8/6/24 – During Beryl in July, the San Jacinto West Fork continued to run through at least three abandoned sand pits. Mining companies still own two. A third has been sold to a residential developer for unknown purposes.
The river captured the pits earlier this year. “River capture” is a term used by geologists when floodwater breaks through a dike on one side of a pit and then bursts out the opposite site. That effectively reroutes the river. The phenomenon usually takes place in pits on a point bar and shortens the distance water must travel around them.
Sold by Hallett to Riverwalk Porter LLC
Hallett sold a 200-acre pit on the west side of the San Jacinto West Fork to Riverwalk Porter LLC shortly before the January floods this year. It was great timing for Hallett; not so great for the developer. See below.
West Fork, upper left, enters a 200-acre pit (left) that Hallett sold to Riverwalk Porter LLC shortly before the pit capture.Note how the normal riverbed is now blocked by sand. 8/6/24.At the south end of the same pit, the river re-enters its normal channel.8/6/24.
If Riverwalk Porter LLC planned to use this pit for stormwater detention, that will no longer work. They would be pumping water directly into the river.
Second Pit Still Owned by Hallett
A little farther north, the river cuts through another pit. Hallett still owns this one. The southern end of this pit (bottom of frame below) was left open for years until the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) made Hallett fix it.
Now it’s open again…but on two sides. And the TCEQ has not yet taken action. I first observed this opening after May floods.’
Looking North. West Fork now cuts straight through the pit rather than going around it via its normal channel.8/6/24.Closer shot of bypassed channel at same pit.8/6/24.
Williams Brother Pit
Just south of White Sands Drive in Porter, Williams Brothers abandoned a pit after Harvey. The company still owns the property. However they show no signs of re-establishing an eroded dike.
A narrow berm used to seal the pit off from the river at the top of the frame. The berm eroded during January floods then disappeared in May floods this year.
With the river now flowing into the mine, it is starting to erode a channel out of the mine.
Williams Brothers Mine after Beryl. Photo taken 7/9/24. River flows toward foreground.
In fairness, when the river is lower, the channel in the foreground does not yet convey water all the way back to the river.
Abandoned Pits Becoming Bigger Problem
At least four other companies have abandoned pits on the West Fork in recent years that represent potential issues:
I’ve been talking lately to residents neighboring these facilities. They worry about flooding related to the mines and how that can undermine their property values.
One resident that I interviewed today talked about growing up on the river before Lake Conroe, sand mining and his property flooding. He talked about clear water, abundant fish and plentiful wildlife.
I’ve been researching best practices for sand-mine abandonment and have some thoughts that I will share on the subject in coming days. I’m not sure we can get back to the way it was in the 1960s, but we can definitely do better. Check back in the coming days.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/6/2024
2534 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 29 since Beryl
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/2024/08/20240806-DJI_20240806112047_0506_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2024-08-06 21:32:422024-08-06 21:39:12West Fork Still Running Through Sand Pits
8/5/24 – Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) has released its final report on Hurricane Beryl. The amazingly detailed, fact-filled, 30-page report by Jeff Lindner, Harris County’s meteorologist, covers the storm’s origins, rainfall, storm surge, high-water marks, wind speeds, flooding, and more for locations throughout the County.
Every sentence contains nuggets of information that you can use to amaze your friends, relatives in other states, and insurance agents.
Wind Speeds Up to 99 MPH
I’m not joking about insurance agents. One homeowner told me an adjuster denied her claim based on the fact that the wind was “only 37 MPH.” This report shows both average wind speeds and gusts. According to the official report, peak gusts in the Lake Houston Area were 69 MPH – almost double what the adjuster said.
Kyle Field at Texas A&M recorded the highest gust – 99 MPH.
Highest Storm Surge since Ike
Have a home near the shore? You may be interested to know that Beryl produced the highest storm surge since Hurricane Ike in 2008.
Storm surge averaged 5-7 feet above ground level along the coast, near the west side of Galveston Bay, Clear Lake, and the lower San Jacinto.
Water levels at the ship-channel turning basin reached 9 feet above ground level.
The high surge levels are likely the result of freshwater descending in watersheds as wind drove seawater into the upper portions of the ship channel.
Rainfall Intensity
Rainfall intensity was very high in places at times.
The Houston Transtar Center in the Buffalo Bayou watershed received 9.9 inches in 6 hours. There’s only a 2% annual chance of that (meaning it was a 50-year rainfall at that location). Transtar also received the highest 24-hour total – 12 inches (a 4% annual chance or 25-year total).
