Along Halls Bayou, HCFCD is constructing a large stormwater detention basin and making channel conveyance improvements as part of Bond Project C-25. The detention basin will reduce the risk of flooding by taking in excess stormwater during heavy rain events and then releasing it slowly back to the channel when the threat of flooding has passed.
Looking S across Isom Street toward Halls Bayou at far end of detention pond.Photo Taken 3/5/22.Reverse shot. Looking N from over Halls Bayou. Photo taken 3/5/22.At the south end of the detention basin, before Halls Bayou comes out of its banks, water will pour over the wide concrete spillway and fill up the pond. As the level of water in Halls falls, water will go back into the bayou through the twin culverts.
Projected Completion Dates
HCFCD expects to complete construction of the stormwater detention basin during spring 2022 and channel conveyance improvements during fall 2022.
The $6 million stormwater detention basin project (P518-11-00) will provide regional mitigation benefits and also mitigate increased stormwater coming from drainage improvements in the Western Homes subdivision along Aldine Mail Route Road.
The basin will hold 180 acre-feet, or nearly 58.7 million gallons, of stormwater that might otherwise flood homes and businesses. It will be a wet-bottom basin with a vegetated shelf.
Channel Improvement Highlights
North of the basin, HCFCD will shift Tributary P118-21-00 west and enlarge it to increase its capacity. Along Aldine Mail Route Road and north of the road, the channel will be extended as a box culvert system to the Western Homes subdivision. The channel will have a 140-foot top width and 15-foot depth.
Looking east from the south side of the West Fork of the San Jacinto during Harvey. Photo courtesy of Harris County Flood Control District.
Unequal Impact of Mental Health Challenges
Section TS.B.5.2 says, “Mental health challenges increase with warming temperatures (high confidence), trauma associated with extreme weather (very high confidence), and loss of livelihoods and culture (high confidence). Distress sufficient to impair mental health has been caused by climate-related ecological grief associated with environmental change (e.g. solastalgia)…” [Emphasis added.]
The section continues, “Vulnerability to mental health effects of climate change varies by region and population, with evidence that Indigenous Peoples, agricultural communities, first responders, women, and members of minority groups experience greater impacts (high confidence).”
What Does Solastalgia Mean?
I’d never seen the word “solastalgia” before and had to look it up. It was difficult. Websters Third International Dictionary didn’t have it. The 20-volume Oxford English Dictionary didn’t have it either. But Wikipedia did have a discussion of it. It’s a neologism – a new word entering the language.
According to Wikipedia, “solastalgia” was coined by philosopher Glenn Albrecht in his 2003 book Solastalgia: a new concept in human health and identity.[1] He describes it as “the homesickness you have when you are still at home” and your home environment is changing in ways you find distressing. In many cases, this relates to climate change, but more localized events such as volcanic eruptions, drought or destructive mining techniques can cause solastalgia as well.[2]
Solastalgia refers to the “distress specifically caused by environmental change while still in a home environment.”[3]
You like the serenity of living near water. Then Harvey floods your home without warning in the middle of the night and you narrowly escape with your life.
Solastalgia literally means “loss of solace.” Solace, in turn, means “comfort or consolation in a time of distress.” For instance, after the death of parent, you might seek solace by returning to the place where you grew up. But when you get there, you find a strip mine has obliterated the entire area. Now your grief doubles and you feel “solastalgia,” the loss of solace.
Distress Related to Income Level
Solastalgia affects people differently. Some groups are inherently more vulnerable and, therefore, may experience a greater sense of loss and grief. This study from a group of scholars at UCLA examined the impact of wildfires on psychological well-being.
They found a marked difference in the way high- and low-income groups processed loss. Those making more than $80,000 a year had resources to rebuild and experienced less grief. Those making less felt lost. The adverse financial impact of a fire felt insurmountable and left them with “clinically significant psychological distress.”
Those who lived in Houston during Hurricane Harvey can relate to this. Many are still trying to find the help to rebuild their homes and lives. The lucky ones moved on. Others still live among mold and rot, constant reminders of the day their lives changed forever.
I previously talked about flood psychology in terms of post traumatic stress disorder and re-traumatization. But I think solastalgia fits what I see better. Even 4.5 years after the flood. What do you think?
