Montgomery County has just finished an Upper Taylor Gully clean out that will restore the conveyance in the channel which had become totally blocked.
The new commissioner in Montgomery County Precinct 4, Matt Gray, has adopted a much more active and collaborative role in flood mitigation than his predecessor.
Commissioner Gray’s crews inspected Taylor Gully above the Harris/Montgomery County line and found it totally blocked in places from accumulated erosion and littered with illegally dumped trash.
Gray then dispatched more workers to remove blockages. As a result, residents on both sides of the county line will sleep a little better if and when the next hurricane or tropical storm strikes.
The area they addressed is Woodridge Village, the same area where Harris County Flood Control is working with Sprint Sand and Gravel to double the existing detention basin capacity.
While Harris County Flood Control and the City of Houston own the area around the main ditch, Montgomery County owns the yellow areas (see below).
Pictures below were taken near the blue dot in the center. Montgomery County owns area in yellow.HCFCD and City of Houston own the blue area.
Pictures of Cleanup, Clean Out Effort
Kennedy Williams with Commissioner Gray’s office provided the pictures below. The effort began with inmates removing several truckloads of old illegally dumped tires, trash and signs.
Prisoners removing old tiresThen crews mowed banksof the outfall ditch.Finally, an excavator and front-end loader removed accumulated sedimentNote how high the dirt line was. Sediment completely blocked the 36-inch outfall pipe.
A Timely, Valuable Job
The Upper Taylor Gully cleanup and clean-out efforts are timely for several reasons. We are:
Approaching the peak of hurricane season on September 10th.
At the fourth anniversary of the Elm Grove floods that damaged up to 600 homes twice in 2019 – between May 7th and Tropical Storm Imelda.
Watching an area of low pressure move into the Gulf that has a 90% chance of turning into a tropical storm or hurricane in the next 48 hours.
While the National Hurricane Center projects that it will miss Houston to the east, the projected impact area has been shifting west in the last 24 hours.
Gray’s effort will help restore conveyance of the Upper Taylor Gully channel to its design specs. It will also help reduce flood risk for hundreds of families should another flood strike the area.
Thank you, Commissioner Gray!
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/26/2023
2188 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 1437 since Imelda
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/20230825-Taylor-Gully-Outfall.jpg?fit=1100%2C825&ssl=18251100adminadmin2023-08-26 15:28:012023-08-26 15:28:02Upper Taylor Gully Clean Out by MoCo Precinct 4
This is a bit off topic for a flood blog, but it affects tens of thousands of readers. Late yesterday, after multiple heat records were broken across the region, the City of Houston announced water-use restrictions going into effect Sunday, August 27, 2023. Let me address the heat first, water restrictions second. Then I’ll discuss rain chances and the tropics.
Heat Records Shattered Across Houston Region
Yesterday, the Houston area experienced another unrelenting afternoon of scorching temperatures. Many areas reached the mid- to upper-100’s with a few areas into the low 110’s.
Afternoon daily temperature records were shattered at many sites – many by several degrees.
Jeff Lindner, Harris County Meteorologist
High Temperatures on Thursday, 8/24/23
BUSH IAH: 109 (tied the all time record high, broke daily record high of 105 from 1980)
Huntsville: 111 (shattered record high of 102 from 2011…daily record high broken by 9 degrees)
College Station: 111 (broke record high of 107 from 2010)
Hobby: 107 (broke record high of 100 from 1980)
Conroe: 108 (broke record high of 105 from 1922…101 year old record)
Brenham: 107 (broke record high of 106 from 1980)
Sugar Land: 107 (broke record high of 101 from 2011)
Wharton: 106 (shattered the record high of 99 from 1911…112 year old record)
Cleveland: 109 (broke record high of 104 from 1980)
Crockett: 109 (broke record high of 106 from 2011)
CoH Water-Use Restrictions
According to a City of Houston press release, Houston has entered Stage Two of the City’s Drought Contingency Plan. Due to intense heat and a significant drop in annual rainfall. Effective August 27, 2023, mandatory water-use restrictions will go into effect. They apply to the entire City:
Limit outdoor watering to twice a week between the hours of 7PM and 5AM
Sundays and Thursdays for single-family residential customers with even-numbered addresses
Saturdays and Wednesdays for single-family residential customers with odd-numbered addresses
Tuesdays and Fridays for all other customers
Any outdoor water use that results in city water leaving your property (i.e., draining onto adjacent property, or streets or gutters) is unlawful.
