After more than four years of traffic disruption, TxDOT announced it has completed construction of Loop 494 and Kingwood Drive improvements. Some cleanup and a small section of sidewalk construction remains. So does the switchover from old traffic lights to new. But those things are minor compared to the heavy lifting that started in late 2019.
The result: better, safer, wider access to Kingwood and area businesses with improved drainage.
Photos from 1/10/2024
Here are some drone shots of the $11.2 million project.
Looking E along Kingwood Drive to Loop 494 Intersection. Note additional L/R turn lanes to and from Loop 494.Closer shot shows remaining sections of sidewalk.Looking S at elevated and widened Loop 494 that now stretches to West Fork San Jacinto.Close up of intersection. New pole-mounted stoplights are up, but not yet active. Old wire-mounted lights still need to be removed. Most visible in foreground of shot above.Looking west toward I-69 and entry ponds. Insperity on left.
Fountain and Irrigation Repairs Up Next
KSA still needs to restore electrical service to the south (left) fountain and will have to repair/upgrade the irrigation systems on both sides of the road. The repairs were postponed while construction was still in progress. KSA has already engaged engineering and landscaping experts to assess the needs and develop estimates.
It was a long slog, but the improvements should help the community and businesses for decades to come. At press time, TxDOT could not be reached regarding when it would finish site cleanup.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/11/24
2326 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20240110-DJI_0077.jpg?fit=1100%2C733&ssl=17331100adminadmin2024-01-11 17:20:042024-01-11 17:21:55Loop 494, Kingwood Drive Construction Virtually Complete
Guess where the wetlands were? Today, I flew over Northpark Drive and Sorters-McClellan Road near the San Jacinto West Fork. I photographed a new development called Northpark South. Much of this land is in the floodplain. And much was also classified as wetlands for sixty years.
Can you guess which portion?
Photo of Northpark South on 1/10/24.Clearing essentially complete.
Here’s what the area looked like before clearing. Note any similarities? Like that curve in between the empty area and the tree line near the road?
Satellite photo from same area before clearing.Wetlands are large empty area.
That open area directly coincides with the soupy area in the first image.
And to think, less than a half inch of rain two days ago (January 8) produced all the muck you see in the first photo. Since then, we’ve had sunny skies, low humidity, and high, desiccating winds. They dried out the rest of the site. But not the wetlands.
Contractors at Northpark South have been trying to cover up the wetlands for six weeks with little luck. Here’s a closer shot from the reverse angle.
Photo from 1/10/24after less than a half inch of rain.
Construction plans show that homes will be built over the wetlands.
Wetlands Documented Since Early 1960s
USGS has documented wetlands on this property since at least 1961, as you can see in this topographic map viewer.
I’ve previously posted about the problems of building over wetlands. These pictures make another potent reminder. Problems include shifting slabs; windows, cabinets and doors that stick; cracked driveways; mold; erosion; clogged storm drains; downstream flooding and more.
Before Thanksgiving, I consulted a wetlands expert about this property. The expert said, “I would NOT feel safe living on top of a former wetland this close to the river. NO WAY! The land has a memory, deep in its soils, and I would expect future issues.”
I can see the cracks in wallboard already. No wonder the developer (Century Land Holdings of Texas LLC) urges people to buy homes over the internet, sight unseen! Buyer beware.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/10/2024
1325 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.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20240110-DJI_0038.jpg?fit=1100%2C733&ssl=17331100adminadmin2024-01-10 19:54:252024-01-10 20:05:34Guess Where the Wetlands Were?
On December 29, 2023, the New York Post reported that the Internal Revenue Service, Army Corps of Engineers, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality have all launched their own Colony Ridge investigations. Word on the street has it that even more investigations by other Federal agencies are underway.
Finally, just today (1/9/24), Harris County Commissioners Court discussed investigating the flooding, housing and environmental impacts of Colony Ridge on Harris County. The County Administrators Office and Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey agreed to discuss forming a task force. They would then return to Commissioners Court for final approval of their task force recommendations.
Thrust of Many Investigations Still Uncertain
However, with the exception of the DOJ and CFPB, the direction of many of these investigations remains unknown.
For instance, the EPA could be investigating any of several different allegations, including wetlands, endangered species, and pollution violations.
Colony Ridge, which has grown at least 50% larger than Manhattan in a decade, has filled in ponds and wetlands. While the Army Corps bears initial responsibility for investigating wetlands violations, ultimately the EPA reviews permit applications under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
Recently, the developer has been pushing into wetlands near Tarkington Bayou. I took the three photos below during in October 2023 while flying over the bayou. Despite a punishing drought, you can still see evidence of ponding.
A University of Waterloo (Ontario) study found that small isolated wetlands that are full for only part of the year are often the first to be removed for development. They enjoy fewer legal protections due to their apparent isolation from jurisdictional waters.
However, the study found that they can be twice as effective in protecting downstream lake or river ecosystems than those directly connected to them. The study labeled them “pollution-catching powerhouses.” Their disconnectedness makes them more effective pollution traps.
Previously, I reported that the TCEQ found raw sewage leaking from a lift station and sewers in Colony Ridge. TCEQ estimated that 48,000 gallons escaped into the Lake Houston watershed, which supplies drinking water for two million people.
To report environmental violations to the EPA, see this page.
Another possibility: EPA may also be looking into whether Colony Ridge displaced any threatened or endangered species. Texas Parks and Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service say twelve threatened and endangered species live in Liberty County. Some reportedly live in the Colony Ridge Area.
