12/15/24 – Houston District E City Council Member Fred Flickinger issued a newsletter on 12/11/24. It contains updates on Lake Houston dredging and additional floodgates for the Lake Houston Dam.
Dredging Details
According to Flickinger, the City’s dredging contractor will begin south of the West Fork-Mouth Bar this week. DRC will remove approximately 800,000 cubic yards of silt and sediment.
“The removal will take two years.”
District E Council Member Fred Flickinger
DRC will use a combination of mechanical and hydraulic dredging.
FEMA is providing funds the additional dredging in this area. The funds came from tireless efforts in protesting the initial volume that FEMA approved for dredging back in 2019. Congressman Dan Crenshaw, previous Council Member Dave Martin, and former Chief Recovery Officer Stephen Costello protested FEMA’s ruling tirelessly.
Photo taken December 8 of DRC/Callan Marine Dredge anchored off Royal Shores as it prepares for new dredging program.
Council Member Martin strongly disagreed with the USACE’s original four-page tabletop study. He continued to push for the volume he knew the Lake Houston Area deserved.
Said Flickinger, “We are excited to see this additional dredging finally get going. We are working to find funding for continued dredging throughout Lake Houston and its tributaries.”
Floodgates Timeline
Phase II for the Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvement Project is underway. Phase II includes the final design engineering and construction of eleven new floodgates. They will be built in the existing embankment on the east side of the Lake Houston Dam Spillway.
New gates will go in the sunlit area in the embankment to the right of the existing gates and channel.
Building the new gate structure in the east embankment removes the high-construction risk of modifying the existing gate structure or spillway. The old plan, which involved shaving down the existing spillway and adding crest gates was abandoned when the City could not find bidders willing to assume the risk.
The new plan also allows continued use of the existing gate structure during construction.
Each gate will be 20 ft x 20 ft and release approximately 7,100 cubic feet of water per second (cfs) per gate when fully open. The combined total water release of all 11 gates will be approximately 79,000 cfs.
79,000 CFS equals the volume of water released each second from Lake Conroe by the SJRA during the peak of Hurricane Harvey.
The current timeline is to have the final design and construction plans completed by December 2025.
The City will bid and award the contract for construction in 2026.
Finally construction will begin by Q4 2026 or Q1 2027, almost ten years after the storm that made people realize the need for the project.
The existing Lake Houston floodgates have one-fifteenth of Lake Conroe’s release capacity. That makes any kind of coordinated release strategy virtually impossible. It also means that people both up- and downstream may get slammed with higher floods than if the City had a meaningful pre-release capability.
According to Flickinger, the District E office continues to sit in on bi-weekly coordination meetings for this project.
12/14/24 – Contractors yesterday were busily preparing for major changes at both ends of the Northpark Drive expansion project. Weather permitting, they should take place on December 19th and 20th.
On the west end, they were prepping for a concrete pour between US59 and Loop 494 on the north side of Northpark.
On the east end, they were beginning to pave the middle between Russell Palmer Road and G&S Tire and Auto near the Kingwood Diversion Ditch in preparation for a major lane switch.
The project will ultimately accommodate increased traffic while providing an all-weather evacuation route for Kingwood residents.
West End of Northpark
The pictures below taken on 12/13/24 show what’s happening where.
Looking west at Northpark Drive from over US59. Note major changes to left side of road. Reverse angle looking west toward US59from over Loop 494
A crew will begin paving this area on 12/20/2024 in the early morning, according to the schedule posted on the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority’s website.
Why Use Tar as a Base Layer
According to ChatGPT, contractors often put tar (or more specifically, a liquid asphalt or bituminous layer) over dirt before pouring concrete or laying asphalt. There are several important reasons:
1. Moisture Barrier – Tar acts as a barrier to prevent moisture from the soil below from seeping into the concrete or asphalt layer above. Excess moisture can weaken the concrete over time, cause cracking.
2. Dust Control – Applying a tar layer helps control dust from the underlying dirt or aggregate base. This ensures a cleaner, more stable surface for the concrete or asphalt to adhere to.
3. Adhesion Enhancement – Tar is often used as a “tack coat” to create a bond between the road base and the concrete or asphalt layer. This helps prevent separation over time, which could lead to road failure.
