About a half block west of Kingwood High School, G-103-36-03, a small drainage ditch without a name, cuts under Kingwood Drive. More than a hundred homes near this ditch flooded during Harvey. Before Imelda, Harris County Flood Control District did an emergency “de-snag” on the ditch. That means they cleaned out fallen trees that were forming “beaver dams” and backing water up.
But the right of way under Kingwood Drive has remained about half blocked by sediment. That’s what those red warning signs represent in the picture below. Clearing the right of way is the City of Houston’s responsibility.
When I clicked on the upper warning sign, I found a link to this image from 2019.
Sediment and vegetation half blocking twin culverts under Kingwood Drive in 2019.Photo by HCFCDlooking south from north of westbound lanes.
Pictures Taken Today Show Same Blockages
Here’s how the same scene looked on 3/8/22.The ditch stops before it even reaches the culvert.Closer shot of same culverts shows sediment and vegetation blocking culvert entrances.Still looking south, but across the median toward the eastbound lanes.Looking north from eastbound lanes at sediment and vegetation blocking the ditch as it goes through the median of Kingwood Drive.
I’ve brought this issue to the attention of Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin and his staff. I’m confident this was just an oversight and look forward to doing another positive story when they complete this job, too.
Posted by Bob Rehak on March 8, 2022
1652 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/20190523-attachment1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=16751200adminadmin2022-03-08 16:39:012022-03-08 16:42:10Next Challenge For City: Ditch Clean Out in Right of Way Under Kingwood Drive West of High School
Today, I came across an eye-popping presentation by John Blount, P.E.. Blount served as Harris County’s Engineer for decades. He left his position last year after serving the Engineering Department for 34 years. The presentation discussed how new building regs adopted in 2009 (and later amended) reduced damage rates during Harvey by approximately 20X.
Bount’s report, however, pointed out that – at the time of Harvey – 75,000 homes had been built in subdivisions developed in 2009 or later that conformed to the new, more stringent building codes. These homes were in subdivisions that used current infrastructure requirements for drainage and extreme event-flow analysis. Out of those 75,000 homes, only 467 flooded during Harvey, or 0.6%. That’s 20X less than 12%.
But even more impressive, Blount said that not one of those homes suffered substantial damage.
Factors that Made the Difference
After that, Blount’s 22-page presentation gets fairly technical. It deals with regulations that affect:
Elevation above the 100-year flood plain
Acceptable types of foundations in flood hazard areas
Building in floodways including width, depth, bracing and other construction requirements for piers
Where fill can and cannot be used
Detention pond requirements
Coordination with MUDs and Special Districts
Coastal vs. Riverine Flooding
Wind resistance
Elevation above street level and more
Photos reflect changing standards for building in floodways.
Driving around town after reading this report will be an eye-opening experience. Take any one of the factors mentioned above, for instance, elevation above street level.
As I was driving through Aldine last weekend to photograph the new detention basin along Halls Bayou, I was struck by how many homes, businesses, and apartment complexes were built several feet BELOW the street levels.
Page 12 of Blount’s presentation addresses this issue. “If the structure is a single family residence the finished floor shall be a minimum of 12 inches above the highest adjacent natural grade when measured 10 feet from the edge of the slab or 12 inches above the crown of the adjacent street whichever results in the highest elevation.”
Drive down Aldine Bender Road or Aldine Mail Route and look at the driveways that slope DOWN to properties. No wonder so many homes in this area flood.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/7/2022 based on a report by the former Harris County Engineer John Blount
1651 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/20220307-Screen-Shot-2022-03-07-at-6.45.35-PM.jpg?fit=1200%2C522&ssl=15221200adminadmin2022-03-07 19:07:272022-03-07 19:07:31How New Building Regs Cut Damage Rates During Harvey by Roughly 20X
Last week, the City of Houston started clearing debris from the culverts under Kingwood Drive near Kingwood High School. Local flood-fighter Chris Bloch has been working for years behind the scenes to document drainage issues such as this one and convince local officials to address them.
Un-named and Long-Forgotten Tributary Finally Getting Attention
One of Bloch’s latest investigations has been an uncatalogued and long-ignored channel under Kingwood Drive. It helps drain Kingwood High School into Bens Branch. But it doesn’t show up anywhere on Harris County Flood Control District maps.
