On 3/7/24, TxDOT, the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ10 and the City of Houston hosted an open house at the Kingwood Community Center to share detailed project plans at a Northpark Phase II Meeting. The informal “come-and-go-when-you want” style of the meeting gave authorities a chance to mingle with residents and solicit their feedback on plans.
Two hundred and forty-six people attended the Phase II meeting in person or virtually.
Objectives of Project
In addition to reducing traffic congestion, one of the main goals is to elevate Northpark Drive above the 100-year floodplain to create an all-weather evacuation route for area residents. Other goals include preparing for anticipated growth and improving pedestrian/bicycle safety.
Different Lanes for Different Pains
As with Phase I, roads will be elevated. Lanes will be both added and widened. Eleven-foot-wide lanes will expand to 12 feet. And 10-foot-wide sidewalks will be added, enabling bicyclists and pedestrians to pass each other easily.
Proposed improvements to Northpark Drive extend from 750 feet east of Russell Palmer Road to 800 feet east of Woodland Hills Drive, in Harris and Montgomery Counties. The project would include the reconstruction and widening of approximately one mile of Northpark Drive from a four-lane to a six-lane roadway.
TXDoT broke Phase II into three sections based on current lane configurations and traffic conditions.
Section A starts about halfway between Russell-Palmer and the Kingwood Diversion Ditch and goes up to the Ditch. “A” also includes the Woodland Hills/Northpark Drive Intersection.
Section B goes from the Ditch to the start of the Northpark Place Commercial Association.
Section C includes businesses inside Kingwood almost to Woodland Hills, where Section A restarts.
The three lanes would include two 12-foot-wide main lanes in each direction; left and right turning lanes; and 1-foot-wide outside/inside shoulders.
The area where the grassy median is today would be repurposed to use as turning lanes or additional travel lanes.
TxDOT
The wooden pylon sign that says “Kingwood” will go. However, according to Dee Price, KSA President, the serpentine wall that heralds “The Livable Forest” would remain after construction.
Reconstruction will also include new signals at the Woodland Hills Drive and Hidden Pines Drive intersections.
To reduce flooding, the project also includes new drainage features, such as open ditches, curb-and-gutter, and one stormwater-detention basin in a location yet to be determined.
Business owners especially need to understand how a change in traffic patterns could affect their businesses.
Construction is still several years away. The most likely start date: 2027. Between now and then, project managers will focus on environmental surveys, detailed design, and right-of-way acquisition.
Starting on March 11, one lane will close on Russell Palmer during installation of the temporary signals.
The water line to Parkwood Baptist Church which held up construction has now been repaired. A crew will soon splice in the missing piece of culvert with a concrete sleeve to tie adjacent sections together.
On 3/6/24, Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) revealed its preliminary recommendations for the Kingwood Diversion Ditch. The recommendations come out of a preliminary engineering report (PER) for the project. And HCFCD is still soliciting public comments.
Recommendations from Preliminary Engineering Report
HCFCD initially considered three alternative scenarios and dismissed one. It then spent most of last night’s meeting comparing the other two and discussing why it preferred one.
The proposed project alternative recommends:
Channel conveyance improvements to the Diversion Ditch
A diversion structure at the intersection of the Diversion Ditch and Bens Branch to take enough water out of Bens Branch to bring it up from a 2-year level of service to a 100-year level.
Bridge replacements at Kingwood Drive, Walnut Lane, Deer Ridge Estates Boulevard and the pedestrian bridge at Lake Village Drive
The ultimate goal of the Kingwood Diversion Ditch Project is to reduce the risk of structural flooding associated with the Bens Branch channel.
HCFCD
Improvements to One Channel Improve Another
The Kingwood Diversion Ditch is a man-made channel that was constructed prior to 1978. The channel diverted excess stormwater from Bens Branch and gave it an alternate route to the West Fork of the San Jacinto River.
The two channels largely operate as one unit. But HCFCD has room to expand the ditch and not Bens Branch. That’s because large portions of the Bens Branch Channel remain natural and are flanked by greenbelt trails, near and dear to the hearts of residents.
