U.S. Representative Dan Crenshaw helped secure another $3.2 million dollars for two crucial Kingwood flood-mitigation projects. The money is part of two EPA grants, each for $1.6 million. And they will cover final engineering for the Taylor Gully/Woodridge Village and Kingwood Diversion Ditch flood-mitigation projects.
U.S. Representative Dan Crenshaw addressing Kingwood Townhall Meeting on October 8, 2024.
80:20 Matching Grants from EPA
The EPA will pay 80% of each project’s costs and HCFCD will pay the remaining 20% ($400,000 each), according to transmittals to Harris County Commissioners Court for the 10/28/24 meeting.
Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) is asking Commissioners to approve acceptance of the grants, as they obligate the county to spend $800,000 from the 2018 Flood Bond.
Four years ago this week, the Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis identified these two projects as the two most important in the Kingwood Area. The projects will increase conveyance and reduce floodplains. In the meantime, HCFCD completed preliminary engineering plans on each project.
Projects’ Scope, Goals
Anticipated deliverables for both projects include final engineering plans and supporting documents for hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) analyses.
The scope includes identification of proposed alternatives and recommendation of one for final design, based on a detailed alternative analysis.
The EPA says the plans should lead to:
Conveyance improvements
Budget refinements for future funding assistance requests
Reduction in floodplain impacts during severe weather events
Improved resilience.
Anticipated Taylor Gully Benefits
HCFCD expects the Taylor Gully improvements will reduce riverine flood risk for the residents of Elm Grove, Mills Branch, North Kingwood Forest and Woodstream Village. It could reduce the 100-year floodplain by 116 acres, remove 276 structures from the floodplain, and lower floodwaters for structures still in the floodplain.
Anticipated Diversion Ditch Benefits
HCFCD expects the project will benefit structures in the vicinity of Bens Branch with additional reduction in street flooding. The Flood Control District also expects that this project will reduce the 100-year floodplain by 223 acres, remove up to 69 structures from the floodplain, and lower flood levels for structures still in the floodplain.
The alternative to not applying for grant funding? Flood risks will remain in place or the project will need to be funded locally.
Supporting documents do not address deadlines, which could come into play here unless HCFCD makes changes in other grant applications.
The Woodridge Village project includes the creation of two detention basins to reduce floodwater entering Taylor Gully.
However, the Woodridge detention basins are currently part of a disaster relief (DR) application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. If they remain in the group of DR applications, there may not be time to complete the engineering study and construction before the construction deadline.
Rumor has it that HCFCD may be working on moving the Woodridge Project into the flood-mitigation category which has more time before construction must be completed.
Crenshaw’s Critical Role in Numerous Lake Houston Area Flood Projects
In the meantime, hats off to Congressman Dan Crenshaw. He has consistently succeeded in advocating for Kingwood and Lake Houston Area flood-mitigation projects. Among his other successes:
$8 million for Taylor Gully improvements
$8 million for Lake Houston Dam gates
$10 million for Woodridge Stormwater Improvements
$4 million for Walnut Lane Bridge Improvements over the Diversion Ditch
$12 million for Ford Road Improvements
$900 thousand for I-69 Southbound Frontage Road Drainage Improvements
$3.6 million for Highland, Huffman and Crosby roadway and drainage improvements
$1.12 million for FM1488 area street rehab and drainage improvements
$10 million for Cedar Bayou stormwater detention basin
$1.673 million for Huffman (Forest Manor) drainage improvements
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/25/24
2614 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241008-DSC_0923-1.jpg?fit=1100%2C733&ssl=17331100adminadmin2024-10-25 20:51:372024-10-25 23:08:42Crenshaw Secures $3.2 Million for Final Engineering of Two Kingwood Flood-Mitigation Projects
10/24/24 – It may seem counterintuitive, but there is a well-recognized relationship between wildfires and floods. What is it?
Simple. Wildfires create conditions that increase the risk of future flooding. Specifically, they affect infiltration; runoff volume and speed; erosion; sedimentation; and more.
