3/22/26 – The San Jacinto West Fork has migrated almost a mile closer to flood-prone Scarborough Development land near the giant Hallett Mine.
State Agency Charged with Flood Mitigation Invests in Development of Flood-Prone Land
In 2025, Scarborough Lane Development purchased 5,300+ acres of flood-prone land near the confluence of the San Jacinto West Fork, Spring Creek, Cypress Creek and Turkey Creek from a developer named Ryko. The State of Texas, via the School Land Board, which is part of the Texas General Land Office, reportedly helped Scarborough purchase the land.
Last year, State Rep. Steve Toth said the state invested $140 million in the property. However, subsequent attempts to verify that amount and the nature of any state investment proved fruitless. Both the GLO and State Attorney General refuse to disclose any information about what the developer calls his “partnership” with the state.
The developer is also fighting Mother Nature and the giant Hallett mine across the river, which threatens portions of Scarborough’s property as a result of less than optimal business practices.
Scarborough owns most of the forested section in the center plus more land to the south. Hallett owns or owned virtually all of the sand mines to the east.Dikes of large pond on SE have been breached in two places. River now runs through it.
River Now Almost a Mile Closer to Homes
Because Hallett left only small strips of land between its mine and the river, the river has breached dikes in four places above recently in ponds on the northwest and southeast.
The river now flows through the pond on the southeast instead of around it. That brings the river almost a mile closer to existing homes – and homes that Scarborough hopes to build.
Dumping Sediment Into River
Yesterday, I received texts and pictures from Jody Binnion, who lives next to the Hallett mine, which is now operated by RGI. While attempting to navigate upstream, Binnion noticed tons of dirt that Hallett had dumped into the river, perhaps in an attempt to shore up its dike.
Late last year, TCEQ cited the operation for five violations, which had been ongoing for more than a year.
Photo Courtesy of Jody Binnion, a fisherman who lives near the Hallett Mine.Second photo courtesy of Binnionfrom a second location.From over West Fork (center). Binnion estimated dumped material extended 50 feet into West Fork.He also felt the loose, unconsolidated material would wash away in the first flood, reducing the conveyance of the river and worsening flooding for homes nearby and downstream.Previous sediment has already totally blocked off the West Fork, forcing the river to migrate through the pit on the right, more than a mile closer to existing homes, near where Scarborough wants to build.A small portion of the Hallett Mine, upstream from Lake Houston, the drinking water source for more than two million people.
A Suggestion to Eliminate Conflict of Interest
TCEQ monitors the mine for Nitrate + Nitrite N, total suspended solids, pH, and hazardous metals including Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, Nickel, Selenium, Silver, and Zinc.
I have previously suggested turning such mines into the Montgomery County Lake District. That would make them an asset to surrounding homeowners rather than a liability.
It would also eliminate a huge conflict of interest for the GLO which administers more than $14 billion in flood mitigation funds for the federal government.
In my opinion, the General Land Office should reconsider its investment in the Scarborough development and instead join with Texas Parks and Wildlife in creating another state park. Preserving the surrounding land would reduce flooding, improve water quality, reduce water treatment costs, and improve public health.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/22/26
3127 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/2026/03/DJI_20260321142356_0685_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2026-03-22 18:25:532026-03-23 08:04:12San Jacinto West Fork Migrating Toward Scarborough Land Near Hallett Mine
3/21/26 – Yesterday, the first side panels for the Northpark Drive bridge walls started going up. By today, approximately a third of the northeastern wall was already in place. It’s exciting to see a plan coming together.
The bridge will ultimately consist of three main sections: one ramp at each end, plus the clear span section in the middle over the UnionPacific Railroad tracks and Loop 494. Contractors are working on the eastern ramp first while they also drill supports for the clear span section which will reach approximately 22 feet above the tracks.
Separately, the westbound turn lane onto southbound Russell Palmer was completed yesterday.
That makes paving on the entire Phase I project virtually complete except for areas around the bridge.
The only exceptions: surface lanes across the railroad tracks, the bridge itself (when complete), and some turn lanes onto/off of Loop 494 near the bridge.
And late today, I learned that contractors just received a green light to finish building the surface lanes up to the railroad tracks. That’s huge news! And it’s for both sides of Northpark from both directions!
