8/26/26 – Contractors are currently installing liners in the two entry ponds that bracket Northpark Drive at US59. See the north pond below.
Photo courtesy of Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority.
The liner is a geomembrane made out of high density polyethylene. It takes at least 240 pounds/inch to break the liner.
Ponds Will Serve Two Purposes
To motorists, the ponds will look like decorative lakes at the entrance to the community. However, they also play another important role as stormwater retention basins.
The difference between the water surface level and top of bank represents capacity for excess stormwater storage. The increase in impervious cover associated with expansion of the roadway will create additional runoff and the ponds will help retain that, reducing flood risk.
Closing on Property for Well Will Be Key to Pond Completion
Closing on property for the well that would fill the ponds when rainwater doesn’t
The need to cover the pond liners to keep sunlight from damaging them.
The plan is to cover the liners with a foot of dirt. That should protect them from harmful UV rays.
De Leon previously said he hopes to close on the property for the well during the first week of October 2026 and have the ponds filled by the end of October.
According to De Leon, “We still have to get the permit approved by the subsidence district and schedule the sub-contractor to dig the well. Then we need electricity to operate it. If we get rain before all that happens, they could easily fill by themselves.”
Multiple Purposes of Pond Liners
The primary purpose of a pond liner in a decorative community-entrance pond is to keep the water in the pond rather than allowing it to infiltrate into the surrounding soil. But it serves several related functions.
Prevents seepage and water loss. This is especially important in sandy, gravelly, fractured, or otherwise permeable soils. Without a liner, maintaining the desired water level could require continual makeup water.
Maintains a stable appearance. Decorative ponds are usually designed around a particular water-surface elevation. A liner helps keep shorelines, fountains, waterfalls, and landscaping looking as designed.
Reduces operating costs. Less water has to be added to compensate for infiltration, which can substantially reduce water bills and pumping requirements.
Provides some isolation from groundwater and soil. A liner can limit exchange between pond water and groundwater and reduce the migration of dissolved minerals or contaminants in either direction.
Helps control vegetation and erosion. Liners can discourage deeply rooted aquatic plants and prevent the pond bottom from eroding.
When complete, the Northpark entries should look as beautiful as the Kingwood Drive entries. That will be a major upgrade for the entire community.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/26/26
3284 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/North-Entry-Pond-Liner.jpg?fit=1100%2C825&ssl=18251100adminadmin2026-08-26 16:43:202026-08-26 17:26:39Northpark Pond Liners Being Installed
8/25/26 – Just days after being sworn in, the five board members of the new Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District held their first working meeting on 8/24/26. They focused on developing an organization that could, in turn, develop a long-range plan.
Three of the five board members live in the Lake Houston Area, including the board chair. So, they are highly focused on getting dredges in the water as soon as possible.
Dredging District board (L to R): Sarah Burkey, William Simpson (chair), Derek St. John, Kathleen Jordan, Ken Kirchhofer (out of frame to right).Jordan lives in Kingwood. Simpson and Kirchhofer live in Atascocita.
Board Chair William Simpson set the stage by saying, “We’re basically starting from day one on this. Today, we want to strategize around how to move forward and then form some committees to start working.”
After a review of bylaws, they discussed:
Scope of work/maps/surveys
Estimate of costs
Funding plans
Schedule milestones
A procurement plan
Committees
Houston Public Works Set the Stage
David Wurdlow, Houston Public Works’ Sr. Assistant Director of Capital Projects and Grant Management, set the stage by talking about dredging costs and funding sources – both past and potential.
Since Harvey, approximately $175 million has been raised for dredging from a variety of sources and $168 million expended. That leaves approximately $7 million in the kitty.
Funding summary shows balance left in last two line items, which are not yet closed.
Utilizing those remaining funds would require an interlocal agreement of some sort with either Harris County or City of Houston.
Wurdlow next identified several possible sources for grants. He emphasized that many grants are designated exclusively for capital improvements and that, by definition, dredging is a maintenance activity. Outside of an emergency, such as Hurricane Harvey, that limits potential funding sources somewhat. However, several sources remain viable alternatives.
Since Harvey, more than 4 million cubic yards of sediment have been removed from the lake and its tributaries through a variety of programs.