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/4/22
1648 Days after Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/HumbleFloodFromHCFCD-e1761946748900.jpg?fit=1100%2C821&ssl=18211100adminadmin2022-03-04 15:29:222022-03-04 15:42:28Word of the Day for Flood Victims: Solastalgia
Four months after Laurel Springs RV Resort contractors started tying into the Lakewood Cove storm sewer system, they may finally finish the job in the next few days. I spotted them yesterday and today, digging a trench from the pumps to the pond.
At their present rate of progress, and with gasoline prices spiraling out of control, one wonders whether RVs will be able to afford gas to get here when this job is complete.
Detention Pond Storm Sewer Tie In Started in Early December
Laurel Springs RV Resort detention pond drainage tie in as of 12/05/21. Contractor has tunneled under Laurel Springs Lane to Lakewood Cove storm sewer system on far side.Drainage plans approved by City of Houston for this portion of the job site. SE corner of detention pond below is in upper leftof diagram above.
Contractor Now Working on Approved Tie In
Wednesday around noon, 3/02/22, workers started excavating around the circular pump housing. By early morning 3/3/22, they had already laid the first section of pipe.By noon on 3/3/22, they had laid another section of pipe and were excavating their way to the corner of the pond.
Rec Center Being Framed Out
In separate news, workers started framing the RV Resort recreation building yesterday.
This shows the status on the morning of 3/3/22.
Spiraling Cost of Gasoline Could Affect Demand
I heard a story on the radio this morning that gasoline in Toronto has now topped $8.50 USD per gallon. With gasoline prices spiraling out of control, it’s unclear how many people will be traveling in RVs anytime soon. The larger ones get as little as 6 miles per gallon.
I remember taking a trip through the Yukon Territory several years ago when gasoline was half that price and seeing an RV fill up for more than $1000.
That’s comparable to the cost of a 2500 square-foot penthouse suite in a luxury 5-star hotel.
Now imagine doubling that cost to stay in something one tenth the size.
As they say in Hollywood, “Timing is everything in show business.” You could say the same for the RV park business.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/3/22
1647 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/2022/03/20220303-DJI_0535.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=17991200adminadmin2022-03-03 15:16:502022-03-03 15:31:20RV Resort Detention-Pond Drain Finally Being Installed in Approved Location
New Halls Bayou Detention Pond Rapidly Nearing Completion
Along Halls Bayou, HCFCD is constructing a large stormwater detention basin and making channel conveyance improvements as part of Bond Project C-25. The detention basin will reduce the risk of flooding by taking in excess stormwater during heavy rain events and then releasing it slowly back to the channel when the threat of flooding has passed.
I first covered this project six months ago when construction began. It’s come a long way since then.
Photos of Detention Basin Taken Saturday 3/5/22
Projected Completion Dates
HCFCD expects to complete construction of the stormwater detention basin during spring 2022 and channel conveyance improvements during fall 2022.
The $6 million stormwater detention basin project (P518-11-00) will provide regional mitigation benefits and also mitigate increased stormwater coming from drainage improvements in the Western Homes subdivision along Aldine Mail Route Road.
The basin will hold 180 acre-feet, or nearly 58.7 million gallons, of stormwater that might otherwise flood homes and businesses. It will be a wet-bottom basin with a vegetated shelf.
Channel Improvement Highlights
North of the basin, HCFCD will shift Tributary P118-21-00 west and enlarge it to increase its capacity. Along Aldine Mail Route Road and north of the road, the channel will be extended as a box culvert system to the Western Homes subdivision. The channel will have a 140-foot top width and 15-foot depth.
These projects are part the Watershed-Wide Project Implementation Program for Halls Bayou.
Project Locations
Regardless, activists in Halls claim they get no support from HCFCD and that places like Kingwood get all the flood bond money. As a consequence, the county administrator is revising the flood bond prioritization framework yet again to favor projects in Halls and other low-to-moderate income watersheds.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/5/2022
1649 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Word of the Day for Flood Victims: Solastalgia
I learned a new word today: solastalgia. I came across it while reading the UN Intergovernmental Panel 2022 Report on Climate Change. There it was on page 17 of the Technical Summary.