Side Wall Going Up Quickly
Yesterday, around noon, I drove past Public Storage on Northpark and noticed the first side panel for the ramp to the bridge being hoisted in place. I made a mental note to come back today. And I was shocked – in a positive way – by the progress made in one day. See the pictures below.
Those white strips of concrete that form a U are “leveling pads” for the side panels, which you can see in front of Public Storage.Closer shot shows brackets which will help “anchor” the panels to compacted dirt that fills the area between the walls.Lifting another panel into place. Tongue-in-grove slots in the ends of panels let them interlock and brace each other.Progress by quitting time on Saturday afternoon. Note how some panels are already as high as vehicles.
Ralph De Leon, project manager for the Northpark Project, says this portion of the job usually goes quickly.
Farther west, those two pieces of heavy equipment have already sunk numerous piers for the bridge into the ground. I photographed them constructing this one on Thursday.
Paving Virtually Complete Elsewhere
Friday, 3/20/26, Harper Brothers poured quick-set concrete for the westbound turn lane onto southbound Russell Palmer Road.
Looking west from just east of Russell Palmer. Note fresh concrete in middle.
Now, all we need is the permanent traffic control signals at Russell Palmer.
Lookin east toward the terminus of Phase 1 from the easternmost portion of the bridge.Note new street light already installed in lower right.
It won’t be long now before this portion of the road opens.
3/20/26 – This week, we had more two more examples of flood-mitigation projects that are being studied to death.
Spring Creek Watershed Flood Control Dams on Birch and Walnut Creeks
Kingwood Diversion Ditch
They might not be buried yet, but they might as well be.
Let’s look at each and the implications for flood control.
Birch and Walnut Creeks
The two flood-control projects in the Spring Creek watershed were first studied in 1976 (see page 24) when the land was predominantly forested and could have been purchased for a tiny fraction of what it costs today. No one took action then. The benefit/cost ratio came in close to zero; project costs far outweighed benefits by more than 10:1.
This week, 50 years later, SJRA published another study, suggested by a previous 2020 study. And the new study suggested yet another study. But the study just published took so long – 5 years – that land for the projects sold to developers before SJRA completed the study. Whew! Follow all that?
So, the current study’s authors actually suggested yet another study to see if an unidentified sponsor could buy the property (which isn’t for sale) – while engineers design the dams, which probably won’t qualify for funding.
Why? The current study took so long that the federal government excluded social benefits from Benefit/Cost Ratios (BCRs). But the reported BCRs included social benefits…because the study’s authors hoped the Federal Government might include them again at some point in the future. So much for making studies actionable!
It may be time to put this one out of its misery. SJRA can’t even seem to interest Waller County in helping, even though its own residents would benefit the most.
Sites of proposed flood-control dams in NE Waller County within the Spring Creek Watershed.
Kingwood Diversion Ditch
One third of all the people who died in Harris County during Harvey died along Bens Branch when the Kingwood Diversion Ditch couldn’t divert enough stormwater.
Ben’s Branch and the Kingwood Diversion Ditch operate as one system to drain the western half of Kingwood. Friendswood conceived the Diversion Ditch as a way to take pressure off Ben’s Branch. But over time, upstream development has overwhelmed both.
Back in 2020, HCFCD’s Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis named the Diversion Ditch the most important project in the area. Congressman Dan Crenshaw requested a $1.6 million grant for Diversion Ditch design in 2021 and obtained it.
Then a preliminary engineering review took three years longer than planned and was widely criticized for missing opportunities.
Next, HCFCD took two years to negotiate the price of the design phase which should have finished by now. But it hasn’t even started yet. So yesterday, HCFCD requested a 2-year extension on the grant.
If lucky, we may see the design by 2028 – 11 years after Harvey. Then come the long and arduous tasks of obtaining funding and completing construction. By then, new upstream development will likely have changed design assumptions. And another study may be necessary.
To widen a straight-line ditch, we’ve already spent twice as much time as it took the U.S. to win World War II.
Looking South along the Kingwood Diversion Ditch from Kings Mill
Political Fragmentation Favors Delay, Not Decisiveness
In my opinion, both of these flood-mitigation projects have stalled because the people in charge of them have lost all sense of urgency or can’t see a clear path to completion.
Action is difficult in the highly fragmented world of flood control because it requires coordination among multiple government agencies on the local, county, state and federal levels. It’s much easier to create the appearance of action – with studies.