Violations of watering times will get you a written warning for the first violation. Any subsequent violations are subject to a fine up to $2,000 for each occurrence; see Section 54.001 of the Texas Local Government Code.
Easy Ways to Conserve Water
Here are some easy ways to conserve water:
Check and repair water leaks, including dripping faucets and running toilets.
Check sprinkler heads to make sure water is not spraying into the street or directly into a storm drain and/or gutters.
Avoid washing sidewalks, patio furniture or cars. If you must wash your car, use a car wash. Most car washes use recycled water.
Run dishwashers and clothes washers only when full.
Take shorter showers.
Install a rain barrel and use it for outdoor watering.
Turn off the water when you are not using it (e.g., while brushing teeth or shaving).
For more water-saving tips, visit www.givewaterabreak.org.
Rain Chances
The high-pressure ridge parked over us for the last two months is giving a little bit of ground. Yesterday, thunderstorms finally overcame subsidence in the super-heated afternoon air mass. The gage at the West Lake Houston Parkway bridge recorded 0.44 inches of rain. Despite several downed trees, people cheered because of our deep drought.
According to Jeff Lindner, Harris County Meteorologist, as high pressure moves west, weak disturbances may approach the area from the east and northeast.
Combined with high temperatures in the low- to mid-100’s, scattered thunderstorms will be possible.
Wildfire Risk Remains
Thunderstorms come with the threat for lightning-induced wildfires. One such fire started yesterday in the Humble area. Lightning strikes will be possible each day and strong gusty winds can quickly fan fires.
Additionally, wind direction and speeds can quickly change near and around thunderstorms creating very hazardous conditions for ground crews. Multiple fires caused by a single thunderstorm can quickly overwhelm local resources. So use extra caution. Burn bans remain in effect.
Western Caribbean Sea
An area of low pressure has crossed Central America into the western Caribbean Sea. It should move north toward Florida. As of this morning, the National Hurricane Center gave it a 70% chance of formation during the next 7 days.
However, it remains unclear where exactly any surface low will form and how it may interact with the surrounding landmasses. Additionally, there may be wind shear to contend with in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. At this time, models predict varying intensity as the storm moves north.
Currently, this system does not pose a threat to Texas. But watch for winds that could enhance our local fire weather.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/25/2023based on information from Jeff Lindner, Harris County Meteorologist, and City of Houston
2187 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/two_atl_7d0-4.png?fit=900%2C665&ssl=1665900adminadmin2023-08-25 11:14:582023-08-25 11:24:44Heat Records and Water-Use Restrictions
By Jeff Lindner, Harris County Flood Control District’s Director Hydrologic Operations Division/Meteorologist, with a few minor edits for a non-technical audience.
There have been many comparisons of this summer to that of 2011 with respect to the heat and drought. Below, see the comparison of drought, water supply storage, and heat between 2011 and 2023.
Rainfall (Jan 1 to Aug 23)
2023 Rainfall
2023 Departure
2011 Rainfall
2011 Departure
BUSH IAH
29.97
-2.29
10.93
-21.33
Hobby
22.20
-11.83
10.47
-23.56
Conroe
28.41
-3.25
17.54
-14.69
College Station
21.47
-3.79
10.57
-14.12
As the table above shows, the rainfall departures in 2011 were significantly greater at all sites. That indicates a much more significant drought in 2011 than in 2023.
Rainfall departures in 2023 were tempered by a wet April and May over much of the area, while in 2011 drought conditions in the spring were some of the worst ever recorded with many areas recording their driest spring ever. 2011 was also preceded by dryness in late 2010 that helped to worsen the 2011 drought conditions and water supply concerns.
Rainfall at Hobby Airport in 2011 (Feb-May) was only 1.31 inches compared to 2023 of 11.85 inches.
While it is clear that 2011 was worse with respect to lack of rainfall, the abrupt change in rainfall from late spring into the summer of 2023 has “shocked” vegetation across the region.
Additionally, it has been hotter to some degree (especially overnight) in 2023 and the flash drought has been severe with nearly the entire area drought free in early June to all of the area in severe to extreme drought as of August 15th.
