1/11/2026 – At the end of 2025, the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) issued an update on the status of four flood-mitigation projects. During Hurricane Harvey and again in May 2024, SJRA came under withering criticism for releases from Lake Conroe exceeding 70,000 cubic feet per second that flooded downstream residents.
The four projects represent different ways to offset similar releases in the future and their adverse effects. They include:
The City of Houston is currently performing a project to add new spillway gates to increase the controlled release capacity of the Lake Houston dam. The goal of this Joint Reservoir Operations Study is to determine the most efficient and safe operation of Lake Conroe in series with Lake Houston once the new gates are installed.
The study will evaluate the feasibility of prereleases including impacts on water supply. The study will also develop a forecasting tool for Lake Houston and support development of the gate operations policy for the proposed Lake Houston dam gates.
Black & Veatch is handling the million-dollar study for SJRA, City of Houston, City of Humble and the Texas Water Development Board. The engineering company received a notice to proceed in August 2025 and expects to complete the project by December 2027.
Black & Veatch is also handling the engineering for the City of Houston on the project to add more flood gates to the Lake Houston Dam. The company has completed preliminary engineering. Mayor Whitmire expects them to finish detailed engineering by the end of this year.
For more on the Joint Reservoir Operations Study, see:
This project explored multiple alternative sites for dams along Spring Creek with the potential to reduce flooding. The two most cost effective alternatives were on Birch and Walnut Creeks. SJRA released its draft report to the Texas Water Development Board in June 2025. Its final report is due next month.
For more on the Spring Creek Dams Site Study, see:
Upper San Jacinto River Basin Regional Sedimentation Study
According to the Army Corps, conveyance of the San Jacinto West Fork between Humble and Kingwood was reduced 90% due to sedimentation. That exacerbated flooding. Since then, SJRA has evaluated sedimentation throughout the river basin to learn:
Where the most sediment comes from
How to prioritize watersheds for improvements
Conceptual solutions
The goal: reduce loss of floodway conveyance in the basin.
SJRA started the project in May 2022. It hopes to deliver a draft report to the TWDB by October 2026 and the final report by June 2027.
The sand trap project is one potential way to remove material from the river in order to improve conveyance and reduce the risk of flooding.
SJRA is working with HCFCD and City of Houston to plan, design, and construct one or more “sand traps” along the West Fork.
A major component of the project is coordinating with Aggregate Production Operations (APOs) along the river. A public/private partnership would provide for operation and maintenance of the proposed sand trap(s). A conceptual design effort to select the most feasible site(s) for installation of sand trap(s) has been completed, and preliminary design is scheduled for completion in early 2026.
It’s important to recognize that more than eight years after Harvey, not one of these studies is complete yet. And the studies are just the first step in a multi-step process that includes final engineering, funding, land acquisition, and construction for most of these.
At this rate, it could take decades before we see actual flood-mitigation benefits. We really need to find ways to speed up this process.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/11/26
3057 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/LC-Dam-e1719277556742.jpg?fit=1200%2C549&ssl=15491200adminadmin2026-01-11 19:19:532026-01-11 19:23:35SJRA Update on Status of Four Flood-Mitigation Projects
1/10/26 – The impenetrable tangle of Frankenvines in front of Kingwood High School met its match today. Mayor John Whitmire joined Houston City Council Members Fred Flickinger and Twila Carter,City Parks Department workers, and an army of more than a hundred volunteers to tackle the thorny problem.
Young and old, men and women, they all teamed up for Median Madness Round 5. To help beautify the heart of Kingwood, improve traffic visibility … and have fun!
People Working Together to Improve Their Community
Today’s event focused on Kingwood Drive between Bens Branch and Valley Manor.
After a briefing in the KHS parking lot…
Council Member Flickinger with the poster delivered the “Safety Moment”
…the team members donned their work gloves, grabbed their lopping shears and got down to work. Within minutes, the group spread out and went into attack mode.
The activity stretched for blocks.
Brush piles reached shoulder height in practically no time.
Chris Bloch of Trees for Kingwood helped organize the event.