Out of 193 gages, 82 (42%) recorded an inch of rainfall in 15 minutes.
Rainfall Totals
Rainfall totals were less impressive due largely to the speed of the storm.
Most of the county received 24-hour totals of 6-9 inches. Higher totals generally fell south of I-10.
Six-hour rainfall amounts averaged 4-7 inches across most of the county.
Rainfall rates on the Atlas 14 chart for both 6- and 12-hour periods generally fell between 2- and 10-year events.
24-Hour Rainfall Totals during Beryl. HCFCD report also contains totals from shorter time periods.
The report noted that storms before Beryl had left the ground highly saturated. That increased runoff.
Only 10 Homes in County Flooded
Channel flooding was moderate. Approximately 10 structures flooded throughout the county. All suffered flooding in the past. They were built in areas with very low elevations.
Forty out of 193 gages reached or exceeded “flooding-likely” levels. That means the channels were full to the top of their banks.
Had the storm moved slower, Beryl could have been a very different story!
2.26 million homes lost power – some for up to 11 days. The Lake Houston Area was among the hardest hit because of the dense forests here. The density adds a degree of difficult for both maintenance and repair crews.
Note uprooted tree to left of bend in trail still leaning over power lines in Kings Forest. Photo taken 8/4/24.
Twenty-eight days after the storm, dead trees and limbs still clog streets and lean on power lines.
Intense rainfall occasionally caused flooding of streets and roadways. Portions of SH288, I-10 and I-45 flooded and became impassable at times.
Beaches eroded along most of the upper Texas Coast. High tides and storm surge overtopped and destroyed entire dune systems.
Beryl also damaged coastal roadways, beach access walkways, and private as well as public properties.
High-Water Marks
A table on page 30 compares the high-water marks at dozens of locations with those from previous storms dating, in some cases, back to 1973.
At Clear Creek and I-45, Beryl flooding reached almost as high as Tropical Storm Allison (7.7 feet in Beryl vs. 7.8 feet in Allison).
HCFCD did not record any high-water marks in the Lake Houston Area.
Deaths
As of July 31, Hurricane Beryl had directly caused five deaths in Harris County: three from drowning, two from falling trees.
Additionally, the County recorded 13 indirect deaths: eight heat related, five recovery related.
The report notes that Beryl continues a recent trend of more fatalities occurring in the aftermath of landfalling storms than from the storms themselves.
I’m not quite sure what to infer from that. Is our preparation for flooding getting better? Or is our infrastructure maintenance getting worse?
2533 days since Hurricane Harveyand 28 since Beryl
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beryl-24-hour-rainfall-totals-in-Harris-Cty.jpg?fit=1100%2C725&ssl=17251100adminadmin2024-08-05 15:55:412024-08-05 19:30:13HCFCD Releases Final Report on Hurricane Beryl
8/4/24 – Yesterday’s post about power disruptions due to “tree touches” drew of flood of responses from all parts of the Lake Houston Area. Many were eager to meet with CenterPoint face-to-face and discuss grievances going back decades.
Among the many responses, one stood out. Chris Bloch, a Bear Branch Trail Association (BBTA) board member, provided a detailed list of problems that his association encounters when trying to work with the company.
I have lightly edited Bloch’s letter for brevity without changing any thoughts. It shows the lengths our unpaid volunteers go to in order to serve their community. I took all photos below today on BBTA property to illustrate the issues Bloch talks about.
Bob,
The Bear Branch Trail Association property has many power line easements crossing it. In each of the last three years, CenterPoint has had contractors on BBTA property cutting back vegetation. I do not know about other trail associations, but CenterPoint has actively tried to manage their right of way (ROW) through BBTA property.
In all cases, CenterPoint contractors cut back vegetation at a greater width than the CenterPoint easement. We have not objected to that practice as long as it is within reason. But we have encountered several other persistent problems.
Not Removing Debris
In numerous cases, we have identified trees on BBTA property leaning toward power line easements. In some cases, CenterPoint, has taken down the trees, but it is their policy not to remove the debris. We have had to bear the cost of removal or leave it to rot. If the tree is in a highly visible area, we pay to have it removed.
CenterPoint easement through BBTA property behind the Kings Forest Pool. Note debris left behind and tree still leaning over pole.
Working Near Power Lines
At other times, CenterPoint feels BBTA should hire contractors to remove trees near power lines. BBTA contractors are highly qualified and professional, but they often refuse to remove trees near power lines. They fear for their safety. (See photo above.) As we work through these issues, delays can expose the public to higher risk of power outages.
