The second district makes an arc around the north and west sides of Houston. So expect the discussion to cover more than just the Lake Houston area. Likely topics will include (but by no means are limited to):
Additional flood gates for Lake Houston
Addicks Reservoir
Houston Ship Channel
White Oak Bayou
Other local projects with shared Federal funding.
Attendees can ask questions online. Organizers have committed most of the time to answering those questions. The discussion should last 45 minutes, and in no case will exceed an hour.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Crenshaw-Webinar.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=112001200adminadmin2020-05-19 13:22:432020-05-19 13:22:55“Coffee Break with Dan Crenshaw” Will Discuss Flood Projects in Second Congressional District
Through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, ReduceFlooding.com has obtained details of Harris County’s request to the City of Houston to revise its flood regs. Complying with the request is one of two conditions the City must meet before the County will purchase Perry Homes’ Woodridge Village.
First, the County wanted the cash-poor City to pay for half the purchase through the donation of land that the County could then use to help offset costs for other HCFCD projects.
Second, the County wanted the City update to its stormwater and floodplain ordinances to make them consistent with the County’s.
Harmonizing the regulations would provide consistency between the three largest governmental agencies tasked with drainage projects in the our area: Harris County Engineering Department, Harris County Flood Control, and the City of Houston.
This is the first step in getting all municipalities and County governments that drain to Harris County to adopt similar standards to help reduce flooding risks and protect the billions of dollars of drainage infrastructure investments currently being made in the area.
A Houston Chronicle article (that didn’t even mention Elm Grove) said, that in the future, the county would not share flood bond money with any of 34 different municipalities within its jurisdiction that have not updated and harmonized their regulations with Harris County’s.
So what were the requested changes?
Below are revisions needed for the City of Houston to comply with Harris County Infrastructure Regulations (2019 version) and the HCFCD Policy, Criteria and Procedures Manual.
In all cases cited below, Harris County flood regulations exceed the City of Houston’s. The County does not ask the City to relax any guidelines.
Houston Chapter 9 (Stormwater Design Requirements – July 2019)
General Note – The City updated this Chapter in late 2019 to add Atlas 14 rainfall information for use in storm sewer design. The County also added Atlas 14 to its regulations.
However, the County requests that the City make additional changes as follows:
Section 9.2 Design Requirements:
9.2.01(B)(3)(a)(1) Table of Rational Method Runoff Coefficients – Must be updated for lots greater than ¼ acre to be consistent with Harris County requirements.
9.2.01(C)(7)(d) Table 9-2 – Revise inlet capacities for Type A, D, D-1, C-2, C-2A, D, D-1, and E inlets to be consistent with Harris County requirements.
9.2.01(D)(3)(c) Relationship of Structures to Street – Revise finished slab elevation criteria to be consistent with Harris County requirements of 18” above the 100-year floodplain, one foot above the maximum ponding depth within a 10’ radius of the structure or at or above the 500-year floodplain, whichever is higher.
9.2.01(H)(2)(d) Waiver of Detention Requirements – Remove this section; it would allow developments to be constructed without detention.
9.2.01(H)(3)(a-e) Calculation of Detention Volume – Revise to remove detention rates based on tract size, revise detention rates to be consistent with Harris County requirements of 0.75 acre-feet/acre for storm sewer outfalls and 1.0 acre-feet/acre for roadside ditch outfalls, or HCFCD requirements if outfalling to HCFCD facility.
9.2.01(H)(3)(a-e) Tracts >50 acres – Refer to HCFCD requirements if outfalling to HCFCD facility, otherwise refer to Harris County requirements if outfalling to storm sewer or roadside ditch.
9.2.01(H)(4) Calculation of Outlet Size – Revise to be consistent with Harris County requirements, remove minimum restrictor size, remove allowable discharge rates of 0.5 cfs and 2.0 cfs per acre and include calculated allowable rates.
9.2.01(H)(5)(a) Private Facilities – Include Harris County pumped detention information including detention rate, allowable drain times, and percentage that must be drained by gravity. Add minimum bottom slopes and pilot channel slopes from Harris County requirements.
