According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, wetlands provide free floodwater storage that helps retain runoff and reduce flooding. Wetlands also reduce erosion and improve water quality. Last, but not least, they also provide habitat for hundreds of species.
One of my hobbies has long been bird photography. Few other cities in America offer the possibilities that Houston does, thanks in large part to the abundant wetlands found here.
For instance, since 2010, 198 species of birds have been spotted in or near the wetlands of Kingwood’s East End Park. Many of those species are rare, threatened, or even endangered.
Many of the shots below were taken there. Friendswood donated the land to the Kingwood Service Association to manage for the benefit of all Kingwood residents. And I am sure that proximity to such beauty has enhanced home values.
Local Color
For those willing to explore, the visual rewards can be priceless. These colorful creatures enrich our community and our lives.
Mating display by Great White Egret in breeding plumage.Painted Bunting enjoying breakfastCattle Egret near HuffmanRoseate Spoonbills defending nest from marauder.Ruby-Throated Hummingbird nearCreekwood Nature Centerand Kingwood Town CenterCedar WaxwingMale Mallard in Huffman on Lake HoustonGreat White Egrets watch hatchling as it emerges from eggRoseate Spoonbills get their pink coloration from the foods they eat. They are one of six spoonbill species in the world and the only one found in North America.Male Scarlet Tanager in breeding plumage.
As we head into the peak of the Spring nesting season, I offer these shots as a visual testament to the wonders of wetlands. And with grateful thanks to all our predecessors who saw the beauty in conservation and preservation.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/27/24
2402 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20120414-20120414-_RJR2231.jpg?fit=1100%2C891&ssl=18911100adminadmin2024-03-27 14:44:232024-03-29 16:23:09A Visual Testament to the Wonders of Wetlands
In the continuing quest for understanding, today I googled “What are the most effective forms of flood mitigation?” The query returned 284 million results, including the one following.
A&M Study of Buffalo Bayou Found Stormwater Storage Most Effective
Storage-based drainage mechanisms are most effective for flood mitigation.
92% of flood damage cost can be saved by using storage-based facilities.
Installing conveyance-based systems on property roads reduces flood damage by 19%.
The authors based their study on Buffalo Bayou and defined effectiveness as “flood-damage reduction.”
Expanding storage and conveyance are certainly the go-to solutions for Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD). One former director of HCFCD told me that he agrees that storage is the most effective option in this area and that conveyance is also effective, but less so.
A small part of the 279-acre Willow Water Hole complex near Brays Bayou, South Post Oak and Highway 90.
More Options on Menu…
But many more solutions exist.
I didn’t have time this morning to compare the other 284 million hits, so I asked ChatGPT my question. The AI bot replied:
“Flood mitigation involves various strategies and measures aimed at reducing the risk and impact of flooding on communities and infrastructure. Some of the most effective forms of flood mitigation include:
Floodplain Management: This involves regulating land use and development in flood-prone areas to minimize the exposure of people and property to flood risks. It may include zoning regulations, building codes, and restrictions on construction in flood-prone areas.
Natural Flood Management: Utilizing natural features such as wetlands, floodplains, and forests to absorb and slow down floodwaters. Restoring and preserving these natural features can help to reduce the severity of floods by increasing water retention and infiltration.
Flood Control Infrastructure: Building structures such as levees, dams, floodwalls, and stormwater drainage systems to control and redirect floodwaters. While these measures can be effective, they often come with high costs and potential environmental impacts.
Stormwater Management: Implementing practices to manage stormwater runoff, such as green roofs, permeable pavements, and rain gardens. These techniques help to reduce the volume and velocity of runoff, decreasing the risk of flooding.
Flood Warning Systems: Establishing early warning systems to alert residents and authorities of impending floods, allowing time for evacuation and implementation of emergency measures.
Elevation and Retrofitting: Elevating buildings and infrastructure in flood-prone areas to reduce their vulnerability to flooding. Retrofitting existing structures with flood-resistant materials and technologies can also help to minimize flood damage.