4. Stabilization – Tar helps stabilize the soil or aggregate base beneath the road. This provides a consistent and uniform surface for pouring concrete, reducing the likelihood of uneven settlement.
5. Sealing the Base – Tar seals small cracks and voids in the base material, preventing water infiltration. Water infiltration can erode the base, leading to instability and potential road damage.
6. Improved Longevity – By addressing the issues of moisture, dust, and adhesion, the tar layer contributes to the overall durability and lifespan of the road.
Using tar as a base layer is especially common in areas where the soil composition or environmental conditions might otherwise compromise the road’s structural integrity.
East End – Russell Palmer to G&S Tire and Auto
I also took these pictures on 12/13/24. They show work at the eastern end of the Phase One project. This work will pave the way for a major traffic switch on December 19th.
Looking East toward Diversion Ditch from Over Russell Palmer IntersectionLooking west from eastern end of Phase One of Northpark expansion.Existing eastbound lanes (left) will soon be closed off.
On the night of Thursday December 19, 2024, contractors will switch traffic eastbound Northpark traffic from just east of Kings Mill to the area shown in the photo immediately above. Traffic will detour into the middle. They will then close off the existing eastbound lanes through that same stretch of Northpark in preparation for demolition and repaving.
Loop 494 Traffic Switch
That same night, December 19, 2024, contractors will move all traffic onto the new concrete paving on Loop 494. See below.
Looking south on Loop 494 across Northpark Drive and recently poured concrete.
They will then close off the existing lanes (on the left above) for demolition and repaving.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241213-DJI_20241213120604_0397_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2024-12-14 17:05:102024-12-14 17:30:22Major Changes Coming Soon At Both Ends of Northpark Expansion Project
12/13/24 – Proposed new Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Best Management Practices (BMPs) for sand mines ignore what miners are supposed to do in the case of pit captures. “Pit capture” happens when a river breaks through the dikes of a sand mine. It can have serious consequences including, but not limited to:
Increased erosion and river instability
Altered hydrology
Water quality degradation
Habitat loss and ecosystem disruption
Infrastructure risks
Channel realignment
Economic impacts (cost of mitigation)
Identifying Pit-Capture Pros and Cons
In some circumstances, pit capture can also produce benefits. The balance between benefits and risks depends on the specific geomorphological and ecological context of the river and the sand mine pit. To maximize benefits while mitigating risks, scientists recommend:
Performing a hydrological and ecological assessment before and after capture.
Using adaptive management strategies to guide the development of the captured pit.
Integrating the site into regional plans for flood control, habitat creation, or recreation.
However, the new TCEQ sand mine BMPs mention no such studies, despite the fact that at least six pits were captured on the East and West Forks of the San Jacinto during floods this year. Plus, consider this. The City is getting ready to spend another $34 million to dredge another million cubic yards of sand from the confluence of the two forks.
Instead, the new TCEQ BMPs emphasize concepts under headings such as “Be a Good Neighbor,” “Practice Good Housekeeping,” and “Select Appropriate Equipment.” This is stuff most guys learned in a middle school shop class. Under “Good Housekeeping,” one recommendation urges miners to adequately maintain sanitary facilities. But they forgot the “Wash hands after using a port-a-potty” requirement.
My overwhelming impression after reading the new BMPs was a yawn. Why bother?
The new BMPs are more notable for what they don’t include than what they do include.
And they don’t include anything about the B-52 sized elephant in the broom closet – pit capture.
River now cuts through Hallett Pit on West Fork and has abandoned its original channel (right).Pit containing wastewater now has a more direct route to river when it breaches. Note repair by maintenance road.The pit above is just one of many at the Hallett West Fork Mine which spans several square miles.
I discovered the pit capture above in June of this year. It likely occurred in the May flood. And Hallett has done nothing to mitigate it since.
Perhaps they and the TCEQ feel the benefits outweigh the consequences. But of course, they aren’t footing the $34 million dredging bill.
In August of this year, TCEQ issued a report on another pit capture slightly downstream from here. It didn’t mention this pit even though it was open at the time and multiple people filed complaints. Nor did it mention the term “pit capture.” And the report made several other mistakes. For instance, Hallett claimed the expert witness TCEQ identified works for them, the but the TCEQ listed the employee as working for a Hallett competitor. No wonder the Texas Sunset Commission called TCEQ a reluctant regulator.
