Northpark Drive construction crews have finished placing rebar in a 1000 foot long stretch on both sides of the entrance to Kings Mill. They will begin pouring concrete there on Monday, 9/16/24 at 3 AM. Concrete trucks will enter and leave the construction zone approximately every six minutes.
Because workers will spread the concrete next to the inbound lanes, traffic will be reduced to one lane until approximately 1 PM. However, both inbound lanes should open for the evening rush hour.
Rebar and forms ready for pour at 3AM Monday. Traffic on right will narrow to one lane to protect workers spreading the concrete.Looking west from Kings Mill Entrance at rebar ready for concrete.
At this time, the construction team has scheduled additional concrete pours for 9/20, 9/27, and 10/1; times and dates subject to change.
Project managers evaluated all-night and all-weekend scenarios for pouring the concrete, but encountered legal restrictions having to do with worker safety and/or cost.
Back-and-Forth Paving Plan
The general plan is for crews to pour one side of one stretch of the road while prepping the other. After they finish the new middle lanes, the old outer lanes will be demolished one side at a time. They will reroute traffic to the middle lanes will reconstructing the old lanes.
At this point, neither inbound nor outbound traffic will be shut down completely, though it will narrow to one lane on the side where concrete is being poured.
Looking east at entire stretch of rebar on right. The next pour will be on other side of road.
More Visible Progress
Ralph De Leon, the project manager, emphasized that most of the wrinkles that the project experienced in the last year have been ironed out at this point. However, one small snag remains re: a switch of fire hydrants and buildings with commercial sprinkler systems on the north side of Northpark.
Several companies and a church are migrating to the City of Houston water system, and it’s apparently taking longer than expected for the City’s billing and meter installation department to catch up with the new infrastructure installation. Worst case: some businesses may get free water for a month or so.
De Leon asked for patience. “People don’t see all the work that’s going on underground, but that’s the real heavy part of the lift,” he said. “People will begin to see a lot more progress on Monday. The above-ground ‘flat work’ that everyone sees goes much faster.”
Major Steps After This
The area between the Diversion Ditch and Russell Palmer Road will be paved as part of Phase II, which includes everything up to and a little bit past Woodland Hills Drive.
Paving crews will next complete the new lanes between Russell Palmer and 494.
Looking NE across 494 and Northpark (right). First junction box has just been buried in lower left. Drainage team must next bore under 494 and railroad tracks.
Next, paving crews will turn their attention to 494.
Loop 494 will get the same alternate side of the road treatment in sections until finished.
Finally, crews will begin work west to US59.
NW corner of Northpark and Loop 494, looking west toward 59
The entry ponds will likely be among the last things completed.
In my last post, I alluded to a total shutdown of Northpark while UnionPacific installed new beds and track across the road. Originally scheduled for sometime in October or November, that will now happen in January or February.
It’s too early to tell when bridge construction over 494 will commence.
For More Information
For schematic diagrams of the paving plan, click here.
As paving moves east to west, crossovers will need to close temporarily. To see the schedule, click here.
9/12/24 – You would think that as more water flows into a ditch, the area under bridges would get larger. But Chris Bloch, a retired Kingwood engineer with an eye for details that affect flooding, made some startling discoveries recently about the areas under four bridges over the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.
Flow areas under two bridges get smaller as you go downstream and flow volume increases.
They constrict flow 30-40% compared to the Kingwood Drive Bridge.
This helps explain flooding problems adjacent to the ditch, he says. Another engineer I interviewed for this article expressed shock. He said, “That can’t be. It’s bewildering.”
The Kingwood Diversion Ditch branches off Bens Branch just north of Northpark Drive by Flowers of Kingwood. Bridges span the ditch in four places: Northpark Drive, Kingwood Drive, Walnut Lane and Deer Springs.
The ditch runs north to south and helps drain the western third of Kingwood. It crosses under Kingwood Drive by the Fire Station. It then continues south to Deer Ridge Park, before turning and outfalling into the San Jacinto West Fork at River Grove Park. See the map below.
Kingwood Diversion Ditch got its name because it diverts water that would otherwise go down Bens Branch. It gives that stormwater an alternate route to the West Fork at bottom of frame.
Not only does the Diversion Ditch carry a percentage of the water from Bens Bench, it also drains streets in several subdivisions along its way to the river.
More and more stormwater empties into it as you move south. But look at the square footage of the areas under the bridges.
Bridge
Opening in SqFt
Northpark
720.8
Kingwood Drive
1,136.5
Walnut Lane
809.7
Deer Springs
689.0
From Kingwood Drive south, the bridge “flow areas” get smaller by approximately 30% and then 40% compared to Kingwood Drive.
Flow area is the size of the opening under the bridge available to convey floodwater without it coming up over the bridge deck.
Pictures of Bridges from Upstream to Down
Here’s what the bridges look like starting upstream, in the same order as the table above. I took all these photos on 9/11/24.