Community Education and Preparedness: Educating residents about flood risks, evacuation procedures, and emergency preparedness measures. Community involvement and awareness are essential for effective flood mitigation efforts.
Land Use Planning and Regulation: Implementing comprehensive land use plans that consider flood risk and incorporate measures to mitigate it. This may include avoiding development in high-risk areas and promoting sustainable land use practices.
Insurance and Financial Incentives: Encouraging the purchase of flood insurance and providing financial incentives for property owners to undertake flood mitigation measures such as elevating structures or installing flood barriers.
Cooperation and Coordination: Collaborating with neighboring areas to manage transboundary rivers and basins effectively.
“Effective flood mitigation often requires a combination of these strategies tailored to the specific geographic, social, and economic context of each region. Additionally, ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and adaptation of flood mitigation measures are essential to address evolving flood risks due to factors such as climate change and urbanization.”
The AI system didn’t quantify its answers, though, the way Brody’s study did and I can understand why. There is no one-size-fits-all answer.
Having researched approximately 2500 stories since Hurricane Harvey, I’ve written dozens of posts in each of the 10 categories above.
Some of the standouts include:
Floodplain Management: Remember the Romerica story? International developers wanted to build 50-story high rises in the floodplain and floodway of the San Jacinto West Fork…with no viable evacuation route. Thank goodness the Army Corps denied the permit.
Natural Floodplain Management: Remember the two Elm Grove floods in 2019? For years, before a developer clearcut 270 acres in the headwaters of Taylor Gully, the area below the new development remained flood free – even during Harvey. Clearcutting contributed to the flooding of hundreds of homes. Now we’re looking at expensive man-made fixes.
Stormwater Management: The U.S. General Services Administration has found that green roofs have been found to reduce stormwater runoff by up to 65%.
Flood Warning Systems: One of the most memorable aspects of Harvey was how rising floodwaters caught people unaware in the middle of the night. Twelve people died in Kingwood Village Estates during emergency evacuations, when they could have driven out safely just hours earlier.
Elevation and Retrofitting: John Blount, former Harris County Engineer found that areas that adopted improved building codes after Allison had 20X less damage during Harvey.
Community Education and Preparedness: HCFCD’s Final Harvey Report found that more than 70,000 homes in Harris County flooded, which were outside of any known floodplain. Few people understand their true flood risk.
Land-Use Planning and Regulation: Even as I write this, new developments are being built in high-risk areas, such as Northpark South, where the entrance to the new subdivision was under 8 feet of water during Harvey. How soon we forget!
Insurance and Financial Incentives: Until recently, flood insurance was subsidized by the Federal Government. Some say that encouraged people to build in risky places. But FEMA’s new risk-based rates are encouraging people to be more cautious now about where they build and buy.
Cooperation and Coordination: In a widespread 100-year flood, more than 2 million acre feet of runoff funnel through the Lake Houston Area from more than 2800 square miles outside of Harris County. Floodwater does not respect political boundaries. We will not solve flooding alone.
There are no simple answers to “What are the most effective forms of flood mitigation?” But the areas outlined above offer good starting points for exploration.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/25/24
2400 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211201-DJI_0913.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=17991200adminadmin2024-03-25 18:03:592024-03-25 18:09:14Most Effective Forms of Flood Mitigation
The Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service, working with local government organizations, has developed a free, customized program that might help you reduce water usage, costs, subsidence and flood risk. It’s called the WaterMyYard program.
A large percentage of the water used in urban areas goes to watering lawns. On average, the EPA estimates 30-60% of residential water irrigates lawns. Your percentage may vary depending on your location, distance inland, average temperature, rainfall, size of yard, etc. But in general, 50% is a good average estimate.
WaterMyYard uses local weather data in participating areas to provide free, weekly watering advice.
The system collects data from an extensive network of weather stations and rain gauges. It then correlates that data with evapotranspiration rates for major grass types; air and soil temperatures; rainfall; wind; and dew points so you can put the precise amount of water on your lawn that it needs to stay healthy.
Example: data for North Houston in the last 7 Days used as basis for calculations.