Leave a Public Comment
So what’s a mere citizen who enjoys clean water to do?
The TCEQ is soliciting public comment on their new BMPs for sand mines. I know what my comment will be about. If you wish to leave a public comment:
Feedback or comment must be provided to Jess Robinson, MC 175, Office of Legal Services, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087. Comments may also be submitted electronically. To be considered for this project, input must be received by 11:59 p.m. on January 24, 2025, and should reference “APO BMP List Proposal.”
Flickinger Issues Dredging, Floodgates Updates
12/15/24 – Houston District E City Council Member Fred Flickinger issued a newsletter on 12/11/24. It contains updates on Lake Houston dredging and additional floodgates for the Lake Houston Dam.
Dredging Details
According to Flickinger, the City’s dredging contractor will begin south of the West Fork-Mouth Bar this week. DRC will remove approximately 800,000 cubic yards of silt and sediment.
DRC will use a combination of mechanical and hydraulic dredging.
FEMA is providing funds the additional dredging in this area. The funds came from tireless efforts in protesting the initial volume that FEMA approved for dredging back in 2019. Congressman Dan Crenshaw, previous Council Member Dave Martin, and former Chief Recovery Officer Stephen Costello protested FEMA’s ruling tirelessly.
In August 2020, FEMA, through their technical consultant at the US Army Corps of Engineers, reversed itself. FEMA concurred with the City’s ninety-four-page technical report.
Council Member Martin strongly disagreed with the USACE’s original four-page tabletop study. He continued to push for the volume he knew the Lake Houston Area deserved.
Said Flickinger, “We are excited to see this additional dredging finally get going. We are working to find funding for continued dredging throughout Lake Houston and its tributaries.”
Floodgates Timeline
Phase II for the Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvement Project is underway. Phase II includes the final design engineering and construction of eleven new floodgates. They will be built in the existing embankment on the east side of the Lake Houston Dam Spillway.
Building the new gate structure in the east embankment removes the high-construction risk of modifying the existing gate structure or spillway. The old plan, which involved shaving down the existing spillway and adding crest gates was abandoned when the City could not find bidders willing to assume the risk.
The new plan also allows continued use of the existing gate structure during construction.
Each gate will be 20 ft x 20 ft and release approximately 7,100 cubic feet of water per second (cfs) per gate when fully open. The combined total water release of all 11 gates will be approximately 79,000 cfs.
The current timeline is to have the final design and construction plans completed by December 2025.
The City will bid and award the contract for construction in 2026.
Finally construction will begin by Q4 2026 or Q1 2027, almost ten years after the storm that made people realize the need for the project.
The existing Lake Houston floodgates have one-fifteenth of Lake Conroe’s release capacity. That makes any kind of coordinated release strategy virtually impossible. It also means that people both up- and downstream may get slammed with higher floods than if the City had a meaningful pre-release capability.
According to Flickinger, the District E office continues to sit in on bi-weekly coordination meetings for this project.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/15/25
2665 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Major Changes Coming Soon At Both Ends of Northpark Expansion Project
12/14/24 – Contractors yesterday were busily preparing for major changes at both ends of the Northpark Drive expansion project. Weather permitting, they should take place on December 19th and 20th.
The project will ultimately accommodate increased traffic while providing an all-weather evacuation route for Kingwood residents.
West End of Northpark
The pictures below taken on 12/13/24 show what’s happening where.
A crew will begin paving this area on 12/20/2024 in the early morning, according to the schedule posted on the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority’s website.
Why Use Tar as a Base Layer
According to ChatGPT, contractors often put tar (or more specifically, a liquid asphalt or bituminous layer) over dirt before pouring concrete or laying asphalt. There are several important reasons:
1. Moisture Barrier – Tar acts as a barrier to prevent moisture from the soil below from seeping into the concrete or asphalt layer above. Excess moisture can weaken the concrete over time, cause cracking.
2. Dust Control – Applying a tar layer helps control dust from the underlying dirt or aggregate base. This ensures a cleaner, more stable surface for the concrete or asphalt to adhere to.