Finally, Wurdlow discussed how dredging dovetailed with other flood-mitigation efforts underway in the Lake Houston watershed, such as the SJRA’s sedimentation, sand trap, and joint-reservoir-operations studies.
Identifying Elements of a Business Plan
The discussion then hopscotched through a variety of topics related to things necessary to develop a long-range business plan. They included, but were not limited to:
Hiring an attorney and a CPA
Determining ways to finance dredging efforts
Finding placement areas to drain spoils
Transporting dredged materials away from the lake
Working with developers who might use the spoils
Devoting long-range drainage plans
Agreeing on scope of work (i.e., maintaining current silt levels or improving them)
Limiting water-quality concerns related to dredging
Implementing sand traps to reduce incoming sediment
Finalizing goals (i.e., dredging XXX thousand cubic yards per year)
Agreeing on the core mission
Developing a procurement plan and web site
Identifying potential partners
Developing ways to communicate with the public and partners
Setting up board committees to handle all of the above
The discussion lasted an hour and thirty-eight minutes. The group had more questions than answers. But that was expected at this point. However, the board identified the key questions it needs to answer. And it developed a committee structure to deliver a workable business plan.
Future Meetings
The Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District plans to hold meetings on the third Monday of every month at the Humble Chamber at 11 am. The address is 110 W. Main St., Humble, TX 77338.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/25/2026
3283 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Dredging-District-Board-in-Action.jpg?fit=1100%2C733&ssl=17331100adminadmin2026-08-25 16:47:312026-08-26 07:20:24Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District Kicks Off Planning Effort
8/24/26 at 5PM – After quick-thinking residents spotted TXDoT contractors dumping fill in the Lake Houston floodplain on Friday night, August 21, local authorities leaped into action and stopped the operation by mid-day on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
On Sunday, August 23, a silt fence was installed improperly on the property. And today, Monday, August 24, Houston Public Works launched an investigation. Here’s the latest.
Landowners can move dirt within the floodplain. But they cannot bring dirt INTO the floodplain from outside of it. That reduces stormwater storage.
Shortly after Flickinger’s visit, neighbors reported that the TXDoT contractors stopped their fill operation, and that the landowner would likely be forced to pay a fine and remove the fill dirt.
Google Earth Pro satellite image of floodplain being filled. See red oval.
Ineffective Silt Fence
After Saturday’s post pointed out that there was no silt fence around the fill, the next day, someone installed a laughably ineffective silt fence. It didn’t even reach the ground. So rain could easily wash silt under the bottom edge of the fence.
Note gap below fence.Photo taken Sunday 8/23/26.
Best practices for silt fence installation recommend burying the bottom edge of the fabric at least six inches in a trench on the uphill side of fence supports, then back-filling the trench. See the diagram below, compiled by ChatGPT.
Note inset illustration on bottom right.
City Investigation Issues Red Tags
Houston Public Works investigators visited the site this morning. At 5PM today, they issued this statement, “The Floodplain Management Office inspection team issued red tags on the affected parcels this morning and contacted the trucking contractor. As of this afternoon, one of the onsite red tags was not found when we returned. We’ll continue to follow up.”
Public Works says it will issue a more detailed report tomorrow morning and has requested TXDoT’s cooperation in stopping the floodplain filling.
TXDoT Response to County Investigation Request
Meanwhile, Harris County Precinct 3 also asked TXDoT to look into recurring problems like this. TXDoT contractors are excavating the dirt from a large detention basin four miles north as mitigation for the FM2100 expansion project.
Eric Heppen, Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey’s head engineer, shared this statement from Nyemb Nyemb, P.E., North Harris Assistant Area Engineer for TXDoT.
Nyemb said, “We recognize that this has been a recurring concern and will be meeting with the contractor as soon as possible to address the matter and reinforce compliance with all applicable requirements.”
“If it is determined that material was improperly dumped in this area, the contractor will be required to remove it and restore the site.”
Nyemb Nyemb PE, TXDoT manager for North Harris County
Nyemb continued, “Failure to comply with project requirements and corrective measures could result in project enforcement actions. The TxDOT project team will work and investigate the reported activity and take appropriate action if any project-related material is found to have been placed without the required approvals, authorizations, or permits.”