The very warm maximum temperatures and record “high” low temperatures over the region have resulted in rapid degradation of vegetation health. Tree losses were staggering in 2011 and the area is starting to see losses mounting in 2023, but far below what was experienced at this point in 2011.
Comparison of Drought Conditions, Extents
In 2011, exceptional drought covered most of the state.
In 2023, exceptional drought is minuscule by comparison.
Reservoir Storage
2011 also featured significant drawdown on area lakes and water supply reservoirs as the longer duration “hydrological” drought resulted in record or near record low inflows to several lakes.
As of this afternoon, statewide reservoir storage is at 69.8% of capacity compared to 65.4% on this date in 2011. A low of 58.5% was recorded on 11-18-2011.
The table below summarizes storage capacities for the first 2 weeks of August 2023 compared to 2011:
2023 Capacity
2023 Departure
2011 Capacity
2011 Departure
Conroe
92.5%
-1.60
82.0%
-4.05
Houston
96.4%
-.42
81.0%
-6.50
Livingston
89.0%
-2.38
90.0%
-2.08
Texanna
77.2%
-3.83
52.0%
-9.62
Somerville
79.0%
-2.90
49.0%
-8.06
Travis
39.4%
-47.96
43.0%
-44.50
Buchanan
49.7%
-22.55
51.0%
-23.00
Lake Conroe and Houston are much better off than in 2011 with Lake Livingston being nearly the same and both Somerville and Texanna significantly better off in 2023 versus 2011. This matches well with the rainfall trends experienced in late Spring over the area which for the most part filled Houston, Conroe, Somerville, and Texanna to near capacity, allowing the recent dryness to be well handled.
This was not the case in 2011 when a very dry spring and dryness from late 2010 was already depleting capacities prior to the summer increased demand and evaporation losses.
Central Texas Lake Levels Lower in 2023
However, across central Texas at Travis and Buchanan, conditions are worse at this point than in 2011. Travis is 3.46 ft lower in 2023 than in 2011 and Buchanan is 0.45 ft lower.
Central Texas and the highland lakes chain have been in drought conditions since the summer of 2022 and rainfall this spring was not as significant in this area compared to coastal areas of the state and SE TX, so lake inflows have been very low and evaporation and demand maximized.
Heat Comparison
In addition to the drought conditions, it has been brutally hot. But how does 2023 compare to 2011 with respect to 100 degree or hotter afternoons? This is only part of the story of the heat of 2023, as overnight low temperatures have also been warm.
College Station has recorded 42 days with a morning low at or above 80 degrees, BUSH IAH 41, and Hobby 44. However, Galveston has recorded 64 days this summer at or above 80 degrees for a morning low.
The above average Gulf of Mexico waters are resulting in exceptional overnight heat along the coast.
Jeff Lindner, Harris County Meteorologist
Days At or Above 100
Days At or Above 105
2023
2011
2023
2011
BUSH IAH
33
34
3
2
Hobby
28
14
1
0
Conroe
38
38
5
0
College Station
52
51
22
9
With the exception of Hobby Airport, 2011 and 2023 are nearly tied for the number of 100 degrees days up to 8-23. Hobby Airport has surpassed 2011 by 14 days.
More significant is the number of days at or above 105 with College Station crushing 2011 by 13 days. All sites have recorded more 105+ degree days in 2023 compared to 2011. The afternoon high temperatures have been higher in 2023 than in 2011 especially at Conroe and College Station.
Most of this has occurred in the last 3-4 weeks as the ground has dried and the influence of high dewpoints from the Gulf has become less. That has let afternoon temperatures spike higher compared to June and July.
By Jeff Lindner, Director Hydrologic Operations Division/Meteorologist, Harris County Flood Control District, on 8/23/2023
2185 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Drought-Comparison.png?fit=1100%2C800&ssl=18001100adminadmin2023-08-23 18:55:102023-08-23 18:56:39Drought Comparison – 2011 to 2023
Upper Taylor Gully Clean Out by MoCo Precinct 4
Montgomery County has just finished an Upper Taylor Gully clean out that will restore the conveyance in the channel which had become totally blocked.
The new commissioner in Montgomery County Precinct 4, Matt Gray, has adopted a much more active and collaborative role in flood mitigation than his predecessor.
Commissioner Gray’s crews inspected Taylor Gully above the Harris/Montgomery County line and found it totally blocked in places from accumulated erosion and littered with illegally dumped trash.
