Harris County Commissioners Court unanimously approved two items on today’s agenda that could eventually benefit the Humble/Kingwood Area.
#60 Recommendation to execute a Partnership Agreement with TXDoT for preliminary engineering and environmental review for a railroad grade separation on Hamblen Road, from Loop 494 to Laurel Springs Lane.
#83 Authorization to negotiate an interlocal agreement for a partnership project with the SJRA, Humble, and five utility districts for a feasibility study and conceptual design on the Spring Creek Watershed Flood Control Reservoirs.
Consideration of the projects was originally scheduled for last Friday. But visits by President Biden and Governor Abbott delayed that part of the meeting until today.
More About the Projects
The first item will formally establish a partnership with TXDoT to study the feasibility of rerouting Hamblen Road north to meet up with a bridge over US59 at Sorters-McClellan Road. The project, is key to managing traffic in Harris County’s new 90-acre Precinct 4 Edgewater Park. The preliminary engineering study will also look at building a bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. The latter is important because UP has announced its intention to start running longer trains. If one derailed, it could theoretically block every exit to Kingwood.
Site of Precinct 4’s new Edgewater Park. Hamblen Road (center) could be re-routed north to connect with the bridge over 59 at Sorters-McClellan road (top center). The project could also create a railroad bridge over the Union Pacific tracks (right).
The second item will further explore the feasibility of one or more Flood Control Reservoirs upstream from the Lake Houston Area along Spring Creek. This could reduce the amount of inbound water during future floods. In that regard, it is worth noting that the amount of water coming down Spring Creek during Harvey almost exactly equaled the amount of the SJRA’s release from Lake Conroe. Thus, such a project could partially offset future Lake Conroe releases during floods.
Where Water Came From During Harvey. Source: SJRA.
Next Steps
Neither of these projects involves approval to begin construction. They simply will study the feasibility, locations, costs, and nature of construction. Commissioners would have to approve construction after studying the results of the studies. But first the engineering department and Flood Control District must solicit bidders to conduct the studies.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/1/2021
1280 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Estimated-Peak-Flows-Hurricane-Harvey-Aug-25-29-e1555953215907.jpg?fit=1500%2C971&ssl=19711500adminadmin2021-03-01 17:55:382021-03-04 08:46:41Harris County Commissioners Approve Two Projects That Could Benefit Humble-Kingwood Area
Shortly after Imelda, I posted about Lovett Commercial’s Kingwood Docks development. At the time, Lovett said it would be ready for occupancy in fall of 2019. A year and a half later, two 14,000 square foot buildings still sit empty. Certainly, this has to be one of the more bizarre retail developments around. I’ve never seen a detention pond comprise a higher percentage of a property, although I’m sure one must exist somewhere. Regardless, don’t park here in a flood.
Massive Detention Pond Occupies Approximately Three Fourths of Property
If all developments devoted this much area to detention, we probably wouldn’t have a flooding problem. That said, we do have a flooding problem and the commercial developments to the east, anchored by Memorial Hermann and H-E-B, are both higher than this.
During Harvey, many people who lived between Kingwood Drive and the West Fork parked their cars in the H-E-B and Memorial Hermann lots thinking they would be safe. They weren’t. Hundreds of vehicles flooded.
Lovett Commercial’s Kingwood Docks development is dwarfed by its detention pond. Note the manholes sticking up far above the level of the property.
Everything in the background flooded during Harvey. Memorial Hermann facility is in upper right.
Looking west from the Kingwood Docks detention pond. Memorial Hermann and its parking lot sit on much higher ground than the Docks project.
It’s unclear whether the Kingwood Docks buildings sit high enough to survive another Harvey. The water reached 7 feet in Torchy’s just a few hundred feet to the east. And Torchy’s sits on higher ground. But it is clear that your car won’t survive if you park it here during the next big flood. The entire property sits in the 100-year flood plain.
Aqua = 100-year floodplain. Tan = 500-year. Docks proper is the pie-shaped wedge under the City of Houston lettering.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/1/2021
1280 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.
Reverse angle, looking downstream from start of repairs toward Maple Bend Bridge.
Look at the size of that new storm drain. That should get water to the ditch in a hurry.
There’s another new, huge pipe downstream from the bridge. Compare the size of the old one on the opposite side of the creek.
Purpose of Project
The purpose of the project: to repair erosion and side-slope failures; repair or replace outfalls; rectify flowlines; and rehabilitate existing backslope swale systems.
Erosion repairs include the placement of fill material, placement of 3″x5″ granular fill and the placement of grade #1 riprap.
Channel cross sections will be restored to the original design where feasible.
The oldest recorded drawing on file is for the proposed channels from Elm Grove Village to White Oak Creek completed in March 1982. Record drawings typically show a 6-foot wide channel bottom with 3:1 side slopes.