Houston Code of Ordinances, Chapter 19 Floodplain (September 2018)
Under Article III: Standards for Flood Hazard Reduction:
19-33(a) Base Flood Elevation Requirements –Must also include a provision that no fill will be allowed to elevate structures proposed for the 100-year floodplain. These structures must be on open foundations designed by a structural engineer.
19-33(c) AO Zones –Revise to require finish floor elevation of three feet above the depth number noted in the specific zone, or 6 feet if no depth number is specified.
19-34(a)(4) –Remove this item that allows fill to be placed in the 0.2% floodplain without mitigating excavation.
19-34(d) Critical Facilities –Add requirement for these facilities to have the lowest floor elevated 24” above the crown of the adjacent street if that is higher than 3’ above the 0.2% elevation.
19-43 (c)&(d) Floodways – Require an engineering report for the foundation in addition to the “no-rise” analysis and mitigation requirements. Add Harris County requirements for foundation design.
19-43(e) Bridges – Add requirement that all bridge construction that modifies the base flood elevation or that modifies the geometry of the bridge or channel must submit a CLOMR and LOMR.
19-75 Manufactured home placement in a floodway or coastal high hazard area – Remove this section that allows for manufactured homes to be placed in these areas.
The County also recommends that the Harris County Floodplain Administratorshould reviewChapter 19 for additional changes to ensure consistency with Harris County floodplain regulations.
Negotiations Still Reportedly Ongoing
City of Houston did not discuss conditions of the Perry purchase in last week’s City Council session. Neither are County Commissioners scheduled to discuss them this week. However, negotiations with Perry are reportedly continuing despite the passage of Perry’s extended deadline.
Meanwhile, with hurricane season less than two weeks away, Perry Homes’ new contractors continue to put the full-court press on construction of detention ponds. They have made more progress in two months than the previous contractors did in two years.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/19/2020with keyframe from Jim Zura, Zura Productions
994 Days after Hurricane Harvey and 243 after Imelda
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/NotWetlands.jpg?fit=1500%2C835&ssl=18351500adminadmin2020-05-19 11:03:122020-05-19 13:06:30Flood Regs: What County Wants City to Do as Part of Woodridge Village Purchase Deal
The northern section of Perry Homes’ Woodridge Village now has three detention ponds in various stages of completion. As of a week ago, on May 11, 2020, all three were capable of holding water and did during last weekend’s rains. That meant much rainfall that previously might have overwhelmed the two southern detention ponds had places to hold up instead of overflowing into Elm Grove and flooding residents.
No Record Rainfall, But No Flooding Either
Harris County’s Flood Warning System shows that the area received about two and a half inches of rain last weekend. A 2.5 inch rain is far from a record. But forecasters predicted much more. And some areas to the south and east of Lake Houston got more than 10 inches! So Elm Grove residents lucked out, but they were rightly worried.
In the end, whether it was the additional detention capacity or the lighter rain, no one flooded. And that’s what counts.
The Harris County Flood Warning System shows that the nearest official rain gage to Elm Grove is at West Lake Houston Parkway. It registered 2.52 inches of rain in 3 DAYS. 2.52 inches would have to fall in 3 HOURS to even make this chart, and then it would be something we could expect every year.Source: NOAA
Status of Detention Pond Construction
So what is the current status of construction? As of last Monday, the two ponds on the southern section (S1 and S2) were complete.
Of the three ponds on the northern section:
N1 was partially excavated, with most of the capacity in the “tail” leading south toward N2.
N2 was about 80% excavated. Workers were expanding the new section and deepening the old section, developed by Montgomery County many years ago.
N3 was approximately half complete.
Part of N1 Excavation as of May 11, 2020Massive N2 pond in southwest corner of northern section. Grassy portion was previously excavated by MoCo, but contractors are deepening it. Photo taken May 11, 2020.Looking south at Woodridge Village N3 detention pond photo from week ago, May 11, 2020.Elm Grove is out of sight beyond top of frame.
As last week wore on, each pond expanded compared to the three images you see above. Jeff Miller, an Elm Grove resident who lives near Woodridge Village, estimates that all three detention ponds on the northern section were about 80% excavated by the end of last week. However, he also noted that much work remains in terms of sloping the sides, stabilizing soil, building pilot channels and connecting ponds.
Barring further major rains and at the current rate, Miller estimates contractors could finish all three ponds in June.