For More Information
Since 2020, I have created more than 75 posts about different aspects of Colony Ridge – from missing drainage studies to sewage spills, rivers of mud, and more. To see links to all the posts, visit this page.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/9/2024
2324 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231207-Screenshot-2023-12-07-at-11.22.17%E2%80%AFAM.jpg?fit=1100%2C616&ssl=16161100adminadmin2024-01-09 17:38:312024-01-09 17:54:31At Least Seven Investigations Launched into Colony Ridge
Loop 494, Kingwood Drive Construction Virtually Complete
After more than four years of traffic disruption, TxDOT announced it has completed construction of Loop 494 and Kingwood Drive improvements. Some cleanup and a small section of sidewalk construction remains. So does the switchover from old traffic lights to new. But those things are minor compared to the heavy lifting that started in late 2019.
The result: better, safer, wider access to Kingwood and area businesses with improved drainage.
Photos from 1/10/2024
Here are some drone shots of the $11.2 million project.
Fountain and Irrigation Repairs Up Next
KSA still needs to restore electrical service to the south (left) fountain and will have to repair/upgrade the irrigation systems on both sides of the road. The repairs were postponed while construction was still in progress. KSA has already engaged engineering and landscaping experts to assess the needs and develop estimates.
It was a long slog, but the improvements should help the community and businesses for decades to come. At press time, TxDOT could not be reached regarding when it would finish site cleanup.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/11/24
2326 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Guess Where the Wetlands Were?
Guess where the wetlands were? Today, I flew over Northpark Drive and Sorters-McClellan Road near the San Jacinto West Fork. I photographed a new development called Northpark South. Much of this land is in the floodplain. And much was also classified as wetlands for sixty years.
Can you guess which portion?
Here’s what the area looked like before clearing. Note any similarities? Like that curve in between the empty area and the tree line near the road?
That open area directly coincides with the soupy area in the first image.
And to think, less than a half inch of rain two days ago (January 8) produced all the muck you see in the first photo. Since then, we’ve had sunny skies, low humidity, and high, desiccating winds. They dried out the rest of the site. But not the wetlands.
Contractors at Northpark South have been trying to cover up the wetlands for six weeks with little luck. Here’s a closer shot from the reverse angle.
Construction plans show that homes will be built over the wetlands.
Wetlands Documented Since Early 1960s
USGS has documented wetlands on this property since at least 1961, as you can see in this topographic map viewer.
However the developer apparently has not received a wetland development permit from the Army Corps. The developer’s drainage impact analysis does even not mention the word “wetland.”
Problems When Building Over Wetlands
I’ve previously posted about the problems of building over wetlands. These pictures make another potent reminder. Problems include shifting slabs; windows, cabinets and doors that stick; cracked driveways; mold; erosion; clogged storm drains; downstream flooding and more.
Before Thanksgiving, I consulted a wetlands expert about this property. The expert said, “I would NOT feel safe living on top of a former wetland this close to the river. NO WAY! The land has a memory, deep in its soils, and I would expect future issues.”
I can see the cracks in wallboard already. No wonder the developer (Century Land Holdings of Texas LLC) urges people to buy homes over the internet, sight unseen! Buyer beware.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/10/2024
1325 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.
At Least Seven Investigations Launched into Colony Ridge
Today, Harris County joined the growing list of governmental agencies looking into Colony Ridge.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) have already concluded their investigations and filed Federal lawsuits against the troubled developer.
On December 29, 2023, the New York Post reported that the Internal Revenue Service, Army Corps of Engineers, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality have all launched their own Colony Ridge investigations. Word on the street has it that even more investigations by other Federal agencies are underway.
Then on January 5, 2024, the Daily Wire reported that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has opened an investigation into Colony Ridge.
Finally, just today (1/9/24), Harris County Commissioners Court discussed investigating the flooding, housing and environmental impacts of Colony Ridge on Harris County. The County Administrators Office and Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey agreed to discuss forming a task force. They would then return to Commissioners Court for final approval of their task force recommendations.
Thrust of Many Investigations Still Uncertain
However, with the exception of the DOJ and CFPB, the direction of many of these investigations remains unknown.
For instance, the EPA could be investigating any of several different allegations, including wetlands, endangered species, and pollution violations.
Colony Ridge, which has grown at least 50% larger than Manhattan in a decade, has filled in ponds and wetlands. While the Army Corps bears initial responsibility for investigating wetlands violations, ultimately the EPA reviews permit applications under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
Recently, the developer has been pushing into wetlands near Tarkington Bayou. I took the three photos below during in October 2023 while flying over the bayou. Despite a punishing drought, you can still see evidence of ponding.
A University of Waterloo (Ontario) study found that small isolated wetlands that are full for only part of the year are often the first to be removed for development. They enjoy fewer legal protections due to their apparent isolation from jurisdictional waters.
However, the study found that they can be twice as effective in protecting downstream lake or river ecosystems than those directly connected to them. The study labeled them “pollution-catching powerhouses.” Their disconnectedness makes them more effective pollution traps.
Previously, I reported that the TCEQ found raw sewage leaking from a lift station and sewers in Colony Ridge. TCEQ estimated that 48,000 gallons escaped into the Lake Houston watershed, which supplies drinking water for two million people.
To report environmental violations to the EPA, see this page.
Another possibility: EPA may also be looking into whether Colony Ridge displaced any threatened or endangered species. Texas Parks and Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service say twelve threatened and endangered species live in Liberty County. Some reportedly live in the Colony Ridge Area.
For More Information
Since 2020, I have created more than 75 posts about different aspects of Colony Ridge – from missing drainage studies to sewage spills, rivers of mud, and more. To see links to all the posts, visit this page.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/9/2024
2324 Days since Hurricane Harvey