Gray then dispatched more workers to remove blockages. As a result, residents on both sides of the county line will sleep a little better if and when the next hurricane or tropical storm strikes.
The area they addressed is Woodridge Village, the same area where Harris County Flood Control is working with Sprint Sand and Gravel to double the existing detention basin capacity.
While Harris County Flood Control and the City of Houston own the area around the main ditch, Montgomery County owns the yellow areas (see below).
Pictures of Cleanup, Clean Out Effort
Kennedy Williams with Commissioner Gray’s office provided the pictures below. The effort began with inmates removing several truckloads of old illegally dumped tires, trash and signs.
A Timely, Valuable Job
The Upper Taylor Gully cleanup and clean-out efforts are timely for several reasons. We are:
While the National Hurricane Center projects that it will miss Houston to the east, the projected impact area has been shifting west in the last 24 hours.
Gray’s effort will help restore conveyance of the Upper Taylor Gully channel to its design specs. It will also help reduce flood risk for hundreds of families should another flood strike the area.
Thank you, Commissioner Gray!
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/26/2023
2188 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 1437 since Imelda
Heat Records and Water-Use Restrictions
This is a bit off topic for a flood blog, but it affects tens of thousands of readers. Late yesterday, after multiple heat records were broken across the region, the City of Houston announced water-use restrictions going into effect Sunday, August 27, 2023. Let me address the heat first, water restrictions second. Then I’ll discuss rain chances and the tropics.
Heat Records Shattered Across Houston Region
Yesterday, the Houston area experienced another unrelenting afternoon of scorching temperatures. Many areas reached the mid- to upper-100’s with a few areas into the low 110’s.
High Temperatures on Thursday, 8/24/23
BUSH IAH: 109 (tied the all time record high, broke daily record high of 105 from 1980)
Huntsville: 111 (shattered record high of 102 from 2011…daily record high broken by 9 degrees)
College Station: 111 (broke record high of 107 from 2010)
Hobby: 107 (broke record high of 100 from 1980)
Conroe: 108 (broke record high of 105 from 1922…101 year old record)
Brenham: 107 (broke record high of 106 from 1980)
Sugar Land: 107 (broke record high of 101 from 2011)
Wharton: 106 (shattered the record high of 99 from 1911…112 year old record)
Cleveland: 109 (broke record high of 104 from 1980)
Crockett: 109 (broke record high of 106 from 2011)
CoH Water-Use Restrictions
According to a City of Houston press release, Houston has entered Stage Two of the City’s Drought Contingency Plan. Due to intense heat and a significant drop in annual rainfall. Effective August 27, 2023, mandatory water-use restrictions will go into effect. They apply to the entire City:
Violations of watering times will get you a written warning for the first violation. Any subsequent violations are subject to a fine up to $2,000 for each occurrence; see Section 54.001 of the Texas Local Government Code.
Easy Ways to Conserve Water
Here are some easy ways to conserve water:
For more water-saving tips, visit www.givewaterabreak.org.
Rain Chances
The high-pressure ridge parked over us for the last two months is giving a little bit of ground. Yesterday, thunderstorms finally overcame subsidence in the super-heated afternoon air mass. The gage at the West Lake Houston Parkway bridge recorded 0.44 inches of rain. Despite several downed trees, people cheered because of our deep drought.
According to Jeff Lindner, Harris County Meteorologist, as high pressure moves west, weak disturbances may approach the area from the east and northeast.
Combined with high temperatures in the low- to mid-100’s, scattered thunderstorms will be possible.
Wildfire Risk Remains
Thunderstorms come with the threat for lightning-induced wildfires. One such fire started yesterday in the Humble area. Lightning strikes will be possible each day and strong gusty winds can quickly fan fires.
Additionally, wind direction and speeds can quickly change near and around thunderstorms creating very hazardous conditions for ground crews. Multiple fires caused by a single thunderstorm can quickly overwhelm local resources. So use extra caution. Burn bans remain in effect.
Western Caribbean Sea
An area of low pressure has crossed Central America into the western Caribbean Sea. It should move north toward Florida. As of this morning, the National Hurricane Center gave it a 70% chance of formation during the next 7 days.
However, it remains unclear where exactly any surface low will form and how it may interact with the surrounding landmasses. Additionally, there may be wind shear to contend with in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. At this time, models predict varying intensity as the storm moves north.