The Kingwood Diversion Ditch, however, has ample right of way and room for expansion. Even though, the Diversion Ditch operates at 100% of its design capacity, expansion of the Diversion Ditch can reduce the water surface elevation along Bens Branch without destroying the natural character of the stream.
The two alternatives that made the initial cut each recommended widening and deepening the Diversion Ditch channel. Exact dimensions/increases, however, will not become clear until final construction plans are developed.
Proposed widths for the bottom of the channel could vary from 10-80 feet. Top of channel widths could vary from 150-190 feet.
HCFCD said only that widths would vary along different portions of the channel and that, altogether both channels should be able to handle 100-year rains when the project is complete. The Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis revealed that portions of Ben’s Branch flooded in a 2-year rain.
The screen capture below shows benefits of the recommended alternative (#3).
HCFCD recommended Alternative #3 because of savings on maintenance.
Money Not Yet Identified to Fund Improvements
However, money does not currently exist to fund ANY of the three options. Almost seven years after Harvey, only $3.9 million has been committed. But costs are estimated at $54.5 million.
Screen capture from PER review meeting.
HCFCD emphasized that it always looks for funding. The District laid out a sequence of future events. Next steps:
Present the preliminary engineering report to commissioners court in two weeks.
Commission final design
Additional community engagement meeting
Secure funding
Begin construction
Need for Local Disaster-Mitigation Funding
The funding challenges, almost seven years after Harvey when the sense of urgency has dissipated, underscore the need for communities everywhere to plan for their own flood mitigation.
We can’t expect the federal government to ride to the rescue for every issue in every community. People in Kentucky don’t want to pay for our Diversion Ditch any more than people in Kingwood want to pay for a Diversion Ditch in Kentucky.
Switching gears, the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority will hold a separate meeting tonight at the Kingwood Community Center from 5-7PM to discuss plans for the second phase of Northpark Drive Expansion. Hope to see you there.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/7/2024
2382 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240306-Screenshot-2024-03-06-at-6.50.05%E2%80%AFPM.jpg?fit=1100%2C612&ssl=16121100adminadmin2024-03-07 14:38:022024-03-07 15:00:21Preliminary Recommendations for Kingwood Diversion Ditch Announced
Tonight, Harris County Flood Control (HCFCD) will discuss the results of a preliminary engineering review on the Kingwood Diversion Ditch at a virtual meeting from 6:30 to 7:30. The objective: to find the optimal alternative for:
Returning the Diversion Ditch to a hundred-year level of service
Pushing back the floodplain from homes and businesses
Reducing future maintenance costs
Controlling overall costs
Significant reduction in water surface elevation along Bens Branch and the Diversion Ditch.
For those of you who may not be familiar with ditch names, The Kingwood Diversion Ditch splits off Ben’s Branch just south of the new St. Martha’s Catholic Church, about a block north of the fireworks stand on Northpark (see below).
Where water gets diverted from Bens Branch (running diagonally through center of frame) in tree line. Diversion ditch center then goes under Northpark Drive, foreground, on its way to River Grove Park.
It then cuts south toward Kingwood Drive next to the HPD Fire Station, and then continues its way to the West Fork snaking its way through Trailwood Village and past Deer Ridge Park. It then joins the San Jacinto at River Grove Park.
White = Diversion Ditch. Red = Bens Branch. Green = Possible new outfall.
The Diversion Ditch got its name because it diverts water from Bens Branch (red above), which cuts diagonally through the heart of Kingwood. It therefore reduces flooding in all neighborhoods south and west of the red line.
That’s one reason why the Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis named it the most important drainage project in Kingwood. It affects more people than any other project in the entire area.
Features of Various Options
Features of the various options presented tonight will include:
Expanding conveyance of the Diversion Ditch
Adding a drop structure to reduce erosion
Creating a new outfall to the West Fork
New, wider bridges over the Diversion Ditch
Improved street drainage
Creating a natural stable channel design in certain areas with riffles and pools.
This is your opportunity to provide community input on the recommendations before final design begins.
How/When to Join Meeting
The Virtual Community Engagement Meeting will be held on:
Or by phone* at 855-925-2801 with Meeting Code: 6701
Organization of Meeting
The meeting will begin with a brief presentation to share project updates, followed by a moderated Q&A session with Flood Control District team members.