The pictures below show the energy and enthusiasm evident everywhere during the day.
Mayor Whitmire (center)He traded his business suit and gavel for blue jeans and lopping shears, joking that this kept him “grounded.”City Parks Department workers cut vines with chain saws on poles as volunteers pulled them down and piled them.The Mayor and Council Member Carter (left) work with Bloch to pull down a major vine.Fred Flickingers granddaughter joined Council Member Carter (center) and Danell Fields (right) to battle two mighty vines.Council Member Carter with Council Member Flickinger’s granddaughter, Abigail Durham.
Thank You!
Thanks go to Mayor Whitmire, Council Member Flickinger, Council Member Carter, the Kingwood Young Men’s Service League, Trees for Kingwood, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Greenbelt Guardians and a host of individual volunteers. You all came together on a blustery Saturday morning to make a huge difference for your community.
You exemplify the best of Kingwood, Houston, and Texas. Thank you!
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/10/26
3056 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/20260110-DSC_4192.jpg?fit=1100%2C733&ssl=17331100adminadmin2026-01-10 14:03:122026-01-11 07:57:34Frankenvines Meet Their Match: Median Madness Round 5 Report
1/9/2026 – On 1/8/2026, Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey put Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) on notice that he is concerned about HCFCD’s ability to meet state and federal grant deadlines for an estimated quarter billion dollars of flood control projects. Missing the deadlines could possibly result in the loss of funding.
Ramsey cautioned the court, “If we don’t meet the deadline, $250 million is at risk.”
Ramsey said he plans to discuss the progress of the projects in every Commissioners Court meeting between now and the February 28, 2027, deadline.
The projects are being funded by Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR). The grants originate from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), but are administered by the Texas General Land Office. Project deadlines have already been extended twice and HCFCD has been warned in writing not to ask for more extensions.
The eleven CDBG-DR projects include:
Status from HCFCD as of 1/9/26. Estimated grant values from GLO as of 10/25.SWDB means stormwater detention basin. CCI means channel conveyance improvements, i.e., widening, deepening and/or lining with concrete.
Ramsey’s estimate of $250 million at risk differs from the total grant value of $322 million. He must conservatively assume that at least some of the projects can be completed and are therefore not at risk. However, he didn’t say which he thought were safe.
Typical Timetables
It typically takes 3-4 months to advertise a project for bids, approve the winning bidder, and sign the contract. Once the contractor mobilizes for the job, it can easily take another year or more to complete it. For example, the Mercer Basin on Cypress Creek was started in 2022 on an expedited basis. It was expected to take a year. But it was not yet complete at the end of 2025. So you can see Ramsey’s concern.
In contrast, most of these projects will have less than a year for construction unless HUD grants another extension. In the past, Commissioners have expressed reservations about starting projects they may not have money to complete.
Flood Control’s Reaction to Concerns
Regardless, Flood Control District Executive Director Tina Petersen expressed confidence that she could make the February 2027 deadline.
She thanked Commissioner Adrian Garcia for the recognition that HCFCD is getting seven projects amended into the GLO’s Action Plan. But those are CDBG-Mitigation projects, not CDBG-Disaster Relief projects, which have a much tighter deadline.
Without distinguishing the difference, she then segued to Disaster Relief. She thanked Garcia again for recognizing that the Brookglen bid had just been approved. Brookglen IS a DR project.
She then addressed Ramsey’s concern. “We do have a plan for moving forward with the remainder of the projects,” said Petersen without offering specifics. “Right now, we have four projects out for bid that were originally supposed to be going out this month, but we were successful in expediting the schedule and pushing fast and pushing hard with the cooperation of our purchasing director to get those out in December.”
Petersen continued, “So, we are moving ahead of schedule right now. We have an additional, I believe, five projects left to get out in Quarter One. And right now, we are on track to do so.”
Dr. Tina Petersen, Executive Director of HCFCD, addressing Commissioners Court on deadline issue.
Petersen Points to Process Improvements
Petersen then shifted the discussion to process improvements. “We are working closely to identify places where we’re having challenges and then working collaboratively to make sure that we chase those issues down.”