Currently, this system does not pose a threat to Texas. But watch for winds that could enhance our local fire weather.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/25/2023 based on information from Jeff Lindner, Harris County Meteorologist, and City of Houston
2187 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Drought Comparison – 2011 to 2023
By Jeff Lindner, Harris County Flood Control District’s Director Hydrologic Operations Division/Meteorologist, with a few minor edits for a non-technical audience.
There have been many comparisons of this summer to that of 2011 with respect to the heat and drought. Below, see the comparison of drought, water supply storage, and heat between 2011 and 2023.
Rainfall (Jan 1 to Aug 23)
Rainfall departures in 2023 were tempered by a wet April and May over much of the area, while in 2011 drought conditions in the spring were some of the worst ever recorded with many areas recording their driest spring ever. 2011 was also preceded by dryness in late 2010 that helped to worsen the 2011 drought conditions and water supply concerns.
Rainfall at Hobby Airport in 2011 (Feb-May) was only 1.31 inches compared to 2023 of 11.85 inches.
While it is clear that 2011 was worse with respect to lack of rainfall, the abrupt change in rainfall from late spring into the summer of 2023 has “shocked” vegetation across the region.
Additionally, it has been hotter to some degree (especially overnight) in 2023 and the flash drought has been severe with nearly the entire area drought free in early June to all of the area in severe to extreme drought as of August 15th.
The very warm maximum temperatures and record “high” low temperatures over the region have resulted in rapid degradation of vegetation health. Tree losses were staggering in 2011 and the area is starting to see losses mounting in 2023, but far below what was experienced at this point in 2011.
Comparison of Drought Conditions, Extents
In 2011, exceptional drought covered most of the state.
In 2023, exceptional drought is minuscule by comparison.
Reservoir Storage
2011 also featured significant drawdown on area lakes and water supply reservoirs as the longer duration “hydrological” drought resulted in record or near record low inflows to several lakes.
As of this afternoon, statewide reservoir storage is at 69.8% of capacity compared to 65.4% on this date in 2011. A low of 58.5% was recorded on 11-18-2011.
The table below summarizes storage capacities for the first 2 weeks of August 2023 compared to 2011:
Lake Conroe and Houston are much better off than in 2011 with Lake Livingston being nearly the same and both Somerville and Texanna significantly better off in 2023 versus 2011. This matches well with the rainfall trends experienced in late Spring over the area which for the most part filled Houston, Conroe, Somerville, and Texanna to near capacity, allowing the recent dryness to be well handled.
This was not the case in 2011 when a very dry spring and dryness from late 2010 was already depleting capacities prior to the summer increased demand and evaporation losses.
Central Texas Lake Levels Lower in 2023
However, across central Texas at Travis and Buchanan, conditions are worse at this point than in 2011. Travis is 3.46 ft lower in 2023 than in 2011 and Buchanan is 0.45 ft lower.
Central Texas and the highland lakes chain have been in drought conditions since the summer of 2022 and rainfall this spring was not as significant in this area compared to coastal areas of the state and SE TX, so lake inflows have been very low and evaporation and demand maximized.
Heat Comparison
In addition to the drought conditions, it has been brutally hot. But how does 2023 compare to 2011 with respect to 100 degree or hotter afternoons? This is only part of the story of the heat of 2023, as overnight low temperatures have also been warm.
College Station has recorded 42 days with a morning low at or above 80 degrees, BUSH IAH 41, and Hobby 44. However, Galveston has recorded 64 days this summer at or above 80 degrees for a morning low.
With the exception of Hobby Airport, 2011 and 2023 are nearly tied for the number of 100 degrees days up to 8-23. Hobby Airport has surpassed 2011 by 14 days.
More significant is the number of days at or above 105 with College Station crushing 2011 by 13 days. All sites have recorded more 105+ degree days in 2023 compared to 2011. The afternoon high temperatures have been higher in 2023 than in 2011 especially at Conroe and College Station.
Most of this has occurred in the last 3-4 weeks as the ground has dried and the influence of high dewpoints from the Gulf has become less. That has let afternoon temperatures spike higher compared to June and July.
By Jeff Lindner, Director Hydrologic Operations Division/Meteorologist, Harris County Flood Control District, on 8/23/2023
2185 Days since Hurricane Harvey