How to Submit Public Comments
Residents will be able to submit questions, comments and input before, during and after the meeting, which will be considered during project development. Any comments not addressed during the Q&A session will receive a response at the conclusion of the public comment period.
You may submit comments in any one of three ways from March 6, 2024 (tonight) to March 20, 2024.
On the Flood Control District’s website at hcfcd.org/F-14, or
Via phone at 855-925-2801 with Meeting Code: 6701
Any questions not addressed during tonight’s Q&A will receive a response from the Flood Control District after the event. Meeting information and video will be available on:
TxDOT, LHRA Engage Kingwood at Northpark Phase II Meeting
On 3/7/24, TxDOT, the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ10 and the City of Houston hosted an open house at the Kingwood Community Center to share detailed project plans at a Northpark Phase II Meeting. The informal “come-and-go-when-you want” style of the meeting gave authorities a chance to mingle with residents and solicit their feedback on plans.
Objectives of Project
In addition to reducing traffic congestion, one of the main goals is to elevate Northpark Drive above the 100-year floodplain to create an all-weather evacuation route for area residents. Other goals include preparing for anticipated growth and improving pedestrian/bicycle safety.
Different Lanes for Different Pains
As with Phase I, roads will be elevated. Lanes will be both added and widened. Eleven-foot-wide lanes will expand to 12 feet. And 10-foot-wide sidewalks will be added, enabling bicyclists and pedestrians to pass each other easily.
Proposed improvements to Northpark Drive extend from 750 feet east of Russell Palmer Road to 800 feet east of Woodland Hills Drive, in Harris and Montgomery Counties. The project would include the reconstruction and widening of approximately one mile of Northpark Drive from a four-lane to a six-lane roadway.
TXDoT broke Phase II into three sections based on current lane configurations and traffic conditions.
The three lanes would include two 12-foot-wide main lanes in each direction; left and right turning lanes; and 1-foot-wide outside/inside shoulders.
The wooden pylon sign that says “Kingwood” will go. However, according to Dee Price, KSA President, the serpentine wall that heralds “The Livable Forest” would remain after construction.
Reconstruction will also include new signals at the Woodland Hills Drive and Hidden Pines Drive intersections.
To reduce flooding, the project also includes new drainage features, such as open ditches, curb-and-gutter, and one stormwater-detention basin in a location yet to be determined.
See additional details about what will happen in each section in this presentation or these meeting handouts.
Still Time to Provide Public Comment
If you missed the meeting last night, you can still provide public input. Review the materials above and send your comments via:
If you own a business along Northpark, don’t miss this preliminary schematic construction diagram that shows rights of way and more plan details.
Business owners especially need to understand how a change in traffic patterns could affect their businesses.
Construction is still several years away. The most likely start date: 2027. Between now and then, project managers will focus on environmental surveys, detailed design, and right-of-way acquisition.
Upcoming Schedule
LHRA has also provided a three-week look-ahead schedule to show you what will happen when.
Two important items on it include:
For More Information
For more information about the project including Phase I, visit the project pages of the LHRA/Tirz 10 website. Or see these posts on ReduceFlooding:
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/8/24
2383 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Preliminary Recommendations for Kingwood Diversion Ditch Announced
On 3/6/24, Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) revealed its preliminary recommendations for the Kingwood Diversion Ditch. The recommendations come out of a preliminary engineering report (PER) for the project. And HCFCD is still soliciting public comments.
Recommendations from Preliminary Engineering Report
HCFCD initially considered three alternative scenarios and dismissed one. It then spent most of last night’s meeting comparing the other two and discussing why it preferred one.
The proposed project alternative recommends:
The bridges at Northpark Drive will also be rebuilt, but as part of the Northpark Expansion Project.
Improvements to One Channel Improve Another
The Kingwood Diversion Ditch is a man-made channel that was constructed prior to 1978. The channel diverted excess stormwater from Bens Branch and gave it an alternate route to the West Fork of the San Jacinto River.
The two channels largely operate as one unit. But HCFCD has room to expand the ditch and not Bens Branch. That’s because large portions of the Bens Branch Channel remain natural and are flanked by greenbelt trails, near and dear to the hearts of residents.
