During Hurricane Harvey, the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) released almost 80,000 cubic feet per second from the Lake Conroe Dam. This amounted to ONE-THIRD of all the water coming down the highly populated corridor between Humble and Kingwood. Massive damage resulted.
How Lake Lowering Policy Started
Almost 6,000 structures along the West Fork flooded. That number includes more than 1,100 between Lake Conroe and Porter. Forty-four percent of all the businesses in the Lake Houston Area Chamber experienced damage. The release inundated entire subdivisions. They included Forest Cove townhomes, Barrington, Kingwood Cove, Kingwood Greens, Kings Harbor, and Town Center. Large parts of other subdivisions flooded, too. Some more than two miles from the West Fork.
After touring the damage, Governor Gregg Abbott directed the SJRA to reduce flooding. The SJRA established a Flood Management Division. It also adopted a temporary policy of lowering Lake Conroe from 201 feet to 200 feet in the rainiest months of Spring and 199 feet during the peak of hurricane season.
The extra capacity in Lake Conroe provides a buffer against flooding downstream. It reduces both the volume and rate of water that SJRA must release in a flood.
How Long Policy Will Last
The policy is temporary until other flood mitigation measures can be completed. Those include:
Dredging the West Fork. According to the Army Corps, it had become 90% occluded in places from all the sediment washed downstream by Harvey.
Adding ten additional floodgates to Lake Houston to it can keep up with the volume released by Lake Conroe. Currently, the gates on Lake Houston can release 10,000 cubic feet per second while the gates on Lake Conroe can release 150,000, 15X more.
Pushback by Lake Conroe Residents
After 1.5 years, Lake Conroe residents rebelled against the policy based on misinformation provided by the Lake Conroe Association (LCA). LCA argues that lowering the lake:
Is permanent.
Is needless, because dredging is done.
Has no scientific basis.
Has not worked.
Damaged home values and bulkheading around Lake Conroe.
Makes boating difficult, especially for people far north on the lake.
Reduces the recreational potential of Lake Conroe.
Damages the lake-bottom environment
Will damage Montgomery County’s tax base.
Some of these claims are just outright false. Most are exaggerated. And virtually all stem from false premises; the policy is not permanent and dredging is not done. Regardless, the LCA has whipped people into a hysterical frenzy. Billboards around the lake ask them to SAVE OUR LAKE.
In contrast, the Lake Houston Area Chamber has launched a fact-based campaign called Lives Over Levels.
Please support the the Lake Houston Chamber’s Lives over Levels Campaign by emailing the SJRA Board or coming to one of their meetings. See below.
Background Information to Help You Write a Letter of Support
The links below provide information that you can use to write letters/emails supporting the lowering of Lake Conroe until dredging is complete and additional floodgates have been added to Lake Houston.
Please write an email showing your support for continuing the temporary seasonal lowering of Lake Conroe. The SJRA Board of Directors also welcomes input via mail or email. To contact the Board please visit: https://www.sjra.net/about/board/. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the email form. Or email floodmanagementdivision@sjra.net.
Generally, original letters carry more weight than form letters. However, many people do not feel comfortable writing or speaking. So…
At the December SJRA board meeting, busloads of Lake Conroe residents flooded the boardroom and the Fire Marshall turned away busloads more. To ensure everyone who wants to speak or show their support gets a chance, the SJRA will hold two special meetings at a larger venue closer to Lake Houston.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPECIAL MEETING DATES, TIME, AND LOCATION
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
6pm at Lone Star Convention and Expo Center
9055 Airport Road, Conroe, Texas 77303.
Doors open at 5pm.
Thursday, February 20, 2020
6pm at Lone Star Convention and Expo Center
9055 Airport Road, Conroe, Texas 77303
Doors open at 5pm.
Those wishing to address the board or register a comment at a special meeting may fill out a Comment Registration Form https://www.sjra.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Comment-Registration-Form_01062020.pdf. Comment Registration Forms may be submitted at the special meeting. The form may not be mailed, emailed, or dropped off prior to the meeting date.
For Future Reference
For your convenience, this post has become a permanent page called Lake Lowering with all related blog posts and sample letters. You can access it through the main menu. Please share it with friends and family and get them to come to one of the board meetings or write an email of support.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/LC-Dam-e1719277556742.jpg?fit=1200%2C549&ssl=15491200adminadmin2020-01-17 08:44:122020-01-18 15:35:11Overview: Background Information on Lake Lowering Issue
Today, the Texas Water Development Board formally approved the $30 million grant that will extend the mouth bar dredging program started by the City of Houston last week. Approval had been expected, but in the often-delayed world of flood mitigation projects, the signed deal was a welcome relief. This means that mouth bar dredging can continue in a timely way before hurricane season starts.