Harris County Appraisal District Records show that Lake Houston Lighthouse, L.L.C. owns it. However, Texas Secretary of State records show that the LLC last filed a required Public Information Report in 2022 and went through a tax forfeiture in February 2024. So presumably, the individual owners lack a corporate veil to protect them from liability.
Both of the LLC’s managing members list their address at a single residence on Page Lane – the street immediately south of the channel shown above.
How to Stop Floodplain Fill
Engineers tell me such activity goes on all over Harris County. How can we stop it? Previously, there was talk about criminalizing such behavior. Currently, it is a civil offense.
Heppen said that the county may work with the state in the next session to pass a law against such fill activity. Making it a criminal offense changes the whole “What if I get caught?” equation. Instead of a slap-on-the-wrist fine, a criminal record might disqualify someone from getting future jobs or permits.
If we want to reduce damage in the next flood, we must do more than pay lip service to floodplain preservation.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/24/26
3282 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/2026/08/Silt-Fence-Cropped.jpg?fit=1100%2C544&ssl=15441100adminadmin2026-08-24 18:00:312026-08-27 09:45:33Two Lake Houston Floodplain-Fill Investigations Launched
Northpark Pond Liners Being Installed
8/26/26 – Contractors are currently installing liners in the two entry ponds that bracket Northpark Drive at US59. See the north pond below.
The liner is a geomembrane made out of high density polyethylene. It takes at least 240 pounds/inch to break the liner.
Ponds Will Serve Two Purposes
To motorists, the ponds will look like decorative lakes at the entrance to the community. However, they also play another important role as stormwater retention basins.
The difference between the water surface level and top of bank represents capacity for excess stormwater storage. The increase in impervious cover associated with expansion of the roadway will create additional runoff and the ponds will help retain that, reducing flood risk.
Closing on Property for Well Will Be Key to Pond Completion
On 7/24/26, I wrote a brief update about the entry ponds. Two things were holding up completion.
The plan is to cover the liners with a foot of dirt. That should protect them from harmful UV rays.
De Leon previously said he hopes to close on the property for the well during the first week of October 2026 and have the ponds filled by the end of October.
According to De Leon, “We still have to get the permit approved by the subsidence district and schedule the sub-contractor to dig the well. Then we need electricity to operate it. If we get rain before all that happens, they could easily fill by themselves.”
Multiple Purposes of Pond Liners
The primary purpose of a pond liner in a decorative community-entrance pond is to keep the water in the pond rather than allowing it to infiltrate into the surrounding soil. But it serves several related functions.
When complete, the Northpark entries should look as beautiful as the Kingwood Drive entries. That will be a major upgrade for the entire community.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/26/26
3284 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District Kicks Off Planning Effort
8/25/26 – Just days after being sworn in, the five board members of the new Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District held their first working meeting on 8/24/26. They focused on developing an organization that could, in turn, develop a long-range plan.
Three of the five board members live in the Lake Houston Area, including the board chair. So, they are highly focused on getting dredges in the water as soon as possible.
Board Chair William Simpson set the stage by saying, “We’re basically starting from day one on this. Today, we want to strategize around how to move forward and then form some committees to start working.”
After a review of bylaws, they discussed:
Houston Public Works Set the Stage
David Wurdlow, Houston Public Works’ Sr. Assistant Director of Capital Projects and Grant Management, set the stage by talking about dredging costs and funding sources – both past and potential.
Since Harvey, approximately $175 million has been raised for dredging from a variety of sources and $168 million expended. That leaves approximately $7 million in the kitty.
Utilizing those remaining funds would require an interlocal agreement of some sort with either Harris County or City of Houston.
Wurdlow next identified several possible sources for grants. He emphasized that many grants are designated exclusively for capital improvements and that, by definition, dredging is a maintenance activity. Outside of an emergency, such as Hurricane Harvey, that limits potential funding sources somewhat. However, several sources remain viable alternatives.
Since Harvey, more than 4 million cubic yards of sediment have been removed from the lake and its tributaries through a variety of programs.
Finally, Wurdlow discussed how dredging dovetailed with other flood-mitigation efforts underway in the Lake Houston watershed, such as the SJRA’s sedimentation, sand trap, and joint-reservoir-operations studies.