When you sign up for the service, you answer a few questions about the type of sprinklers you have and the inches per hour they spread on your lawn. Based on measured weather data, the system then sends you customized weekly water advice for your specific lawn and irrigation system.
The system takes the guess work out of knowing when and how much to water.
Texas A&M Agrilife Extension
For instance, it could tell you how much to cut back after a major rain or how much to increase watering during a dry spell.
If you don’t know how much water your system puts out per hour, don’t worry, you can change the amount after you sign up. You can use typical rates for different types of sprinkler systems. Or you can actually measure it by placing cans around your yard during watering cycles.
You can also add sprinkler systems, for instance, if you have one type for your lawn and another for flower beds and shrubs.
Testimonial: Water Usage Cut in Half
One user I know said he was able to cut his water usage by 50%. “I dropped home consumption in half and my lawn is still green and everything’s still fine,” he said. “Most of us just don’t have enough information. When we go into new homes, we just leave the sprinkler settings the way the last guy had them.”
“I really didn’t pay much attention to them,” he continued. “As long as my grass was green, I was good. But a lot of research out there says that we can be more efficient with that. And that’s what the WaterMyYard program does.”
With water rates constantly going up, it’s easy to see how eliminating wasted water, can save you money. But how does lawn watering affect subsidence and how does that affect flood risk?
Connection to Subsidence, Flooding
Large parts of the region still aren’t on surface water; they use groundwater. And if we use groundwater faster than it’s being replaced, we experience subsidence. Places in northwest Harris County sank 50 centimeters (almost 20 inches) between 2000 and 2022.
In a flat area like Houston, an inch per year can be significant. One subsidence expert said it can be enough to reduce the gradient of whole watersheds over a decade or two. That means stormwater doesn’t move away as quickly as it once did. So, in large rainfalls, flood peaks build higher faster.
Now consider this. If lawn irrigation accounts for half of residential water use, and if half of lawn irrigation is unnecessary, up to 25% of water we use could have stayed in the ground. And that could significantly reduce subsidence and flood risk while reducing your monthly water bill.
The sooner you act, the more you save. So sign up for WaterMyLawn weekly watering advisories today.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/23/2024
2398 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Subsidence-in-Houston-2000-to-2022.jpg?fit=1100%2C850&ssl=18501100adminadmin2024-03-23 17:25:382024-03-23 17:37:56Easy Way to Reduce Water Usage, Costs, Subsidence and Flood Risk
A Visual Testament to the Wonders of Wetlands
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, wetlands provide free floodwater storage that helps retain runoff and reduce flooding. Wetlands also reduce erosion and improve water quality. Last, but not least, they also provide habitat for hundreds of species.
One of my hobbies has long been bird photography. Few other cities in America offer the possibilities that Houston does, thanks in large part to the abundant wetlands found here.
For instance, since 2010, 198 species of birds have been spotted in or near the wetlands of Kingwood’s East End Park. Many of those species are rare, threatened, or even endangered.
Many of the shots below were taken there. Friendswood donated the land to the Kingwood Service Association to manage for the benefit of all Kingwood residents. And I am sure that proximity to such beauty has enhanced home values.
Local Color
For those willing to explore, the visual rewards can be priceless. These colorful creatures enrich our community and our lives.
As we head into the peak of the Spring nesting season, I offer these shots as a visual testament to the wonders of wetlands. And with grateful thanks to all our predecessors who saw the beauty in conservation and preservation.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/27/24
2402 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Most Effective Forms of Flood Mitigation
In the continuing quest for understanding, today I googled “What are the most effective forms of flood mitigation?” The query returned 284 million results, including the one following.
A&M Study of Buffalo Bayou Found Stormwater Storage Most Effective
One interesting study co-authored by a Texas A&M professor, Samuel Brody, was titled, “How effective are drainage systems in mitigating flood losses?” This particular study compared the relative effectiveness several options and found:
The authors based their study on Buffalo Bayou and defined effectiveness as “flood-damage reduction.”
Expanding storage and conveyance are certainly the go-to solutions for Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD). One former director of HCFCD told me that he agrees that storage is the most effective option in this area and that conveyance is also effective, but less so.