She specifically mentioned how she was working with the county’s purchasing department to speed up the bidding and approval process and pointed to Item 132 on the agenda. It gives authority to the purchasing agent to award construction contracts to the lowest responsible bidder for 29 CDBG-DR and -MIT projects.
“Every day, every week that we can save in this process makes a difference,” said Petersen. “We think that … will save us between 2 and 6 weeks, and that will matter to us.”
“Every Single Day Could Make a Difference”
Garcia put a finer point on it. He said, “Every single day could make a difference.”
Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones thanked Petersen for her efforts, but also said, “Every time I see you, Doctor Petersen, I feel like there’s a clock ticking in my head.”
This is the best drama in town.
During the meeting yesterday, it became clear that Ramsey was frustrated with the operation and efficiency of many county departments. He wants no more excuses or finger pointing. And he’s doing whatever he can to keep the county from losing that CDBG-DR money.
In a separate phone call Ramsey said, “Don’t tell me what you’re going to do. Tell me what you’ve done. Bid the jobs!”
HCFCD started working on these projects in 2022. But only one is now under construction. With only 13 months left to move millions of cubic yards of dirt, Petersen claims HCFCD is “ahead of schedule,” Incredibly, 9 of 11 projects have still not been awarded to contractors.
To see video of this discussion in Commissioners Court, go to https://harriscountytx.new.swagit.com/videos/371451. Then click on Emergency Supplemental Items, Part 2 of 2 and scroll to 1:44:30 for the start of the discussion.
Part of a Broader Slowdown
The Flood Control District listed only thirteen items on its part of the agenda for the January 8 meeting.
Three had to do with interlocal agreements
Three dealt with CenterPoint agreements
Two dealt with contract modifications
Three dealt with buyouts of individual properties
One had to do with safety
One delegated authority to Harris County Purchasing to award construction contracts to the lowest responsible bidder for 29 CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT projects (Item 132 mentioned above).
After passage of the flood bond in 2018, HCFCD routinely had 80+ items on the agenda. But then in 2021, the Democratic majority on Commissioners Court made a management change. And the rate of project execution has slowed ever since.
Now is the time for Dr. Petersen to show that she’s worth her $434,000 annual salary. Can she save a quarter billion dollars? Only time will tell. Now comes the real heavy lifting.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/9/26
3055 Days since 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/2026/01/HC-DR-Project-Timetable-as-of-1.8.26-e1768001641101.png?fit=1100%2C596&ssl=15961100adminadmin2026-01-09 17:39:562026-01-09 19:54:54Ramsey Sounds Alarm Over Deadline That Could Cost County $250 Million
SJRA Update on Status of Four Flood-Mitigation Projects
1/11/2026 – At the end of 2025, the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) issued an update on the status of four flood-mitigation projects. During Hurricane Harvey and again in May 2024, SJRA came under withering criticism for releases from Lake Conroe exceeding 70,000 cubic feet per second that flooded downstream residents.
The four projects represent different ways to offset similar releases in the future and their adverse effects. They include:
Joint-Reservoir-Operations Study
The City of Houston is currently performing a project to add new spillway gates to increase the controlled release capacity of the Lake Houston dam. The goal of this Joint Reservoir Operations Study is to determine the most efficient and safe operation of Lake Conroe in series with Lake Houston once the new gates are installed.
The study will evaluate the feasibility of prereleases including impacts on water supply. The study will also develop a forecasting tool for Lake Houston and support development of the gate operations policy for the proposed Lake Houston dam gates.
Black & Veatch is handling the million-dollar study for SJRA, City of Houston, City of Humble and the Texas Water Development Board. The engineering company received a notice to proceed in August 2025 and expects to complete the project by December 2027.
Black & Veatch is also handling the engineering for the City of Houston on the project to add more flood gates to the Lake Houston Dam. The company has completed preliminary engineering. Mayor Whitmire expects them to finish detailed engineering by the end of this year.