3. Adhesion Enhancement – Tar is often used as a “tack coat” to create a bond between the road base and the concrete or asphalt layer. This helps prevent separation over time, which could lead to road failure.
4. Stabilization – Tar helps stabilize the soil or aggregate base beneath the road. This provides a consistent and uniform surface for pouring concrete, reducing the likelihood of uneven settlement.
5. Sealing the Base – Tar seals small cracks and voids in the base material, preventing water infiltration. Water infiltration can erode the base, leading to instability and potential road damage.
6. Improved Longevity – By addressing the issues of moisture, dust, and adhesion, the tar layer contributes to the overall durability and lifespan of the road.
Using tar as a base layer is especially common in areas where the soil composition or environmental conditions might otherwise compromise the road’s structural integrity.
East End – Russell Palmer to G&S Tire and Auto
I also took these pictures on 12/13/24. They show work at the eastern end of the Phase One project. This work will pave the way for a major traffic switch on December 19th.
On the night of Thursday December 19, 2024, contractors will switch traffic eastbound Northpark traffic from just east of Kings Mill to the area shown in the photo immediately above. Traffic will detour into the middle. They will then close off the existing eastbound lanes through that same stretch of Northpark in preparation for demolition and repaving.
Loop 494 Traffic Switch
That same night, December 19, 2024, contractors will move all traffic onto the new concrete paving on Loop 494. See below.
They will then close off the existing lanes (on the left above) for demolition and repaving.
See the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority web page for Phase One of the Northpark Expansion Project for additional upcoming work.
For a Project History
To learn more about the project history and its purpose, consult these ReduceFlooding.com posts:
Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/14/24
2664 Days since Hurricane Harvey
New TCEQ Sand Mining BMPs Ignore Pit Captures
12/13/24 – Proposed new Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Best Management Practices (BMPs) for sand mines ignore what miners are supposed to do in the case of pit captures. “Pit capture” happens when a river breaks through the dikes of a sand mine. It can have serious consequences including, but not limited to:
Identifying Pit-Capture Pros and Cons
In some circumstances, pit capture can also produce benefits. The balance between benefits and risks depends on the specific geomorphological and ecological context of the river and the sand mine pit. To maximize benefits while mitigating risks, scientists recommend:
However, the new TCEQ sand mine BMPs mention no such studies, despite the fact that at least six pits were captured on the East and West Forks of the San Jacinto during floods this year. Plus, consider this. The City is getting ready to spend another $34 million to dredge another million cubic yards of sand from the confluence of the two forks.
Instead, the new TCEQ BMPs emphasize concepts under headings such as “Be a Good Neighbor,” “Practice Good Housekeeping,” and “Select Appropriate Equipment.” This is stuff most guys learned in a middle school shop class. Under “Good Housekeeping,” one recommendation urges miners to adequately maintain sanitary facilities. But they forgot the “Wash hands after using a port-a-potty” requirement.
My overwhelming impression after reading the new BMPs was a yawn. Why bother?
And they don’t include anything about the B-52 sized elephant in the broom closet – pit capture.
I discovered the pit capture above in June of this year. It likely occurred in the May flood. And Hallett has done nothing to mitigate it since.
Perhaps they and the TCEQ feel the benefits outweigh the consequences. But of course, they aren’t footing the $34 million dredging bill.
In August of this year, TCEQ issued a report on another pit capture slightly downstream from here. It didn’t mention this pit even though it was open at the time and multiple people filed complaints. Nor did it mention the term “pit capture.” And the report made several other mistakes. For instance, Hallett claimed the expert witness TCEQ identified works for them, the but the TCEQ listed the employee as working for a Hallett competitor. No wonder the Texas Sunset Commission called TCEQ a reluctant regulator.
Leave a Public Comment
So what’s a mere citizen who enjoys clean water to do?
The TCEQ is soliciting public comment on their new BMPs for sand mines. I know what my comment will be about. If you wish to leave a public comment:
Feedback or comment must be provided to Jess Robinson, MC 175, Office of Legal Services, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087. Comments may also be submitted electronically. To be considered for this project, input must be received by 11:59 p.m. on January 24, 2025, and should reference “APO BMP List Proposal.”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/13/24
2663 Days since Hurricane Harvey