Separate From Preliminary Engineering Study Approved on 2/5
Before HCFCD leaves a project, they will establish grass on the side slopes to prevent erosion and more downstream sedimentation.
This project is separate from a Taylor Gully preliminary engineering study for capital improvements that was approved by Harris County Commissioner’s Court at its last meeting. The capital improvements could include more upstream detention on the Perry Homes Woodridge Village Property, which is still pending purchase 1.5 years after Imelda.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/20210228-DJI_0258.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=19001200adminadmin2021-02-28 18:52:002021-02-28 18:53:18HCFCD Taylor Gully Repair Project Approximately One-Third Complete
Harris County Commissioners Approve Two Projects That Could Benefit Humble-Kingwood Area
Harris County Commissioners Court unanimously approved two items on today’s agenda that could eventually benefit the Humble/Kingwood Area.
Consideration of the projects was originally scheduled for last Friday. But visits by President Biden and Governor Abbott delayed that part of the meeting until today.
More About the Projects
The first item will formally establish a partnership with TXDoT to study the feasibility of rerouting Hamblen Road north to meet up with a bridge over US59 at Sorters-McClellan Road. The project, is key to managing traffic in Harris County’s new 90-acre Precinct 4 Edgewater Park. The preliminary engineering study will also look at building a bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. The latter is important because UP has announced its intention to start running longer trains. If one derailed, it could theoretically block every exit to Kingwood.
The second item will further explore the feasibility of one or more Flood Control Reservoirs upstream from the Lake Houston Area along Spring Creek. This could reduce the amount of inbound water during future floods. In that regard, it is worth noting that the amount of water coming down Spring Creek during Harvey almost exactly equaled the amount of the SJRA’s release from Lake Conroe. Thus, such a project could partially offset future Lake Conroe releases during floods.
Next Steps
Neither of these projects involves approval to begin construction. They simply will study the feasibility, locations, costs, and nature of construction. Commissioners would have to approve construction after studying the results of the studies. But first the engineering department and Flood Control District must solicit bidders to conduct the studies.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/1/2021
1280 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Detention Pond Comprises Vast Majority of Kingwood Docks Property
Shortly after Imelda, I posted about Lovett Commercial’s Kingwood Docks development. At the time, Lovett said it would be ready for occupancy in fall of 2019. A year and a half later, two 14,000 square foot buildings still sit empty. Certainly, this has to be one of the more bizarre retail developments around. I’ve never seen a detention pond comprise a higher percentage of a property, although I’m sure one must exist somewhere. Regardless, don’t park here in a flood.
Massive Detention Pond Occupies Approximately Three Fourths of Property
According to Harris County Appraisal District, the property comprises more than 365,000 square feet. So the rentable space occupies just 7.67% of the property. The parking lots may bring the developed portion up to 25% of the property. But by far, the largest percentage, as you can see in the photos below, goes to a massive detention pond.
If all developments devoted this much area to detention, we probably wouldn’t have a flooding problem. That said, we do have a flooding problem and the commercial developments to the east, anchored by Memorial Hermann and H-E-B, are both higher than this.
Both flooded seriously during Harvey; the Memorial Hermann Convenient Care Center flooded just days before its grand opening.
Higher Ground Wasn’t High Enough
During Harvey, many people who lived between Kingwood Drive and the West Fork parked their cars in the H-E-B and Memorial Hermann lots thinking they would be safe. They weren’t. Hundreds of vehicles flooded.
It’s unclear whether the Kingwood Docks buildings sit high enough to survive another Harvey. The water reached 7 feet in Torchy’s just a few hundred feet to the east. And Torchy’s sits on higher ground. But it is clear that your car won’t survive if you park it here during the next big flood. The entire property sits in the 100-year flood plain.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/1/2021
1280 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.
HCFCD Taylor Gully Repair Project Approximately One-Third Complete
On January 19, I posted about Harris County Flood Control District’s (HCFCD) second major repair project on Taylor Gully since 2019. Thirty-nine days later, HCFCD has completed about one third of the project. They have now started on the downstream side of the Maple Bend Bridge in Kingwood’s Woodstream Village.
Pictures of Work to Date
Here are pictures of the Taylor Gully repairs taken today, 2/28/2021.
Purpose of Project
The purpose of the project: to repair erosion and side-slope failures; repair or replace outfalls; rectify flowlines; and rehabilitate existing backslope swale systems.
Separate From Preliminary Engineering Study Approved on 2/5
Before HCFCD leaves a project, they will establish grass on the side slopes to prevent erosion and more downstream sedimentation.
This project is separate from a Taylor Gully preliminary engineering study for capital improvements that was approved by Harris County Commissioner’s Court at its last meeting. The capital improvements could include more upstream detention on the Perry Homes Woodridge Village Property, which is still pending purchase 1.5 years after Imelda.
A previous study, the Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis, proposed improvements to Taylor Gully in October 2020.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 2/28/2021
1279 Days since Hurricane Harvey