How They Performed Last Weekend
N1
The first shot below shows the tail of N1. It was not yet connected to N2 so water could not drain out of it.
Photo of N1, looking north, by Jeff Miller on Saturday after rains stopped.
N2
I have no pictures showing how well N2 did at holding back rain, but neither Taylor Gully nor the southern detention ponds overflowed.
N3
Prior to the rain, this portion of N3 was deep enough to conceal all but the top of a large dump truck.N3 might have held approximately 5 feet of water according to Miller.
Additional Culverts for Connecting N1 and N3
Jeff Miller also photographed these 4×4 box culverts stacked up north of N3.
Note the concrete box culverts stacked up north of N3. Plans call for connecting N1 and N2 with such culverts.Also notice how land has been sloped from left to right to flow into N3.See water draining into N3 from a temporary ditch that cuts through the bottom of the image.
Layout and Capacity of All Ditches
Layout of detention ponds on Perry Homes’ Woodridge Village.This pie chart shows the relative capacity of Woodridge Village detention ponds. In the May flood last year, only the blue pond was complete. By the September flood, Perry had also completed the green pond. The three northern detention ponds hold 77% of planned storage capacity. None of those had even started.
Conclusion
Last week’s rains were a small test. But results showed the work already done has added to to detention capacity.
Miller says that water from the northern section did not appear to spill over into S2. His pictures also showed that S2 was only half full.
That meant the entire rain, with the help of new detention ponds, was able to drain out through a 3 foot corrugated pipe that connects Taylor Gully on either side of the county line, just like it used to.
This is welcome news for flood-weary Elm Grove and North Kingwood Forest residents who feared the worst.
No Progress to Report on the Political or Purchase Fronts
Even though the deadline for a Harris County purchase of Woodridge Village from Perry has passed, and even though Commissioners are not supposed to discuss the buyout in tomorrow’s Commissioner’s Court meeting, Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle says negotiations are ongoing.
The County made an offer to buy the land in order to build a regional flood detention facility. But the offer was contingent on the City of Houston donating $7 million worth of other property to the Flood Control District to help offset costs. The City also had to adopt County drainage criteria. It reportedly is more conservative than current City standards.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/18/2020 with photos and reporting from Jeff Miller
993 days since Hurricane Harvey and 242 since Imelda
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/2020/05/20200516-IMG_1440.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=19001200adminadmin2020-05-18 17:53:562020-05-18 18:23:32New Perry Detention Ponds Held Surprising Amount of Rain Last Weekend
“Coffee Break with Dan Crenshaw” Will Discuss Flood Projects in Second Congressional District
U.S. Congressman Dan Crenshaw will host a webinar on Zoom this Thursday, May 21 at 10:00 a.m. His special guest will be Russ Poppe, Executive Director of Harris County Flood Control. The two will discuss preparedness for hurricane season and the status of flood damage reduction projects throughout the second U.S. congressional district in Texas.
The second district makes an arc around the north and west sides of Houston. So expect the discussion to cover more than just the Lake Houston area. Likely topics will include (but by no means are limited to):
Attendees can ask questions online. Organizers have committed most of the time to answering those questions. The discussion should last 45 minutes, and in no case will exceed an hour.
Interestingly, Justin Lurie, the moderator, ran against Crenshaw in the last election.
You can join the webinar from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device.
Register by clicking this link.
Hope to see you online.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/19/2020
994 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Flood Regs: What County Wants City to Do as Part of Woodridge Village Purchase Deal
Through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, ReduceFlooding.com has obtained details of Harris County’s request to the City of Houston to revise its flood regs. Complying with the request is one of two conditions the City must meet before the County will purchase Perry Homes’ Woodridge Village.
Background
Woodridge Village twice contributed to flooding in Elm Grove and North Kingwood Forest last year. Ever since, flood-weary residents have pled with Harris County and City of Houston officials to buy the property and build regional floodwater-detention facilities there that would protect them. The City initially declined. The County agreed, but with two conditions.
Harmonizing the regulations would provide consistency between the three largest governmental agencies tasked with drainage projects in the our area: Harris County Engineering Department, Harris County Flood Control, and the City of Houston.