For more on the Joint Reservoir Operations Study, see:
Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) Abridged Application
FIF Final Application
Joint Ops Project Benefit Area Map
Spring Creek Flood Control Dams Feasibility Study
This project explored multiple alternative sites for dams along Spring Creek with the potential to reduce flooding. The two most cost effective alternatives were on Birch and Walnut Creeks. SJRA released its draft report to the Texas Water Development Board in June 2025. Its final report is due next month.
For more on the Spring Creek Dams Site Study, see:
FIF Abridged Application
FIF Final Application
Spring Creek Project Benefit Area Map
www.SpringCreekStudy.com
Upper San Jacinto River Basin Regional Sedimentation Study
According to the Army Corps, conveyance of the San Jacinto West Fork between Humble and Kingwood was reduced 90% due to sedimentation. That exacerbated flooding. Since then, SJRA has evaluated sedimentation throughout the river basin to learn:
The goal: reduce loss of floodway conveyance in the basin.
SJRA started the project in May 2022. It hopes to deliver a draft report to the TWDB by October 2026 and the final report by June 2027.
For more information, see:
sanjacintosedimentationstudy.com
FIF Abridged Application
FIF Final Application
Sedimentation Study Project Benefit Area Map
Sand-Trap Project
The sand trap project is one potential way to remove material from the river in order to improve conveyance and reduce the risk of flooding.
SJRA is working with HCFCD and City of Houston to plan, design, and construct one or more “sand traps” along the West Fork.
A major component of the project is coordinating with Aggregate Production Operations (APOs) along the river. A public/private partnership would provide for operation and maintenance of the proposed sand trap(s). A conceptual design effort to select the most feasible site(s) for installation of sand trap(s) has been completed, and preliminary design is scheduled for completion in early 2026.
For more information, see:
Sand Trap Conceptual Design Report Comments Received
Sand Trap Summary Document for Stakeholders (11-08-22)
SJR and Tributaries Sediment Removal and Sand Trap Development Conceptual Design Report
Sediment Trap Pilot Project Preliminary Design Scope
The Studies are Only Step One
It’s important to recognize that more than eight years after Harvey, not one of these studies is complete yet. And the studies are just the first step in a multi-step process that includes final engineering, funding, land acquisition, and construction for most of these.
At this rate, it could take decades before we see actual flood-mitigation benefits. We really need to find ways to speed up this process.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/11/26
3057 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Frankenvines Meet Their Match: Median Madness Round 5 Report
1/10/26 – The impenetrable tangle of Frankenvines in front of Kingwood High School met its match today. Mayor John Whitmire joined Houston City Council Members Fred Flickinger and Twila Carter, City Parks Department workers, and an army of more than a hundred volunteers to tackle the thorny problem.
Young and old, men and women, they all teamed up for Median Madness Round 5. To help beautify the heart of Kingwood, improve traffic visibility … and have fun!
People Working Together to Improve Their Community
Today’s event focused on Kingwood Drive between Bens Branch and Valley Manor.
After a briefing in the KHS parking lot…
…the team members donned their work gloves, grabbed their lopping shears and got down to work. Within minutes, the group spread out and went into attack mode.
Brush piles reached shoulder height in practically no time.
The pictures below show the energy and enthusiasm evident everywhere during the day.
Thank You!
Thanks go to Mayor Whitmire, Council Member Flickinger, Council Member Carter, the Kingwood Young Men’s Service League, Trees for Kingwood, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Greenbelt Guardians and a host of individual volunteers. You all came together on a blustery Saturday morning to make a huge difference for your community.
You exemplify the best of Kingwood, Houston, and Texas. Thank you!
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/10/26
3056 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Ramsey Sounds Alarm Over Deadline That Could Cost County $250 Million
1/9/2026 – On 1/8/2026, Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey put Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) on notice that he is concerned about HCFCD’s ability to meet state and federal grant deadlines for an estimated quarter billion dollars of flood control projects. Missing the deadlines could possibly result in the loss of funding.
Ramsey cautioned the court, “If we don’t meet the deadline, $250 million is at risk.”
The projects are being funded by Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR). The grants originate from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), but are administered by the Texas General Land Office. Project deadlines have already been extended twice and HCFCD has been warned in writing not to ask for more extensions.