How Wildfires Increase Future Flood Risk
Here’s an outline of the the relationship between wildfires and floods:
Loss of Vegetation: Forest fires burn vegetation, which normally helps to hold soil in place and absorb rainfall. Fires leave soil exposed and unprotected.
Water-Repellent Soil: Intense fires can cause soil to repel water. This increases the amount of water running off the surface during rainstorms, rather than soaking into the ground.
Increased Runoff: Without vegetation, rainwater flows more quickly and in greater volumes over the landscape. This runoff can lead to flash flooding, particularly after heavy rains in areas recently affected by wildfires.
Erosion and Sediment: Post-fire floods tend to carry a lot of sediment and debris since the soil is no longer stabilized by plant roots. This sediment can settle downstream, reduce the carrying capacity of streams and worsen flooding.
In short, forest fires can create conditions that increase the likelihood of flooding and make flood events more severe in the affected areas. This relationship is particularly common in the period immediately following a wildfire when the landscape is most vulnerable to erosion and rapid runoff.
What the Experts Says
According to FEMA, “While some floods develop over time, flash floods—particularly common after wildfires—can occur within minutes after the onset of a rainstorm. Even areas that are not traditionally flood-prone are at risk, due to changes to the landscape caused by fire. … Flood risk remains significantly higher until vegetation is restored – up to 5 years after a wildfire.”
The National Weather Service says, “Locations that are downhill and downstream from burned areas are highly susceptible to Flash Flooding and Debris Flows.”
The Army Corps of Engineers also warns of the relationship between vegetation loss and flash flooding. They say the risk of debris flows lasts two to five years.
The Corps, FEMA and Weather Service all recommend purchasing flood insurance within their discussions of wildfires.
Current Conditions in Southeast Texas: Growing Fire Risk
So how bad are current conditions?
I already have received an email from one reader who was seriously injured fighting a pasture fire in Liberty County.
No weather monitoring site in southeast Texas has recorded ANY rainfall for the month of October. “That’s impressive because October is usually our second wettest month behind May,” says Jeff Lindner, Harris County’s meteorologist.
October 2024 Rainfall and Departures from Normal
You can see the lack of recent rain in the statistics below:
College Station: 0.00, -3.49
BUSH IAH: 0.00, -3.82
Hobby: 0.00, -4.12
Galveston: 0.00, -3.66
Conroe: 0.00, -3.67
Sugarland: 0.00, -3.29
Drought Worsening
Moderate drought now covers more than half of Texas and severe drought covers more than a quarter of the state. All of Harris and surrounding counties are in moderate or severe drought, except for those along the coast.
Says Lindner, “While the recent dryness has been relatively short thus far compared to other dry spells, it has been intense – accompanied by much warmer than normal late summer and early fall temperatures. This has quickly resulted in drought degradation across the entire region and vegetation health quickly declining.”
Fire Activity Increasing
“The result has also been an increase in wildland fire activity in recent weeks – especially when drier air masses move over the region along with gusty winds,” Lindner continued.
“As the area moves deeper into the fall and winter months, more frequent and stronger cold fronts will bring stronger winds and much drier air masses across the area. Without any significant wetting rainfall, fire-weather conditions will quickly elevate,” he said.
Wildfire Risk Soaring
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KDBI) values indicate wildland fire risk. Currently, they show significant risk across the area. The scale is from 0 (completely saturated) to 800 (completely void of moisture to 8 inches deep). Values above 650 indicate an increased risk of wildland fire and values over 700 indicate a significant risk.
Current average KBDI values are:
Austin: 735
Brazoria: 630
Brazos: 744
Chambers: 693
Colorado: 705
Fort Bend: 706
Galveston: 620
Grimes: 730
Harris: 727
Liberty: 739
Matagorda: 615
Montgomery: 715
San Jacinto: 717
Walker: 691
Washington: 738
Wharton: 689
Looking Ahead: Higher than Average Temps/Lower Than Normal Rainfall
We are currently heading into La Niña conditions. “Such global oscillations tend to support southern plains drought,” says Lindner.
