News - Reduce Flooding

Northpark Expansion Update, Still No Sign of Entergy

In the last three weeks, the Northpark expansion project has made slow, but steady progress, despite the fact that Entergy still has not moved any power poles or its transformer. For the moment, contractors seem to be working around the absentee utility issues, which have lingered for four years.

The bulk of activity has focused on the two stormwater detention basins near US59; drainage between 59 and 494; and new northbound turn lanes at 59. In addition, contractors spliced in a section of culvert by Parkwood Baptist Church near Russell-Palmer Road.

A gap was caused by a conflict with an existing water line to the church. The water line was too close to the surface. Therefore, contractors could not place the culvert deep enough. Rerouting the water line became its own small construction project, requiring engineering diagrams, approvals, estimates, change orders, permits and city inspections.

Another Week, Another Turn Lane

Most progress this week could be seen at the entries.

*Looking NE from over 59 and Northpark Drive. Note fresh concrete for two additional right-hand, outbound turn lanes.*

*Looking east. Photos taken Wednesday afternoon 3/27/24. Outbound traffic was backed up to Russell-Palmer Road.*

*Note fresh concrete pour and men smoothing it.* *Also note culvert and connectors being stockpiled for new storm sewers.*

*Farther east, we can see more prep work for the drainage that must be installed before work on the surface.*

Rain Slows Basin Excavation

More than three inches of rain in the week before I took these shots seems to have slowed down excavation of the detention basins at the 59 entry.

*Ponding water gives hint of what is to come.* *Looking N over south pond.*

*Looking E across north pond. Both retaining walls in the north pond are finished and the concrete is curing. Backfill is already completed* *behind the walls.*

*Looking S across Northpark at south pond.*

*Workers are still removing the wooden forms around the last retaining wall. Fill has not yet been placed behind the wall.*

Work at Russell Palmer Scheduled

Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 has posted a lane closure notice for the Russell-Palmer crossover between the east- and westbound lanes of Northpark from 9pm on Friday, April 5th to 5am on Monday, April 8th. That’s next weekend.

Crews will remove old pole-mounted traffic signals and replace them with wire-mounted signals. This will enable contractors to continue laying culvert toward the west. Right now the pole-mounted lights are in the center the road. That area will eventually be paved over.

*Pole-mounted traffic signals at Russell Palmer will be removed to make way for extension of culvert.*

Here is the 3-week lookahead schedule posted on March 21.

Entergy Still MIA

Entergy was first notified of conflicts with the expansion project in 2020. They still haven’t moved their equipment, such as this transformer. At this point, they have ignored a City of Houston ultimatum for three weeks. Entergy has not returned phone calls to clarify when it plans to take action.

*Transformer at Exxon Station.* *The box that’s putting the whole expansion project in a box.*

For More Information

For more information about Northpark expansion, visit the project pages of the LHRA/Tirz 10 website. Or see these posts on ReduceFlooding:

Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/29/24

2404 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.

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.

*Mating display by Great White Egret in breeding plumage.*

*Roseate Spoonbills defending nest from marauder.*

*Ruby-Throated Hummingbird near* *Creekwood Nature Center* *and Kingwood Town Center*

*Male Mallard in Huffman on Lake Houston*

*Great White Egrets watch hatchling as it emerges from egg*

*Roseate 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

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:

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.

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.
Floodwater Infrastructure: Stormwater detention basins and channel widening have proven effective almost everywhere in and around Harris County. They’re expensive, but proven solutions in our flat, low-lying area. But they only work in areas with room to build them. In older areas, they often require buying out entire neighborhoods.
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