The Kingwood Diversion Ditch, however, has ample right of way and room for expansion. Even though, the Diversion Ditch operates at 100% of its design capacity, expansion of the Diversion Ditch can reduce the water surface elevation along Bens Branch without destroying the natural character of the stream.
The two alternatives that made the initial cut each recommended widening and deepening the Diversion Ditch channel. Exact dimensions/increases, however, will not become clear until final construction plans are developed.
Proposed widths for the bottom of the channel could vary from 10-80 feet. Top of channel widths could vary from 150-190 feet.
HCFCD said only that widths would vary along different portions of the channel and that, altogether both channels should be able to handle 100-year rains when the project is complete. The Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis revealed that portions of Ben’s Branch flooded in a 2-year rain.
The screen capture below shows benefits of the recommended alternative (#3).
Money Not Yet Identified to Fund Improvements
However, money does not currently exist to fund ANY of the three options. Almost seven years after Harvey, only $3.9 million has been committed. But costs are estimated at $54.5 million.
HCFCD emphasized that it always looks for funding. The District laid out a sequence of future events. Next steps:
Need for Local Disaster-Mitigation Funding
The funding challenges, almost seven years after Harvey when the sense of urgency has dissipated, underscore the need for communities everywhere to plan for their own flood mitigation.
We can’t expect the federal government to ride to the rescue for every issue in every community. People in Kentucky don’t want to pay for our Diversion Ditch any more than people in Kingwood want to pay for a Diversion Ditch in Kentucky.
Still Time for Public Comment
You can see video of the meeting and the full presentation here. HCFCD will accept public comments through March 20:
Northpark Phase II Meeting Tonight
Switching gears, the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority will hold a separate meeting tonight at the Kingwood Community Center from 5-7PM to discuss plans for the second phase of Northpark Drive Expansion. Hope to see you there.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/7/2024
2382 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Diversion Ditch Meeting Tonight; Northpark Phase II Tomorrow
Tonight, Harris County Flood Control (HCFCD) will discuss the results of a preliminary engineering review on the Kingwood Diversion Ditch at a virtual meeting from 6:30 to 7:30. The objective: to find the optimal alternative for:
For those of you who may not be familiar with ditch names, The Kingwood Diversion Ditch splits off Ben’s Branch just south of the new St. Martha’s Catholic Church, about a block north of the fireworks stand on Northpark (see below).
It then cuts south toward Kingwood Drive next to the HPD Fire Station, and then continues its way to the West Fork snaking its way through Trailwood Village and past Deer Ridge Park. It then joins the San Jacinto at River Grove Park.
The Diversion Ditch got its name because it diverts water from Bens Branch (red above), which cuts diagonally through the heart of Kingwood. It therefore reduces flooding in all neighborhoods south and west of the red line.
That’s one reason why the Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis named it the most important drainage project in Kingwood. It affects more people than any other project in the entire area.
Features of Various Options
Features of the various options presented tonight will include:
This is your opportunity to provide community input on the recommendations before final design begins.
How/When to Join Meeting
The Virtual Community Engagement Meeting will be held on:
March 6, 2024
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Join online at: www.publicinput.com/Kingwood2
Or by phone* at 855-925-2801 with Meeting Code: 6701
Organization of Meeting
The meeting will begin with a brief presentation to share project updates, followed by a moderated Q&A session with Flood Control District team members.
How to Submit Public Comments
Residents will be able to submit questions, comments and input before, during and after the meeting, which will be considered during project development. Any comments not addressed during the Q&A session will receive a response at the conclusion of the public comment period.
You may submit comments in any one of three ways from March 6, 2024 (tonight) to March 20, 2024.
Any questions not addressed during tonight’s Q&A will receive a response from the Flood Control District after the event. Meeting information and video will be available on:
This is in Addition to the Northpark Phase II Meeting
This is not the only flood-related meeting this week. So don’t get confused. There’s another one tomorrow night, March 7 from 5-7 in-person at the Kingwood Community Center to discuss Northpark Phase II. That one will be sponsored by TxDOT, LHRA, TIRZ-10, and CoH. Please join your neighbors for both meetings.
Posted by Bob Rehak on March 6, 2024
2381 Days since Hurricane Harvey