The eleven CDBG-DR projects include:
Ramsey’s estimate of $250 million at risk differs from the total grant value of $322 million. He must conservatively assume that at least some of the projects can be completed and are therefore not at risk. However, he didn’t say which he thought were safe.
Typical Timetables
It typically takes 3-4 months to advertise a project for bids, approve the winning bidder, and sign the contract. Once the contractor mobilizes for the job, it can easily take another year or more to complete it. For example, the Mercer Basin on Cypress Creek was started in 2022 on an expedited basis. It was expected to take a year. But it was not yet complete at the end of 2025. So you can see Ramsey’s concern.
In contrast, most of these projects will have less than a year for construction unless HUD grants another extension. In the past, Commissioners have expressed reservations about starting projects they may not have money to complete.
Flood Control’s Reaction to Concerns
Regardless, Flood Control District Executive Director Tina Petersen expressed confidence that she could make the February 2027 deadline.
She thanked Commissioner Adrian Garcia for the recognition that HCFCD is getting seven projects amended into the GLO’s Action Plan. But those are CDBG-Mitigation projects, not CDBG-Disaster Relief projects, which have a much tighter deadline.
Without distinguishing the difference, she then segued to Disaster Relief. She thanked Garcia again for recognizing that the Brookglen bid had just been approved. Brookglen IS a DR project.
She then addressed Ramsey’s concern. “We do have a plan for moving forward with the remainder of the projects,” said Petersen without offering specifics. “Right now, we have four projects out for bid that were originally supposed to be going out this month, but we were successful in expediting the schedule and pushing fast and pushing hard with the cooperation of our purchasing director to get those out in December.”
Petersen continued, “So, we are moving ahead of schedule right now. We have an additional, I believe, five projects left to get out in Quarter One. And right now, we are on track to do so.”
Petersen Points to Process Improvements
Petersen then shifted the discussion to process improvements. “We are working closely to identify places where we’re having challenges and then working collaboratively to make sure that we chase those issues down.”
She specifically mentioned how she was working with the county’s purchasing department to speed up the bidding and approval process and pointed to Item 132 on the agenda. It gives authority to the purchasing agent to award construction contracts to the lowest responsible bidder for 29 CDBG-DR and -MIT projects.
“Every day, every week that we can save in this process makes a difference,” said Petersen. “We think that … will save us between 2 and 6 weeks, and that will matter to us.”
“Every Single Day Could Make a Difference”
Garcia put a finer point on it. He said, “Every single day could make a difference.”
Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones thanked Petersen for her efforts, but also said, “Every time I see you, Doctor Petersen, I feel like there’s a clock ticking in my head.”
This is the best drama in town.
During the meeting yesterday, it became clear that Ramsey was frustrated with the operation and efficiency of many county departments. He wants no more excuses or finger pointing. And he’s doing whatever he can to keep the county from losing that CDBG-DR money.
In a separate phone call Ramsey said, “Don’t tell me what you’re going to do. Tell me what you’ve done. Bid the jobs!”
HCFCD started working on these projects in 2022. But only one is now under construction. With only 13 months left to move millions of cubic yards of dirt, Petersen claims HCFCD is “ahead of schedule,” Incredibly, 9 of 11 projects have still not been awarded to contractors.
To see video of this discussion in Commissioners Court, go to https://harriscountytx.new.swagit.com/videos/371451. Then click on Emergency Supplemental Items, Part 2 of 2 and scroll to 1:44:30 for the start of the discussion.
Part of a Broader Slowdown
The Flood Control District listed only thirteen items on its part of the agenda for the January 8 meeting.
After passage of the flood bond in 2018, HCFCD routinely had 80+ items on the agenda. But then in 2021, the Democratic majority on Commissioners Court made a management change. And the rate of project execution has slowed ever since.
Now is the time for Dr. Petersen to show that she’s worth her $434,000 annual salary. Can she save a quarter billion dollars? Only time will tell. Now comes the real heavy lifting.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/9/26
3055 Days since 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.