Taking Out the Trash
We also have had a consistent problem with CenterPoint contractors leaving ROW debris on BBTA property.
We document these instances with photos and complain to CenterPoint. They respond by claiming their contractors should have removed the debris.
CenterPoint usually asks us to document locations. Eventually contractors may return to remove debris. But…
We do not feel we should have to supervise CenterPoint contractors. CenterPoint should have their own inspectors monitor contractors’ work.
Chris Bloch, BBTA Board Member
BBTA trail behind Kings Forest Pool
Homeowner Reporting Issues
We actively monitor power line rights of way to identify problems. And we notify CenterPoint when we find them. We feel it’s part of our responsibility. But their own contractors do not seem to report issues to CenterPoint.
And unfortunately, we do not see all the problems. Many originate on adjoining homeowner properties. In my opinion, nearly half of power line damages start there. I suspect the vast majority of homeowners do not report problem trees. And if they did, they would likely not volunteer to have trees removed at their own expense.
Whose Job Is It?
CenterPoint seems to avoid removing trees that threaten power lines if they are not on the CenterPoint ROW. This contributes to the number of trees that fall on power lines.
Giving Notice
And CenterPoint rarely advises us when accessing their right of way through our trails.
CenterPoint often uses BBTA trails to access downed power lines in many locations. (See below.) Their heavy equipment has damaged trails, left deep ruts and created unsightly holes in underbrush. In one case, they even ran over saplings newly planted by students.
Equipment cut across trail and through underbrush to get to Centerpoint easement.
Refusing to Pay for Most Damages
But CenterPoint has refused to pay to repair the damage. They say their out of state contractors are responsible.
BBTA has threatened to sue CenterPoint, but eventually BBTA usually bears the cost of replacing damaged trails.
To reduce this chronic problem, we have now upgraded our specifications for trail repairs to make trails stronger.
In the past, when CenterPoint damaged trees on BBTA property, they donated replacement trees. That’s good. We hope they will respond the same way this time.
Better Management Approach Needed…All Around
Damage to power infrastructure can be much better managed. But it will take a more cooperative approach between CenterPoint, Trail Associations, and Homeowner Associations.
CenterPoint isn’t the only utility that we occasionally grapple with. Comcast damaged greenbelts, too. And it is our understanding that Optimum, Brightspeed and AT&T all plan fiberoptic installations in the near future.
We look forward to resolving these conflicts in a way that benefits all parties.
Chris Bloch
Bear Branch Trail Association Board Member
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/4/24
2532 days since Hurricane Harveyand 27 since Beryl
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/20240804-RJR_3750.jpg?fit=1100%2C733&ssl=17331100adminadmin2024-08-04 20:25:092024-08-04 20:43:03Many Eager to Discuss CenterPoint Power Outage Issues
West Fork Still Running Through Sand Pits
8/6/24 – During Beryl in July, the San Jacinto West Fork continued to run through at least three abandoned sand pits. Mining companies still own two. A third has been sold to a residential developer for unknown purposes.
The river captured the pits earlier this year. “River capture” is a term used by geologists when floodwater breaks through a dike on one side of a pit and then bursts out the opposite site. That effectively reroutes the river. The phenomenon usually takes place in pits on a point bar and shortens the distance water must travel around them.
Sold by Hallett to Riverwalk Porter LLC
Hallett sold a 200-acre pit on the west side of the San Jacinto West Fork to Riverwalk Porter LLC shortly before the January floods this year. It was great timing for Hallett; not so great for the developer. See below.
If Riverwalk Porter LLC planned to use this pit for stormwater detention, that will no longer work. They would be pumping water directly into the river.
Second Pit Still Owned by Hallett
A little farther north, the river cuts through another pit. Hallett still owns this one. The southern end of this pit (bottom of frame below) was left open for years until the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) made Hallett fix it.
Now it’s open again…but on two sides. And the TCEQ has not yet taken action. I first observed this opening after May floods.’
Williams Brother Pit
Just south of White Sands Drive in Porter, Williams Brothers abandoned a pit after Harvey. The company still owns the property. However they show no signs of re-establishing an eroded dike.
A narrow berm used to seal the pit off from the river at the top of the frame. The berm eroded during January floods then disappeared in May floods this year.
With the river now flowing into the mine, it is starting to erode a channel out of the mine.