Two Feet of Sediment Block Culverts Under Kingwood Drive
Bloch says, “The channel originates at Kingwood High School’s athletic fields. The ditch is narrow and full of sediment and vegetation. Side channels, which empty into this ditch, are also full of sediment and vegetation. This is the only ditch providing storm water drainage from the high school campus.”
The ditch in question passes through three culverts under the Westbound lanes of Kingwood Drive. They are obstructed by 24 inches of sediment and debris. See below.
Blocked culverts under Kingwood Drive are finally being cleared.Photo courtesy of Chris Bloch.
“Debris indicates stormwater runoff from the campus passes over Kingwood Drive due to the poor conveyance capacity of this ditch.”
Chris Bloch, Kingwood Resident and Retired Engineer
“If cleared of sediment, the cross section area of the three culverts would total 60 square feet.“
More Blockages Downstream
After crossing under Kingwood Drive, the ditch funnels water into a 24-inch corrugated plastic culvert. That carries it across the Kingwood Country Club Driving Range. “This cross-sectional flow area of this culvert is only about 5% of the total area of the three culverts that pass under Kingwood Drive,” says Bloch.
Later, as the ditch crosses two fairways on its way to Bens Branch, sediment and vegetation again partially block it. They also partially block the three culverts under Centerpoint’s easement near Bens Branch.
Bloch believes, “Maintenance and improvement of this ditch upstream of these outfalls would significantly improve drainage of the high school campus.”
Ensuring Long-Term Maintenance
“Although the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) has no property rights for this channel, the District may be willing to partner with property owners to improve drainage,” says Bloch. “The original channel was reported to have been installed by Humble ISD (HISD) prior to the existence of the driving range.”
Bloch says he has been communicating with HISD, HCFCD and the City of Houston about the poor condition of this ditch since 2020. “I recently communicated with Mayor Pro Tem Martin’s office about this ditch and spoke with Mayor Pro Tem Martin himself about it. The de-silting is another small step forward for flood mitigation in Kingwood. I appreciate the involvement of Mayor Pro Tem Martin.”
“Recently, HCFCD indicated they would be willing to partner with the property owners of this ditch to improve drainage. Hopefully, once the City completes the sediment removal of the channel on the Kingwood Drive right of way, HISD and the Country Club can get together with the HCFCD to improve drainage across the Country Club property to Bens Branch,” says Bloch.
Posted by Bob Rehak with thanks to Chris Bloch and Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin
1650 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/20220306-Screen-Shot-2022-03-06-at-3.41.40-PM.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=17991200adminadmin2022-03-06 16:49:082022-03-06 16:49:11City De-Silting Channel Under Kingwood Drive Near High School
Next Challenge For City: Ditch Clean Out in Right of Way Under Kingwood Drive West of High School
About a half block west of Kingwood High School, G-103-36-03, a small drainage ditch without a name, cuts under Kingwood Drive. More than a hundred homes near this ditch flooded during Harvey. Before Imelda, Harris County Flood Control District did an emergency “de-snag” on the ditch. That means they cleaned out fallen trees that were forming “beaver dams” and backing water up.
But the right of way under Kingwood Drive has remained about half blocked by sediment. That’s what those red warning signs represent in the picture below. Clearing the right of way is the City of Houston’s responsibility.
Now, would be a good time to clean out this ditch while the City has crews working a block east of here at Kingwood High School.
Location of Blockage
When I clicked on the upper warning sign, I found a link to this image from 2019.
Pictures Taken Today Show Same Blockages
I’ve brought this issue to the attention of Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin and his staff. I’m confident this was just an oversight and look forward to doing another positive story when they complete this job, too.
Posted by Bob Rehak on March 8, 2022
1652 Days since Hurricane Harvey
How New Building Regs Cut Damage Rates During Harvey by Roughly 20X
Today, I came across an eye-popping presentation by John Blount, P.E.. Blount served as Harris County’s Engineer for decades. He left his position last year after serving the Engineering Department for 34 years. The presentation discussed how new building regs adopted in 2009 (and later amended) reduced damage rates during Harvey by approximately 20X.
Before/After Stats
The Harris County Flood Control District’s (HCFCD) final Harvey report found that 154,170 homes flooded in Harris County during Harvey. HCFCD estimated that was between 9-12% of the structures in the County at the time.
Bount’s report, however, pointed out that – at the time of Harvey – 75,000 homes had been built in subdivisions developed in 2009 or later that conformed to the new, more stringent building codes. These homes were in subdivisions that used current infrastructure requirements for drainage and extreme event-flow analysis. Out of those 75,000 homes, only 467 flooded during Harvey, or 0.6%. That’s 20X less than 12%.