The National Weather Service indicates drought development and persistence across all of Texas into early 2025. See below:
Source: National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center
Be Careful with Outdoor Burning
Beryl left a lot of dead vegetative debris lying around last summer. It’s now turning into fuel. So be extremely careful with outdoor fires. It’s probably best not to burn those leaves you rake up this fall.
The fire you prevent now could help prevent flooding next spring.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/24/24
2613 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Wildland-Fire-Risk.png?fit=769%2C839&ssl=1839769adminadmin2024-10-24 20:29:282024-10-24 20:31:57Relationship Between Wildfires and Floods
10/23/24 – Starting Friday 10/25/24 at 8 PM through Monday 10/28/24 at 5AM, contractors will close the Northpark crossover at Russell Palmer Road to pour new concrete in the median. See location of the X in the diagram below.
That means northbound traffic on Russell Palmer will not be able to turn west (left) toward 59. Nor will westbound traffic on Northpark be able to turn south onto Russell Palmer. In each case, traffic must detour by looping around to another open crossover then doubling back.
Eastbound and westbound traffic on Northpark drive will not be affected.
Only area within boundaries of red box will be closed.Picture taken on 10/11 for previous post.
To minimize inconvenience caused by the crossover closure, crews will place rebar and pour concrete directly on compacted dirt, rather than putting asphalt down first.
Utility Conflicts Almost Eliminated
Elsewhere on Northpark, CenterPoint was working to remove the last of its power poles. That means the last of the utility obstacles should soon be out of the way for road construction crews.
Exact Dates of Total Closure, Bridge Construction Still Not Determined
Work is expected to begin on the frontage roads over the UPRR tacks in January. Motorists can expect a 3-day closure of Northpark Drive in either January or February as UPRR crews remove and replace more than 200 feet of railroad tracks.
The exact date of the closure depends on how quickly the railroad crew completes other work. They will also be reconstructing the crossing farther north on the tracks at Knox road. Union Pacific is trying to schedule both projects back to back.
Construction on the bridge structure itself is still a year away.
Phase-2 Preparations Underway
TxDOT approved the proposed schematics for Phase 2 earlier this year. Phase 2 will:
Expand Northpark Drive from Russell Palmer Road to east of Woodland Hills Drive from four to six lanes
Replace both bridges at the Kingwood Diversion Ditch
Replace the roadway crossing at Ben’s Branch.
Add a 90-acre foot detention basin for more stormwater mitigation and to control flow into the Diversion Ditch.
Now, that TxDOT has approved schematics for Phase 2, LHRA is conducting land surveys, obtaining rights of entry, and preparing documents needed to acquire roadway right-of-way and drainage easements.
Ralph De Leon, TIRZ manager, explained the primary reason for extending the extra lanes east past Woodland Hills. It has to do with drainage, specifically eliminating a huge depression in the roadbed. The road dips from west of the Diversion Ditch almost to Woodland Hills. He said engineers want to establish a consistent elevation between high points.
The purpose of the expansion project is to accommodate growth and create an all-weather evacuation route for 78,000 Kingwood residents.
“All the work we’re doing in Phase 1 would do no good in an evacuation if people couldn’t get to it,” he said.
Red X on left at Bens Branch corresponds to X in elevation profile on right. Source: USGS National Map Viewer.
Construction of Phase 2, however, is still several years away.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241011-DJI_20241011100947_0985_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2024-10-23 21:12:572024-10-24 10:22:22Northpark Crossover at Russell Palmer Closed Friday through Sunday
Crenshaw Secures $3.2 Million for Final Engineering of Two Kingwood Flood-Mitigation Projects
U.S. Representative Dan Crenshaw helped secure another $3.2 million dollars for two crucial Kingwood flood-mitigation projects. The money is part of two EPA grants, each for $1.6 million. And they will cover final engineering for the Taylor Gully/Woodridge Village and Kingwood Diversion Ditch flood-mitigation projects.
80:20 Matching Grants from EPA
The EPA will pay 80% of each project’s costs and HCFCD will pay the remaining 20% ($400,000 each), according to transmittals to Harris County Commissioners Court for the 10/28/24 meeting.
Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) is asking Commissioners to approve acceptance of the grants, as they obligate the county to spend $800,000 from the 2018 Flood Bond.