To calculate the square footages, Bloch took physical measurements of depth every two feet from one side of each bridge to the other.
Kingwood Diversion Ditch Bridge at Northpark Drive, looking south.Kingwood Diversion Ditch Bridge at Kingwood Drive, looking NorthKingwood Diversion Ditch Bridge at Walnut Lane looking N, approximately 30% less than Kingwood DriveKingwood Diversion Ditch Bridge at Deer Springs, approximately 40% less than Kingwood Drive.
No wonder many homes and businesses have flooded from the Diversion Ditch!
Flow Area vs. Flow Rates
Of course, flow areas don’t tell the total story, just a large portion of it. Engineers also consider flow rates. But calculating flow rates is more difficult than calculating flow areas.
When water backs up behind a bridge, it can increase pressure which forces more water under, over and around the bridge…faster. Think of spray from a garden hose when you pinch the nozzle with your thumb.
Two problems though:
Water is still backing up to some degree.
The higher pressure causes jetting under the bridge that increases erosion.
For a spectacular example of the damage that jetting can do, look at the Tree Lane Bridge over Bens Branch, slightly east of the Diversion Ditch.
Damage to Tree Lane Bridge over Bens Branch caused by jetting.Photo taken before current repair job started.After repairs started. Note severe erosion downstream from bridge threatening power line corridor. Also note how floodwater downcut underneath 10 inch water line that was once buried.
Engineers perform miracles for us everyday. But sometimes, even their best efforts are no match for Mother Nature when she straps on her Stetson and six shooters. That’s why careful planning, generous safety margins, and coordination between upstream and downstream interests are so crucial.
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/2024/09/KW-Div-Ditch-Bridges-copy.jpg?fit=1100%2C746&ssl=17461100adminadmin2024-09-12 20:47:002024-09-12 21:07:21Bewildering Size of Areas under Diversion-Ditch Bridges
9/11/2024 4 PM CDT – Hurricane Francine is making landfall in southeastern Louisiana.
Although most of my readers live in the Houston area, many have friends and relatives living in Louisiana. This post goes out to them.
Francine Making Landfall in Louisiana
At 3:30 PM on 9/11/24
Stats
According to the National Hurricane Center, at 4 PM CDT, Francine’s eyewall was nearing the Southern Louisiana coast with hurricane force winds.
Maximum sustained winds were measured at 100 mph.
Minimum central pressure was 28.79.
40 Miles SSW of Morgan City
100 Miles WSW of New Orleans
Expected Rainfall: 4-8 inches with local amounts to 12 inches across Southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
Storm surge: 3-10 feet
Eyewall diameter: 40 nautical miles
Movement to the NE at 17 MPH
Will become extra-tropical cyclone by Friday
Life threatening surf and rip currents
Tornadoes possible.
Graphics
Remembering Another 9/11
Thoughts and prayers for all our neighbors in Louisiana. Just two months ago, we saw what Beryl’s 80 MPH winds did to the Houston area. These winds are 20 MPH faster.
Thoughts and prayers also for all the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. I had clients who worked near the top floors of the World Trade Center. I will never forget the sickening feeling as the towers fell, knowing they didn’t make it out alive.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/11/24
8401 Days since the Twin Towers
2570 since Hurricane Harvey
65 since Beryl
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Francine-Just-Before-Landfall.jpg?fit=1000%2C1000&ssl=110001000adminadmin2024-09-11 16:26:242024-09-11 16:26:24Francine Making Landfall in Louisiana
Northpark Crews Begin Pouring Concrete Monday, Road Narrowed
Northpark Drive construction crews have finished placing rebar in a 1000 foot long stretch on both sides of the entrance to Kings Mill. They will begin pouring concrete there on Monday, 9/16/24 at 3 AM. Concrete trucks will enter and leave the construction zone approximately every six minutes.
Because workers will spread the concrete next to the inbound lanes, traffic will be reduced to one lane until approximately 1 PM. However, both inbound lanes should open for the evening rush hour.
At this time, the construction team has scheduled additional concrete pours for 9/20, 9/27, and 10/1; times and dates subject to change.
Project managers evaluated all-night and all-weekend scenarios for pouring the concrete, but encountered legal restrictions having to do with worker safety and/or cost.
Back-and-Forth Paving Plan
The general plan is for crews to pour one side of one stretch of the road while prepping the other. After they finish the new middle lanes, the old outer lanes will be demolished one side at a time. They will reroute traffic to the middle lanes will reconstructing the old lanes.
At this point, neither inbound nor outbound traffic will be shut down completely, though it will narrow to one lane on the side where concrete is being poured.
More Visible Progress
Ralph De Leon, the project manager, emphasized that most of the wrinkles that the project experienced in the last year have been ironed out at this point. However, one small snag remains re: a switch of fire hydrants and buildings with commercial sprinkler systems on the north side of Northpark.