But even more impressive, Blount said that not one of those homes suffered substantial damage.
Factors that Made the Difference
After that, Blount’s 22-page presentation gets fairly technical. It deals with regulations that affect:
For Full Report and an Eye-Opening Experience
To see Blount’s full report on How Building Regs Affected Damage during Hurricane Harvey, click here.
Driving around town after reading this report will be an eye-opening experience. Take any one of the factors mentioned above, for instance, elevation above street level.
As I was driving through Aldine last weekend to photograph the new detention basin along Halls Bayou, I was struck by how many homes, businesses, and apartment complexes were built several feet BELOW the street levels.
Page 12 of Blount’s presentation addresses this issue. “If the structure is a single family residence the finished floor shall be a minimum of 12 inches above the highest adjacent natural grade when measured 10 feet from the edge of the slab or 12 inches above the crown of the adjacent street whichever results in the highest elevation.”
Drive down Aldine Bender Road or Aldine Mail Route and look at the driveways that slope DOWN to properties. No wonder so many homes in this area flood.
To make Blount’s report easy to find in the future, search on the keyword “Blount” or consult the Reports Page under “Construction Regs in Flood Hazard Areas” or “Hurricane Harvey and Flooding” tabs.
It’s bewildering why so many surrounding counties and municipalities have resisted upgrading their building, subdivision and flood plain regs.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/7/2022 based on a report by the former Harris County Engineer John Blount
1651 Days since Hurricane Harvey
City De-Silting Channel Under Kingwood Drive Near High School
Last week, the City of Houston started clearing debris from the culverts under Kingwood Drive near Kingwood High School. Local flood-fighter Chris Bloch has been working for years behind the scenes to document drainage issues such as this one and convince local officials to address them.
Un-named and Long-Forgotten Tributary Finally Getting Attention
One of Bloch’s latest investigations has been an uncatalogued and long-ignored channel under Kingwood Drive. It helps drain Kingwood High School into Bens Branch. But it doesn’t show up anywhere on Harris County Flood Control District maps.
Two Feet of Sediment Block Culverts Under Kingwood Drive
Bloch says, “The channel originates at Kingwood High School’s athletic fields. The ditch is narrow and full of sediment and vegetation. Side channels, which empty into this ditch, are also full of sediment and vegetation. This is the only ditch providing storm water drainage from the high school campus.”
The high school building suffered $67 million in damages during Harvey and lost another $10 million in contents.
The ditch in question passes through three culverts under the Westbound lanes of Kingwood Drive. They are obstructed by 24 inches of sediment and debris. See below.
“If cleared of sediment, the cross section area of the three culverts would total 60 square feet.“
More Blockages Downstream
After crossing under Kingwood Drive, the ditch funnels water into a 24-inch corrugated plastic culvert. That carries it across the Kingwood Country Club Driving Range. “This cross-sectional flow area of this culvert is only about 5% of the total area of the three culverts that pass under Kingwood Drive,” says Bloch.
Later, as the ditch crosses two fairways on its way to Bens Branch, sediment and vegetation again partially block it. They also partially block the three culverts under Centerpoint’s easement near Bens Branch.
Bloch believes, “Maintenance and improvement of this ditch upstream of these outfalls would significantly improve drainage of the high school campus.”
Ensuring Long-Term Maintenance
“Although the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) has no property rights for this channel, the District may be willing to partner with property owners to improve drainage,” says Bloch. “The original channel was reported to have been installed by Humble ISD (HISD) prior to the existence of the driving range.”
Bloch says he has been communicating with HISD, HCFCD and the City of Houston about the poor condition of this ditch since 2020. “I recently communicated with Mayor Pro Tem Martin’s office about this ditch and spoke with Mayor Pro Tem Martin himself about it. The de-silting is another small step forward for flood mitigation in Kingwood. I appreciate the involvement of Mayor Pro Tem Martin.”
“Recently, HCFCD indicated they would be willing to partner with the property owners of this ditch to improve drainage. Hopefully, once the City completes the sediment removal of the channel on the Kingwood Drive right of way, HISD and the Country Club can get together with the HCFCD to improve drainage across the Country Club property to Bens Branch,” says Bloch.
To see Bloch’s full report, click here.
Posted by Bob Rehak with thanks to Chris Bloch and Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin
1650 Days since Hurricane Harvey