Four years ago this week, the Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis identified these two projects as the two most important in the Kingwood Area. The projects will increase conveyance and reduce floodplains. In the meantime, HCFCD completed preliminary engineering plans on each project.
Projects’ Scope, Goals
Anticipated deliverables for both projects include final engineering plans and supporting documents for hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) analyses.
The scope includes identification of proposed alternatives and recommendation of one for final design, based on a detailed alternative analysis.
The EPA says the plans should lead to:
Anticipated Taylor Gully Benefits
HCFCD expects the Taylor Gully improvements will reduce riverine flood risk for the residents of Elm Grove, Mills Branch, North Kingwood Forest and Woodstream Village. It could reduce the 100-year floodplain by 116 acres, remove 276 structures from the floodplain, and lower floodwaters for structures still in the floodplain.
Anticipated Diversion Ditch Benefits
HCFCD expects the project will benefit structures in the vicinity of Bens Branch with additional reduction in street flooding. The Flood Control District also expects that this project will reduce the 100-year floodplain by 223 acres, remove up to 69 structures from the floodplain, and lower flood levels for structures still in the floodplain.
The alternative to not applying for grant funding? Flood risks will remain in place or the project will need to be funded locally.
The grants are items #256 and #257 on Tuesday’s Commissioners Court agenda.
Deadlines
Supporting documents do not address deadlines, which could come into play here unless HCFCD makes changes in other grant applications.
The Woodridge Village project includes the creation of two detention basins to reduce floodwater entering Taylor Gully.
However, the Woodridge detention basins are currently part of a disaster relief (DR) application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. If they remain in the group of DR applications, there may not be time to complete the engineering study and construction before the construction deadline.
Rumor has it that HCFCD may be working on moving the Woodridge Project into the flood-mitigation category which has more time before construction must be completed.
However, I saw no mention of that on next week’s commissioner’s court agenda. Let’s hope they lock that down quickly.
Crenshaw’s Critical Role in Numerous Lake Houston Area Flood Projects
In the meantime, hats off to Congressman Dan Crenshaw. He has consistently succeeded in advocating for Kingwood and Lake Houston Area flood-mitigation projects. Among his other successes:
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/25/24
2614 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Relationship Between Wildfires and Floods
10/24/24 – It may seem counterintuitive, but there is a well-recognized relationship between wildfires and floods. What is it?
Simple. Wildfires create conditions that increase the risk of future flooding. Specifically, they affect infiltration; runoff volume and speed; erosion; sedimentation; and more.
How Wildfires Increase Future Flood Risk
Here’s an outline of the the relationship between wildfires and floods:
In short, forest fires can create conditions that increase the likelihood of flooding and make flood events more severe in the affected areas. This relationship is particularly common in the period immediately following a wildfire when the landscape is most vulnerable to erosion and rapid runoff.
What the Experts Says
According to FEMA, “While some floods develop over time, flash floods—particularly common after wildfires—can occur within minutes after the onset of a rainstorm. Even areas that are not traditionally flood-prone are at risk, due to changes to the landscape caused by fire. … Flood risk remains significantly higher until vegetation is restored – up to 5 years after a wildfire.”
The National Weather Service says, “Locations that are downhill and downstream from burned areas are highly susceptible to Flash Flooding and Debris Flows.”
The Army Corps of Engineers also warns of the relationship between vegetation loss and flash flooding. They say the risk of debris flows lasts two to five years.
The Corps, FEMA and Weather Service all recommend purchasing flood insurance within their discussions of wildfires.
Current Conditions in Southeast Texas: Growing Fire Risk
So how bad are current conditions?
I already have received an email from one reader who was seriously injured fighting a pasture fire in Liberty County.
No weather monitoring site in southeast Texas has recorded ANY rainfall for the month of October. “That’s impressive because October is usually our second wettest month behind May,” says Jeff Lindner, Harris County’s meteorologist.
October 2024 Rainfall and Departures from Normal
You can see the lack of recent rain in the statistics below:
Drought Worsening
Moderate drought now covers more than half of Texas and severe drought covers more than a quarter of the state. All of Harris and surrounding counties are in moderate or severe drought, except for those along the coast.