A Houston Chronicle article (that didn’t even mention Elm Grove) said, that in the future, the county would not share flood bond money with any of 34 different municipalities within its jurisdiction that have not updated and harmonized their regulations with Harris County’s.
So what were the requested changes?
Below are revisions needed for the City of Houston to comply with Harris County Infrastructure Regulations (2019 version) and the HCFCD Policy, Criteria and Procedures Manual.
Houston Chapter 9 (Stormwater Design Requirements – July 2019)
General Note – The City updated this Chapter in late 2019 to add Atlas 14 rainfall information for use in storm sewer design. The County also added Atlas 14 to its regulations.
However, the County requests that the City make additional changes as follows:
Section 9.2 Design Requirements:
Houston Code of Ordinances, Chapter 19 Floodplain (September 2018)
Under Article III: Standards for Flood Hazard Reduction:
The County also recommends that the Harris County Floodplain Administrator should review Chapter 19 for additional changes to ensure consistency with Harris County floodplain regulations.
Negotiations Still Reportedly Ongoing
City of Houston did not discuss conditions of the Perry purchase in last week’s City Council session. Neither are County Commissioners scheduled to discuss them this week. However, negotiations with Perry are reportedly continuing despite the passage of Perry’s extended deadline.
Meanwhile, with hurricane season less than two weeks away, Perry Homes’ new contractors continue to put the full-court press on construction of detention ponds. They have made more progress in two months than the previous contractors did in two years.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/19/2020 with keyframe from Jim Zura, Zura Productions
994 Days after Hurricane Harvey and 243 after Imelda
New Perry Detention Ponds Held Surprising Amount of Rain Last Weekend
The northern section of Perry Homes’ Woodridge Village now has three detention ponds in various stages of completion. As of a week ago, on May 11, 2020, all three were capable of holding water and did during last weekend’s rains. That meant much rainfall that previously might have overwhelmed the two southern detention ponds had places to hold up instead of overflowing into Elm Grove and flooding residents.
No Record Rainfall, But No Flooding Either
Harris County’s Flood Warning System shows that the area received about two and a half inches of rain last weekend. A 2.5 inch rain is far from a record. But forecasters predicted much more. And some areas to the south and east of Lake Houston got more than 10 inches! So Elm Grove residents lucked out, but they were rightly worried.
In the end, whether it was the additional detention capacity or the lighter rain, no one flooded. And that’s what counts.
Status of Detention Pond Construction
So what is the current status of construction? As of last Monday, the two ponds on the southern section (S1 and S2) were complete.
Of the three ponds on the northern section:
As last week wore on, each pond expanded compared to the three images you see above. Jeff Miller, an Elm Grove resident who lives near Woodridge Village, estimates that all three detention ponds on the northern section were about 80% excavated by the end of last week. However, he also noted that much work remains in terms of sloping the sides, stabilizing soil, building pilot channels and connecting ponds.
How They Performed Last Weekend
N1
The first shot below shows the tail of N1. It was not yet connected to N2 so water could not drain out of it.
N2
I have no pictures showing how well N2 did at holding back rain, but neither Taylor Gully nor the southern detention ponds overflowed.
N3
Additional Culverts for Connecting N1 and N3
Jeff Miller also photographed these 4×4 box culverts stacked up north of N3.
Layout and Capacity of All Ditches
Conclusion
Last week’s rains were a small test. But results showed the work already done has added to to detention capacity.
That meant the entire rain, with the help of new detention ponds, was able to drain out through a 3 foot corrugated pipe that connects Taylor Gully on either side of the county line, just like it used to.
This is welcome news for flood-weary Elm Grove and North Kingwood Forest residents who feared the worst.
No Progress to Report on the Political or Purchase Fronts
Even though the deadline for a Harris County purchase of Woodridge Village from Perry has passed, and even though Commissioners are not supposed to discuss the buyout in tomorrow’s Commissioner’s Court meeting, Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle says negotiations are ongoing.
The County made an offer to buy the land in order to build a regional flood detention facility. But the offer was contingent on the City of Houston donating $7 million worth of other property to the Flood Control District to help offset costs. The City also had to adopt County drainage criteria. It reportedly is more conservative than current City standards.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/18/2020 with photos and reporting from Jeff Miller
993 days since Hurricane Harvey and 242 since Imelda
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.