Unequal Impact of Mental Health Challenges
Section TS.B.5.2 says, “Mental health challenges increase with warming temperatures (high confidence), trauma associated with extreme weather (very high confidence), and loss of livelihoods and culture (high confidence). Distress sufficient to impair mental health has been caused by climate-related ecological grief associated with environmental change (e.g. solastalgia)…” [Emphasis added.]
The section continues, “Vulnerability to mental health effects of climate change varies by region and population, with evidence that Indigenous Peoples, agricultural communities, first responders, women, and members of minority groups experience greater impacts (high confidence).”
What Does Solastalgia Mean?
I’d never seen the word “solastalgia” before and had to look it up. It was difficult. Websters Third International Dictionary didn’t have it. The 20-volume Oxford English Dictionary didn’t have it either. But Wikipedia did have a discussion of it. It’s a neologism – a new word entering the language.
According to Wikipedia, “solastalgia” was coined by philosopher Glenn Albrecht in his 2003 book Solastalgia: a new concept in human health and identity.[1] He describes it as “the homesickness you have when you are still at home” and your home environment is changing in ways you find distressing. In many cases, this relates to climate change, but more localized events such as volcanic eruptions, drought or destructive mining techniques can cause solastalgia as well.[2]
Examples:
Deconstructing the Word
Solastalgia literally means “loss of solace.” Solace, in turn, means “comfort or consolation in a time of distress.” For instance, after the death of parent, you might seek solace by returning to the place where you grew up. But when you get there, you find a strip mine has obliterated the entire area. Now your grief doubles and you feel “solastalgia,” the loss of solace.
Distress Related to Income Level
Solastalgia affects people differently. Some groups are inherently more vulnerable and, therefore, may experience a greater sense of loss and grief. This study from a group of scholars at UCLA examined the impact of wildfires on psychological well-being.
They found a marked difference in the way high- and low-income groups processed loss. Those making more than $80,000 a year had resources to rebuild and experienced less grief. Those making less felt lost. The adverse financial impact of a fire felt insurmountable and left them with “clinically significant psychological distress.”
Those who lived in Houston during Hurricane Harvey can relate to this. Many are still trying to find the help to rebuild their homes and lives. The lucky ones moved on. Others still live among mold and rot, constant reminders of the day their lives changed forever.
I previously talked about flood psychology in terms of post traumatic stress disorder and re-traumatization. But I think solastalgia fits what I see better. Even 4.5 years after the flood. What do you think?
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/4/22
1648 Days after Hurricane Harvey
RV Resort Detention-Pond Drain Finally Being Installed in Approved Location
Four months after Laurel Springs RV Resort contractors started tying into the Lakewood Cove storm sewer system, they may finally finish the job in the next few days. I spotted them yesterday and today, digging a trench from the pumps to the pond.
At their present rate of progress, and with gasoline prices spiraling out of control, one wonders whether RVs will be able to afford gas to get here when this job is complete.
Troubled History of Project
The storm sewer tie in comes more than a month after an aborted attempt to dig a trench through the wall of their half-sized detention pond and install pipes that drained the resort’s stormwater directly into Edgewater Park. Both actions violated state and city permit requirements. They also caused the state, city and Harris County to launch four investigations into construction practices at the RV resort. Subsequently, the Harris County Attorney sent a cease-and-desist letter to the resort’s owner and threatened a lawsuit.
Detention Pond Storm Sewer Tie In Started in Early December
Contractor Now Working on Approved Tie In
Rec Center Being Framed Out
In separate news, workers started framing the RV Resort recreation building yesterday.
Spiraling Cost of Gasoline Could Affect Demand
I heard a story on the radio this morning that gasoline in Toronto has now topped $8.50 USD per gallon. With gasoline prices spiraling out of control, it’s unclear how many people will be traveling in RVs anytime soon. The larger ones get as little as 6 miles per gallon.
I remember taking a trip through the Yukon Territory several years ago when gasoline was half that price and seeing an RV fill up for more than $1000.
That’s comparable to the cost of a 2500 square-foot penthouse suite in a luxury 5-star hotel.
Now imagine doubling that cost to stay in something one tenth the size.
As they say in Hollywood, “Timing is everything in show business.” You could say the same for the RV park business.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/3/22
1647 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.