Several companies and a church are migrating to the City of Houston water system, and it’s apparently taking longer than expected for the City’s billing and meter installation department to catch up with the new infrastructure installation. Worst case: some businesses may get free water for a month or so.
De Leon asked for patience. “People don’t see all the work that’s going on underground, but that’s the real heavy part of the lift,” he said. “People will begin to see a lot more progress on Monday. The above-ground ‘flat work’ that everyone sees goes much faster.”
Major Steps After This
The area between the Diversion Ditch and Russell Palmer Road will be paved as part of Phase II, which includes everything up to and a little bit past Woodland Hills Drive.
Paving crews will next complete the new lanes between Russell Palmer and 494.
Next, paving crews will turn their attention to 494.
Finally, crews will begin work west to US59.
The entry ponds will likely be among the last things completed.
In my last post, I alluded to a total shutdown of Northpark while UnionPacific installed new beds and track across the road. Originally scheduled for sometime in October or November, that will now happen in January or February.
It’s too early to tell when bridge construction over 494 will commence.
For More Information
For schematic diagrams of the paving plan, click here.
As paving moves east to west, crossovers will need to close temporarily. To see the schedule, click here.
For a three-week look-ahead schedule, visit the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website.
Also, see these posts on ReduceFlooding for a history of the project:
Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/13/24
2572 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Bewildering Size of Areas under Diversion-Ditch Bridges
9/12/24 – You would think that as more water flows into a ditch, the area under bridges would get larger. But Chris Bloch, a retired Kingwood engineer with an eye for details that affect flooding, made some startling discoveries recently about the areas under four bridges over the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.
They constrict flow 30-40% compared to the Kingwood Drive Bridge.
This helps explain flooding problems adjacent to the ditch, he says. Another engineer I interviewed for this article expressed shock. He said, “That can’t be. It’s bewildering.”
One of Two Most Important Projects in Kingwood
Harris County Flood Control District ranked flood-mitigation along the Diversion Ditch as one of the two most important projects in Kingwood.
The Kingwood Diversion Ditch branches off Bens Branch just north of Northpark Drive by Flowers of Kingwood. Bridges span the ditch in four places: Northpark Drive, Kingwood Drive, Walnut Lane and Deer Springs.
The ditch runs north to south and helps drain the western third of Kingwood. It crosses under Kingwood Drive by the Fire Station. It then continues south to Deer Ridge Park, before turning and outfalling into the San Jacinto West Fork at River Grove Park. See the map below.
Not only does the Diversion Ditch carry a percentage of the water from Bens Bench, it also drains streets in several subdivisions along its way to the river.
More and more stormwater empties into it as you move south. But look at the square footage of the areas under the bridges.
Flow area is the size of the opening under the bridge available to convey floodwater without it coming up over the bridge deck.
Pictures of Bridges from Upstream to Down
Here’s what the bridges look like starting upstream, in the same order as the table above. I took all these photos on 9/11/24.
To calculate the square footages, Bloch took physical measurements of depth every two feet from one side of each bridge to the other.
No wonder many homes and businesses have flooded from the Diversion Ditch!
Flow Area vs. Flow Rates
Of course, flow areas don’t tell the total story, just a large portion of it. Engineers also consider flow rates. But calculating flow rates is more difficult than calculating flow areas.
When water backs up behind a bridge, it can increase pressure which forces more water under, over and around the bridge…faster. Think of spray from a garden hose when you pinch the nozzle with your thumb.
Two problems though:
For a spectacular example of the damage that jetting can do, look at the Tree Lane Bridge over Bens Branch, slightly east of the Diversion Ditch.
Engineers perform miracles for us everyday. But sometimes, even their best efforts are no match for Mother Nature when she straps on her Stetson and six shooters. That’s why careful planning, generous safety margins, and coordination between upstream and downstream interests are so crucial.
With some of the fastest growth in the region just upstream from Kingwood, we must plan for ever-increasing volumes of water coming downstream.
Posted by Bob Rehak and Chris Bloch on 6/12/23
2571 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.
Francine Making Landfall in Louisiana
9/11/2024 4 PM CDT – Hurricane Francine is making landfall in southeastern Louisiana.
Although most of my readers live in the Houston area, many have friends and relatives living in Louisiana. This post goes out to them.
Francine Making Landfall in Louisiana
Stats
According to the National Hurricane Center, at 4 PM CDT, Francine’s eyewall was nearing the Southern Louisiana coast with hurricane force winds.
Graphics
Remembering Another 9/11
Thoughts and prayers for all our neighbors in Louisiana. Just two months ago, we saw what Beryl’s 80 MPH winds did to the Houston area. These winds are 20 MPH faster.
Thoughts and prayers also for all the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. I had clients who worked near the top floors of the World Trade Center. I will never forget the sickening feeling as the towers fell, knowing they didn’t make it out alive.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/11/24
8401 Days since the Twin Towers
2570 since Hurricane Harvey
65 since Beryl