Says Lindner, “While the recent dryness has been relatively short thus far compared to other dry spells, it has been intense – accompanied by much warmer than normal late summer and early fall temperatures. This has quickly resulted in drought degradation across the entire region and vegetation health quickly declining.”
Fire Activity Increasing
“The result has also been an increase in wildland fire activity in recent weeks – especially when drier air masses move over the region along with gusty winds,” Lindner continued.
“As the area moves deeper into the fall and winter months, more frequent and stronger cold fronts will bring stronger winds and much drier air masses across the area. Without any significant wetting rainfall, fire-weather conditions will quickly elevate,” he said.
Wildfire Risk Soaring
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KDBI) values indicate wildland fire risk. Currently, they show significant risk across the area. The scale is from 0 (completely saturated) to 800 (completely void of moisture to 8 inches deep). Values above 650 indicate an increased risk of wildland fire and values over 700 indicate a significant risk.
Current average KBDI values are:
Looking Ahead: Higher than Average Temps/Lower Than Normal Rainfall
We are currently heading into La Niña conditions. “Such global oscillations tend to support southern plains drought,” says Lindner.
The National Weather Service indicates drought development and persistence across all of Texas into early 2025. See below:
Be Careful with Outdoor Burning
Beryl left a lot of dead vegetative debris lying around last summer. It’s now turning into fuel. So be extremely careful with outdoor fires. It’s probably best not to burn those leaves you rake up this fall.
The fire you prevent now could help prevent flooding next spring.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/24/24
2613 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Northpark Crossover at Russell Palmer Closed Friday through Sunday
10/23/24 – Starting Friday 10/25/24 at 8 PM through Monday 10/28/24 at 5AM, contractors will close the Northpark crossover at Russell Palmer Road to pour new concrete in the median. See location of the X in the diagram below.
That means northbound traffic on Russell Palmer will not be able to turn west (left) toward 59. Nor will westbound traffic on Northpark be able to turn south onto Russell Palmer. In each case, traffic must detour by looping around to another open crossover then doubling back.
In my 10/11 post on Northpark expansion, I implied that Northpark traffic would be closed also. That was a mistake. It will remain open in both directions.
To minimize inconvenience caused by the crossover closure, crews will place rebar and pour concrete directly on compacted dirt, rather than putting asphalt down first.
Utility Conflicts Almost Eliminated
Elsewhere on Northpark, CenterPoint was working to remove the last of its power poles. That means the last of the utility obstacles should soon be out of the way for road construction crews.
Exact Dates of Total Closure, Bridge Construction Still Not Determined
Work is expected to begin on the frontage roads over the UPRR tacks in January. Motorists can expect a 3-day closure of Northpark Drive in either January or February as UPRR crews remove and replace more than 200 feet of railroad tracks.
The exact date of the closure depends on how quickly the railroad crew completes other work. They will also be reconstructing the crossing farther north on the tracks at Knox road. Union Pacific is trying to schedule both projects back to back.
Construction on the bridge structure itself is still a year away.
Phase-2 Preparations Underway
TxDOT approved the proposed schematics for Phase 2 earlier this year. Phase 2 will:
Now, that TxDOT has approved schematics for Phase 2, LHRA is conducting land surveys, obtaining rights of entry, and preparing documents needed to acquire roadway right-of-way and drainage easements.
Ralph De Leon, TIRZ manager, explained the primary reason for extending the extra lanes east past Woodland Hills. It has to do with drainage, specifically eliminating a huge depression in the roadbed. The road dips from west of the Diversion Ditch almost to Woodland Hills. He said engineers want to establish a consistent elevation between high points.
The purpose of the expansion project is to accommodate growth and create an all-weather evacuation route for 78,000 Kingwood residents.
“All the work we’re doing in Phase 1 would do no good in an evacuation if people couldn’t get to it,” he said.
Construction of Phase 2, however, is still several years away.
For More Information
Consult the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority project pages. Or see these ReduceFlooding posts:
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/23/24
2612 Days since Hurricane Harvey