In fairness, when the river is lower, the channel in the foreground does not yet convey water all the way back to the river.
Abandoned Pits Becoming Bigger Problem
At least four other companies have abandoned pits on the West Fork in recent years that represent potential issues:
What to Do?
I’ve been talking lately to residents neighboring these facilities. They worry about flooding related to the mines and how that can undermine their property values.
One resident that I interviewed today talked about growing up on the river before Lake Conroe, sand mining and his property flooding. He talked about clear water, abundant fish and plentiful wildlife.
I’ve been researching best practices for sand-mine abandonment and have some thoughts that I will share on the subject in coming days. I’m not sure we can get back to the way it was in the 1960s, but we can definitely do better. Check back in the coming days.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/6/2024
2534 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 29 since Beryl
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.
HCFCD Releases Final Report on Hurricane Beryl
8/5/24 – Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) has released its final report on Hurricane Beryl. The amazingly detailed, fact-filled, 30-page report by Jeff Lindner, Harris County’s meteorologist, covers the storm’s origins, rainfall, storm surge, high-water marks, wind speeds, flooding, and more for locations throughout the County.
Every sentence contains nuggets of information that you can use to amaze your friends, relatives in other states, and insurance agents.
Wind Speeds Up to 99 MPH
I’m not joking about insurance agents. One homeowner told me an adjuster denied her claim based on the fact that the wind was “only 37 MPH.” This report shows both average wind speeds and gusts. According to the official report, peak gusts in the Lake Houston Area were 69 MPH – almost double what the adjuster said.
Kyle Field at Texas A&M recorded the highest gust – 99 MPH.
Highest Storm Surge since Ike
Have a home near the shore? You may be interested to know that Beryl produced the highest storm surge since Hurricane Ike in 2008.
Storm surge averaged 5-7 feet above ground level along the coast, near the west side of Galveston Bay, Clear Lake, and the lower San Jacinto.
Water levels at the ship-channel turning basin reached 9 feet above ground level.
The high surge levels are likely the result of freshwater descending in watersheds as wind drove seawater into the upper portions of the ship channel.
Rainfall Intensity
Rainfall intensity was very high in places at times.
The Houston Transtar Center in the Buffalo Bayou watershed received 9.9 inches in 6 hours. There’s only a 2% annual chance of that (meaning it was a 50-year rainfall at that location). Transtar also received the highest 24-hour total – 12 inches (a 4% annual chance or 25-year total).
Out of 193 gages, 82 (42%) recorded an inch of rainfall in 15 minutes.
Rainfall Totals
Rainfall totals were less impressive due largely to the speed of the storm.
Most of the county received 24-hour totals of 6-9 inches. Higher totals generally fell south of I-10.
Six-hour rainfall amounts averaged 4-7 inches across most of the county.
Rainfall rates on the Atlas 14 chart for both 6- and 12-hour periods generally fell between 2- and 10-year events.
The report noted that storms before Beryl had left the ground highly saturated. That increased runoff.
Only 10 Homes in County Flooded
Channel flooding was moderate. Approximately 10 structures flooded throughout the county. All suffered flooding in the past. They were built in areas with very low elevations.
Forty out of 193 gages reached or exceeded “flooding-likely” levels. That means the channels were full to the top of their banks.
Had the storm moved slower, Beryl could have been a very different story!
Other Damage
Power outages that resulted from high winds blowing trees into power lines created by far the largest impact to infrastructure.
2.26 million homes lost power – some for up to 11 days. The Lake Houston Area was among the hardest hit because of the dense forests here. The density adds a degree of difficult for both maintenance and repair crews.
Twenty-eight days after the storm, dead trees and limbs still clog streets and lean on power lines.
Intense rainfall occasionally caused flooding of streets and roadways. Portions of SH288, I-10 and I-45 flooded and became impassable at times.
Beaches eroded along most of the upper Texas Coast. High tides and storm surge overtopped and destroyed entire dune systems.
Beryl also damaged coastal roadways, beach access walkways, and private as well as public properties.
High-Water Marks
A table on page 30 compares the high-water marks at dozens of locations with those from previous storms dating, in some cases, back to 1973.
At Clear Creek and I-45, Beryl flooding reached almost as high as Tropical Storm Allison (7.7 feet in Beryl vs. 7.8 feet in Allison).
HCFCD did not record any high-water marks in the Lake Houston Area.
Deaths
As of July 31, Hurricane Beryl had directly caused five deaths in Harris County: three from drowning, two from falling trees.