Identifying Elements of a Business Plan
The discussion then hopscotched through a variety of topics related to things necessary to develop a long-range business plan. They included, but were not limited to:
The discussion lasted an hour and thirty-eight minutes. The group had more questions than answers. But that was expected at this point. However, the board identified the key questions it needs to answer. And it developed a committee structure to deliver a workable business plan.
Future Meetings
The Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District plans to hold meetings on the third Monday of every month at the Humble Chamber at 11 am. The address is 110 W. Main St., Humble, TX 77338.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/25/2026
3283 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Two Lake Houston Floodplain-Fill Investigations Launched
8/24/26 at 5PM – After quick-thinking residents spotted TXDoT contractors dumping fill in the Lake Houston floodplain on Friday night, August 21, local authorities leaped into action and stopped the operation by mid-day on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
On Sunday, August 23, a silt fence was installed improperly on the property. And today, Monday, August 24, Houston Public Works launched an investigation. Here’s the latest.
Flickinger Visit Stops Dumping
Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger visited the dump site on Saturday.
Floodplain fill reduces stormwater-storage volume during floods. That increases flood risk for others. As a consequence, City regulations prohibited such fill in 2018.
Landowners can move dirt within the floodplain. But they cannot bring dirt INTO the floodplain from outside of it. That reduces stormwater storage.
Shortly after Flickinger’s visit, neighbors reported that the TXDoT contractors stopped their fill operation, and that the landowner would likely be forced to pay a fine and remove the fill dirt.
Ineffective Silt Fence
After Saturday’s post pointed out that there was no silt fence around the fill, the next day, someone installed a laughably ineffective silt fence. It didn’t even reach the ground. So rain could easily wash silt under the bottom edge of the fence.
Best practices for silt fence installation recommend burying the bottom edge of the fabric at least six inches in a trench on the uphill side of fence supports, then back-filling the trench. See the diagram below, compiled by ChatGPT.
City Investigation Issues Red Tags
Houston Public Works investigators visited the site this morning. At 5PM today, they issued this statement, “The Floodplain Management Office inspection team issued red tags on the affected parcels this morning and contacted the trucking contractor. As of this afternoon, one of the onsite red tags was not found when we returned. We’ll continue to follow up.”
Public Works says it will issue a more detailed report tomorrow morning and has requested TXDoT’s cooperation in stopping the floodplain filling.
TXDoT Response to County Investigation Request
Meanwhile, Harris County Precinct 3 also asked TXDoT to look into recurring problems like this. TXDoT contractors are excavating the dirt from a large detention basin four miles north as mitigation for the FM2100 expansion project.
Eric Heppen, Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey’s head engineer, shared this statement from Nyemb Nyemb, P.E., North Harris Assistant Area Engineer for TXDoT.
Nyemb said, “We recognize that this has been a recurring concern and will be meeting with the contractor as soon as possible to address the matter and reinforce compliance with all applicable requirements.”
Nyemb continued, “Failure to comply with project requirements and corrective measures could result in project enforcement actions. The TxDOT project team will work and investigate the reported activity and take appropriate action if any project-related material is found to have been placed without the required approvals, authorizations, or permits.”
Unfortunately, we’ve heard that before from Mr. Nyemb.
Who Owns the Floodplain Property Being Filled?
Harris County Appraisal District Records show that Lake Houston Lighthouse, L.L.C. owns it. However, Texas Secretary of State records show that the LLC last filed a required Public Information Report in 2022 and went through a tax forfeiture in February 2024. So presumably, the individual owners lack a corporate veil to protect them from liability.
Both of the LLC’s managing members list their address at a single residence on Page Lane – the street immediately south of the channel shown above.
How to Stop Floodplain Fill
Engineers tell me such activity goes on all over Harris County. How can we stop it? Previously, there was talk about criminalizing such behavior. Currently, it is a civil offense.
Heppen said that the county may work with the state in the next session to pass a law against such fill activity. Making it a criminal offense changes the whole “What if I get caught?” equation. Instead of a slap-on-the-wrist fine, a criminal record might disqualify someone from getting future jobs or permits.
If we want to reduce damage in the next flood, we must do more than pay lip service to floodplain preservation.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/24/26
3282 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.