But the studies by themselves do nothing to reduce flood risk. For those with long memories or PTSD, they at least hold out hope that someday, somehow, something may happen.
In reality, though, these projects have almost a zero chance of getting built.
The study findings are already obsolete – because of inflation, new development, policy changes, and new political leaders with different priorities. So, we just keep studying things to death.
Meanwhile, indecision is a decision with consequences measured downstream. I have four suggestions:
The state should set up river-basin wide flood control districts. We’re all in this together.
Collectively, we need to redesign flood mitigation business practices around prevention, not correction. It’s much easier and exponentially cheaper.
Hold managers to deadlines. Hire people with entrepreneurial experience and a sense of urgency.
Quit studying things to death. If a project won’t happen, admit it and focus on projects with a fighting chance.
I can already hear the critics now. “Let’s study those suggestions!”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/20/2026
3125 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/RJR_4304.jpg?fit=1500%2C1000&ssl=110001500adminadmin2026-03-20 20:44:572026-03-20 20:44:58Studied to Death
San Jacinto West Fork Migrating Toward Scarborough Land Near Hallett Mine
3/22/26 – The San Jacinto West Fork has migrated almost a mile closer to flood-prone Scarborough Development land near the giant Hallett Mine.
State Agency Charged with Flood Mitigation Invests in Development of Flood-Prone Land
In 2025, Scarborough Lane Development purchased 5,300+ acres of flood-prone land near the confluence of the San Jacinto West Fork, Spring Creek, Cypress Creek and Turkey Creek from a developer named Ryko. The State of Texas, via the School Land Board, which is part of the Texas General Land Office, reportedly helped Scarborough purchase the land.
Last year, State Rep. Steve Toth said the state invested $140 million in the property. However, subsequent attempts to verify that amount and the nature of any state investment proved fruitless. Both the GLO and State Attorney General refuse to disclose any information about what the developer calls his “partnership” with the state.
Development of the property has come under fire from the City of Houston, Harris County, Montgomery County Precinct 3, Montgomery County Engineering, and nearby residents. All feared it would make flooding in the area worse.
West Fork Getting Closer to Scarborough
The developer is also fighting Mother Nature and the giant Hallett mine across the river, which threatens portions of Scarborough’s property as a result of less than optimal business practices.
River Now Almost a Mile Closer to Homes
Because Hallett left only small strips of land between its mine and the river, the river has breached dikes in four places above recently in ponds on the northwest and southeast.
The river now flows through the pond on the southeast instead of around it. That brings the river almost a mile closer to existing homes – and homes that Scarborough hopes to build.
Dumping Sediment Into River
Yesterday, I received texts and pictures from Jody Binnion, who lives next to the Hallett mine, which is now operated by RGI. While attempting to navigate upstream, Binnion noticed tons of dirt that Hallett had dumped into the river, perhaps in an attempt to shore up its dike.
Late last year, TCEQ cited the operation for five violations, which had been ongoing for more than a year.
A Suggestion to Eliminate Conflict of Interest
TCEQ monitors the mine for Nitrate + Nitrite N, total suspended solids, pH, and hazardous metals including Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, Nickel, Selenium, Silver, and Zinc.
I have previously suggested turning such mines into the Montgomery County Lake District. That would make them an asset to surrounding homeowners rather than a liability.
It would also eliminate a huge conflict of interest for the GLO which administers more than $14 billion in flood mitigation funds for the federal government.
In my opinion, the General Land Office should reconsider its investment in the Scarborough development and instead join with Texas Parks and Wildlife in creating another state park. Preserving the surrounding land would reduce flooding, improve water quality, reduce water treatment costs, and improve public health.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/22/26
3127 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.
Northpark Bridge Walls Going Up Quickly
3/21/26 – Yesterday, the first side panels for the Northpark Drive bridge walls started going up. By today, approximately a third of the northeastern wall was already in place. It’s exciting to see a plan coming together.
The bridge will ultimately consist of three main sections: one ramp at each end, plus the clear span section in the middle over the UnionPacific Railroad tracks and Loop 494. Contractors are working on the eastern ramp first while they also drill supports for the clear span section which will reach approximately 22 feet above the tracks.
Separately, the westbound turn lane onto southbound Russell Palmer was completed yesterday.
The only exceptions: surface lanes across the railroad tracks, the bridge itself (when complete), and some turn lanes onto/off of Loop 494 near the bridge.