Additionally, the County recorded 13 indirect deaths: eight heat related, five recovery related.
The report notes that Beryl continues a recent trend of more fatalities occurring in the aftermath of landfalling storms than from the storms themselves.
I’m not quite sure what to infer from that. Is our preparation for flooding getting better? Or is our infrastructure maintenance getting worse?
For More Information
To read the full Final Report on Hurricane Beryl, click here. You can compare reports on other major storms here.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/5/24
2533 days since Hurricane Harvey and 28 since Beryl
Many Eager to Discuss CenterPoint Power Outage Issues
8/4/24 – Yesterday’s post about power disruptions due to “tree touches” drew of flood of responses from all parts of the Lake Houston Area. Many were eager to meet with CenterPoint face-to-face and discuss grievances going back decades.
Among the many responses, one stood out. Chris Bloch, a Bear Branch Trail Association (BBTA) board member, provided a detailed list of problems that his association encounters when trying to work with the company.
I have lightly edited Bloch’s letter for brevity without changing any thoughts. It shows the lengths our unpaid volunteers go to in order to serve their community. I took all photos below today on BBTA property to illustrate the issues Bloch talks about.
Bob,
The Bear Branch Trail Association property has many power line easements crossing it. In each of the last three years, CenterPoint has had contractors on BBTA property cutting back vegetation. I do not know about other trail associations, but CenterPoint has actively tried to manage their right of way (ROW) through BBTA property.
In all cases, CenterPoint contractors cut back vegetation at a greater width than the CenterPoint easement. We have not objected to that practice as long as it is within reason. But we have encountered several other persistent problems.
Not Removing Debris
In numerous cases, we have identified trees on BBTA property leaning toward power line easements. In some cases, CenterPoint, has taken down the trees, but it is their policy not to remove the debris. We have had to bear the cost of removal or leave it to rot. If the tree is in a highly visible area, we pay to have it removed.
Working Near Power Lines
At other times, CenterPoint feels BBTA should hire contractors to remove trees near power lines. BBTA contractors are highly qualified and professional, but they often refuse to remove trees near power lines. They fear for their safety. (See photo above.) As we work through these issues, delays can expose the public to higher risk of power outages.
Taking Out the Trash
We also have had a consistent problem with CenterPoint contractors leaving ROW debris on BBTA property.
We document these instances with photos and complain to CenterPoint. They respond by claiming their contractors should have removed the debris.
CenterPoint usually asks us to document locations. Eventually contractors may return to remove debris. But…
Homeowner Reporting Issues
We actively monitor power line rights of way to identify problems. And we notify CenterPoint when we find them. We feel it’s part of our responsibility. But their own contractors do not seem to report issues to CenterPoint.
And unfortunately, we do not see all the problems. Many originate on adjoining homeowner properties. In my opinion, nearly half of power line damages start there. I suspect the vast majority of homeowners do not report problem trees. And if they did, they would likely not volunteer to have trees removed at their own expense.
Whose Job Is It?
CenterPoint seems to avoid removing trees that threaten power lines if they are not on the CenterPoint ROW. This contributes to the number of trees that fall on power lines.
Giving Notice
And CenterPoint rarely advises us when accessing their right of way through our trails.
CenterPoint often uses BBTA trails to access downed power lines in many locations. (See below.) Their heavy equipment has damaged trails, left deep ruts and created unsightly holes in underbrush. In one case, they even ran over saplings newly planted by students.
Refusing to Pay for Most Damages
But CenterPoint has refused to pay to repair the damage. They say their out of state contractors are responsible.
BBTA has threatened to sue CenterPoint, but eventually BBTA usually bears the cost of replacing damaged trails.
To reduce this chronic problem, we have now upgraded our specifications for trail repairs to make trails stronger.
In the past, when CenterPoint damaged trees on BBTA property, they donated replacement trees. That’s good. We hope they will respond the same way this time.
Better Management Approach Needed…All Around
Damage to power infrastructure can be much better managed. But it will take a more cooperative approach between CenterPoint, Trail Associations, and Homeowner Associations.
CenterPoint isn’t the only utility that we occasionally grapple with. Comcast damaged greenbelts, too. And it is our understanding that Optimum, Brightspeed and AT&T all plan fiberoptic installations in the near future.
We look forward to resolving these conflicts in a way that benefits all parties.
Chris Bloch
Bear Branch Trail Association Board Member
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/4/24
2532 days since Hurricane Harvey and 27 since Beryl