More Options on Menu…
But many more solutions exist.
I didn’t have time this morning to compare the other 284 million hits, so I asked ChatGPT my question. The AI bot replied:
“Flood mitigation involves various strategies and measures aimed at reducing the risk and impact of flooding on communities and infrastructure. Some of the most effective forms of flood mitigation include:
“Effective flood mitigation often requires a combination of these strategies tailored to the specific geographic, social, and economic context of each region. Additionally, ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and adaptation of flood mitigation measures are essential to address evolving flood risks due to factors such as climate change and urbanization.”
The AI system didn’t quantify its answers, though, the way Brody’s study did and I can understand why. There is no one-size-fits-all answer.
Having researched approximately 2500 stories since Hurricane Harvey, I’ve written dozens of posts in each of the 10 categories above.
Some of the standouts include:
There are no simple answers to “What are the most effective forms of flood mitigation?” But the areas outlined above offer good starting points for exploration.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/25/24
2400 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Easy Way to Reduce Water Usage, Costs, Subsidence and Flood Risk
The Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service, working with local government organizations, has developed a free, customized program that might help you reduce water usage, costs, subsidence and flood risk. It’s called the WaterMyYard program.
A large percentage of the water used in urban areas goes to watering lawns. On average, the EPA estimates 30-60% of residential water irrigates lawns. Your percentage may vary depending on your location, distance inland, average temperature, rainfall, size of yard, etc. But in general, 50% is a good average estimate.
Grass is the most watered crop in America. And many of us overwater our lawns, running up water bills needlessly.
How WaterMyYard Program Works
WaterMyYard uses local weather data in participating areas to provide free, weekly watering advice.
The system collects data from an extensive network of weather stations and rain gauges. It then correlates that data with evapotranspiration rates for major grass types; air and soil temperatures; rainfall; wind; and dew points so you can put the precise amount of water on your lawn that it needs to stay healthy.
When you sign up for the service, you answer a few questions about the type of sprinklers you have and the inches per hour they spread on your lawn. Based on measured weather data, the system then sends you customized weekly water advice for your specific lawn and irrigation system.
For instance, it could tell you how much to cut back after a major rain or how much to increase watering during a dry spell.
If you don’t know how much water your system puts out per hour, don’t worry, you can change the amount after you sign up. You can use typical rates for different types of sprinkler systems. Or you can actually measure it by placing cans around your yard during watering cycles.
You can also add sprinkler systems, for instance, if you have one type for your lawn and another for flower beds and shrubs.
Testimonial: Water Usage Cut in Half
One user I know said he was able to cut his water usage by 50%. “I dropped home consumption in half and my lawn is still green and everything’s still fine,” he said. “Most of us just don’t have enough information. When we go into new homes, we just leave the sprinkler settings the way the last guy had them.”
“I really didn’t pay much attention to them,” he continued. “As long as my grass was green, I was good. But a lot of research out there says that we can be more efficient with that. And that’s what the WaterMyYard program does.”
With water rates constantly going up, it’s easy to see how eliminating wasted water, can save you money. But how does lawn watering affect subsidence and how does that affect flood risk?
Connection to Subsidence, Flooding
Large parts of the region still aren’t on surface water; they use groundwater. And if we use groundwater faster than it’s being replaced, we experience subsidence. Places in northwest Harris County sank 50 centimeters (almost 20 inches) between 2000 and 2022.
In a flat area like Houston, an inch per year can be significant. One subsidence expert said it can be enough to reduce the gradient of whole watersheds over a decade or two. That means stormwater doesn’t move away as quickly as it once did. So, in large rainfalls, flood peaks build higher faster.
Now consider this. If lawn irrigation accounts for half of residential water use, and if half of lawn irrigation is unnecessary, up to 25% of water we use could have stayed in the ground. And that could significantly reduce subsidence and flood risk while reducing your monthly water bill.
The sooner you act, the more you save. So sign up for WaterMyLawn weekly watering advisories today.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/23/2024
2398 Days since Hurricane Harvey