street
3/18/24 – Trammell Crow Contractors Expanding Stormwater Detention Basin
2/18/24 – Trammell Crow Contractor Pumped Silty Stormwater into Street…Again
2/3/24 – WLHP Developer Still Flooding Neighborhood
1/31/24 – After Quitting Time, Contractor Pumps Silty Stormwater into Street
1/29/24 – Developer on WLHP Cited for Stormwater Violations
1/14/24 – Developer Clearing Land without Normal Safeguards
1/3/223 – 40 Apartments, 49 Garden Homes Going Up on West Lake Houston Parkway
12/03/22 – Mitigation for Clearcutting: Two Ways It Could Work Cost Effectively
6/30/22 – June Construction Update: Six Lake-Houston-Area Projects
5/21/22 – 19.7 Acres Cleared on West Lake Houston Parkway
Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/22/24
2672 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.