And late today, I learned that contractors just received a green light to finish building the surface lanes up to the railroad tracks. That’s huge news! And it’s for both sides of Northpark from both directions!
Side Wall Going Up Quickly
Yesterday, around noon, I drove past Public Storage on Northpark and noticed the first side panel for the ramp to the bridge being hoisted in place. I made a mental note to come back today. And I was shocked – in a positive way – by the progress made in one day. See the pictures below.
Ralph De Leon, project manager for the Northpark Project, says this portion of the job usually goes quickly.
Paving Virtually Complete Elsewhere
Friday, 3/20/26, Harper Brothers poured quick-set concrete for the westbound turn lane onto southbound Russell Palmer Road.
Now, all we need is the permanent traffic control signals at Russell Palmer.
It won’t be long now before this portion of the road opens.
For More Information
Check the project pages of the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website and the three-week look-ahead schedule.
Crews should soon:
To see plans for the four quadrants of the surface lanes where they cross UPRR tracks and Loop 494, see these construction docs.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/21/26
3126 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Studied to Death
3/20/26 – This week, we had more two more examples of flood-mitigation projects that are being studied to death.
They might not be buried yet, but they might as well be.
Let’s look at each and the implications for flood control.
Birch and Walnut Creeks
The two flood-control projects in the Spring Creek watershed were first studied in 1976 (see page 24) when the land was predominantly forested and could have been purchased for a tiny fraction of what it costs today. No one took action then. The benefit/cost ratio came in close to zero; project costs far outweighed benefits by more than 10:1.
This week, 50 years later, SJRA published another study, suggested by a previous 2020 study. And the new study suggested yet another study. But the study just published took so long – 5 years – that land for the projects sold to developers before SJRA completed the study. Whew! Follow all that?
So, the current study’s authors actually suggested yet another study to see if an unidentified sponsor could buy the property (which isn’t for sale) – while engineers design the dams, which probably won’t qualify for funding.
Why? The current study took so long that the federal government excluded social benefits from Benefit/Cost Ratios (BCRs). But the reported BCRs included social benefits…because the study’s authors hoped the Federal Government might include them again at some point in the future. So much for making studies actionable!
It may be time to put this one out of its misery. SJRA can’t even seem to interest Waller County in helping, even though its own residents would benefit the most.
Kingwood Diversion Ditch
One third of all the people who died in Harris County during Harvey died along Bens Branch when the Kingwood Diversion Ditch couldn’t divert enough stormwater.
Ben’s Branch and the Kingwood Diversion Ditch operate as one system to drain the western half of Kingwood. Friendswood conceived the Diversion Ditch as a way to take pressure off Ben’s Branch. But over time, upstream development has overwhelmed both.
Back in 2020, HCFCD’s Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis named the Diversion Ditch the most important project in the area. Congressman Dan Crenshaw requested a $1.6 million grant for Diversion Ditch design in 2021 and obtained it.
Then a preliminary engineering review took three years longer than planned and was widely criticized for missing opportunities.
Next, HCFCD took two years to negotiate the price of the design phase which should have finished by now. But it hasn’t even started yet. So yesterday, HCFCD requested a 2-year extension on the grant.
If lucky, we may see the design by 2028 – 11 years after Harvey. Then come the long and arduous tasks of obtaining funding and completing construction. By then, new upstream development will likely have changed design assumptions. And another study may be necessary.
To widen a straight-line ditch, we’ve already spent twice as much time as it took the U.S. to win World War II.
Political Fragmentation Favors Delay, Not Decisiveness
In my opinion, both of these flood-mitigation projects have stalled because the people in charge of them have lost all sense of urgency or can’t see a clear path to completion.
Action is difficult in the highly fragmented world of flood control because it requires coordination among multiple government agencies on the local, county, state and federal levels. It’s much easier to create the appearance of action – with studies.
But the studies by themselves do nothing to reduce flood risk. For those with long memories or PTSD, they at least hold out hope that someday, somehow, something may happen.
In reality, though, these projects have almost a zero chance of getting built.
The study findings are already obsolete – because of inflation, new development, policy changes, and new political leaders with different priorities. So, we just keep studying things to death.
Meanwhile, indecision is a decision with consequences measured downstream. I have four suggestions:
I can already hear the critics now. “Let’s study those suggestions!”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/20/2026
3125 Days since Hurricane Harvey