Phase One will focus on the West Fork Mouth Bar using the City’s $6 million and $10 million from the grant.
Phase Two will focus on the East Fork Mouth Bar using the remaining $20 million from the grant.
The $10 million from the County flood bond will fund surveys, formulation of specs, bidding, project management and more.
Going Beyond Harvey Dredging
Since Harvey, dredging efforts have focused on identifying and removing deposits related strictly to Hurricane Harvey itself. See below.
Previous phases of dredging focused upstream of the fat blue area near the mouth bar.
Recently completed projects effectively removed sediment deposited by Hurricane Harvey; however, more dredging needs to be completed in the area farthest to the right. That will help restore conveyance and reduce flooding by removing a sediment dam behind the dam. It should also help improve lake capacity.
Additional details on dredging plans and progress reports should become available in the coming weeks. In the meantime, crews appeared to be busy assembling equipment today at the old docks used by the Army Corps.
Crews assembling braces on pontoon that will hold the spudpoles. The spudpoles will hold the pontoon in place while a mechanical excavator scoops sediment into waiting barges to ferry it back to the placement area.Photo taken 1/16/2020.
The City plans to kick off the program with mechanical dredging equipment because it can mobilize quickly. At some point, they may switch over to hydraulic dredging to take advantage of that technology’s greater efficiencies.
The Great Lakes Dredge from Phase 1 is still sitting at the Army Corps dock in pieces while new equipment mobilizes around it. Rumor has it that the Great Lakes dredge is for sale. Photo taken 1/16/2020.
Huberty has already started lobbying for additional funding to help with longer-term maintenance dredging.
Two More Steps Before Kicking Into High Gear
Late today, John Blount, Harris County Engineer who authored the grant request said that there are two more formalities before the program can kick into high gear.
Harris County Commissioners Court, which previously approved the grant request, must now also approve receipt of the award and sign an inter-local agreement with the City of Houston. The latter will govern the working relationship between the City and County. The next Commissioners Court meets on January 28.
The permit to use Berry Madden’s property as a placement area must be amended to accept mechanical dredging spoils, not just hydraulic.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/16/2020
870 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20200116-RJR_6419.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=18001200adminadmin2020-01-16 19:30:132020-01-16 19:50:27Texas Water Development Board Approves $30 Million Grant for Mouth Bar Dredging
MoCo commissioners don’t make the decision to continue the policy. Their resolution shows only symbolic support for Lake Conroe residents. The SJRA board will make the final decision. So Daryl Palmer’s valiant solo appearance won’t necessarily end this story. But if “diffusion of responsibility” similarly affects turnout at the next SJRA board meeting, I fear that will send a message to the SJRA board. That message: downstream residents no longer care.
Ten Two Letter Words That Make All the Difference in the World
Somebody told me once about ten two-letter words that make all the difference in the world.
“If it is to be, it is up to me.”
I’ve tried to live my life by those words since then. Unfortunately, yesterday, I had a meeting conflict and could not attend the MoCo commissioner’s meeting.
When people believe success requires their involvement, most get involved. If you care about your community and neighbors who flooded, I challenge each of you to come to the next SJRA board meeting. Tell why lowering Lake Conroe is important to you personally.
Photo courtesy of Laura Vowinkle. Shows Kingwood Town Center Apartments during Harvey. That’s the top of an SUV in the foreground. These apartments are more than a mile north of the West Fork.
US59 During Harvey after the Lake Conroe release. Looking south from Sorters-McClellan overpass toward the Deerbrook Mall and Humble commercial district. Photo courtesy of Melinda Ray.
During the Lake Conroe release, Janet Wilson lost her home, two cars, 48 years worth of family heirlooms, pictures, books, keepsakes and furniture. She says the greatest damage though was the two years it took to restore family’s life; time that could have been spent with her aging and now deceased parents.
Another photo of Janet Wilson’s life on the curb.
Lowering Lake Conroe seasonally until other mitigation measures are complete is insurance. You don’t use insurance every year. But who would own a home or drive a car without it. The costs could be catastrophic.
Don’t think the SJRA board will automatically do the right thing.
Don’t rely on our political representatives to carry the day. They face opposition from representatives on the other side of this question.
Don’t assume that your voice won’t make a difference.
Don’t believe that because you didn’t flood, your home’s value was not affected.
Don’t pretend flooding could not happen again.
Four 100-year or greater storms hit this area in the last five years.
So act on those ten two-letter words. “If it is to be, it is up to me.”
Make Your Voice Heard
BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPECIAL MEETING DATES, TIME, AND LOCATION
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
6pm at Lone Star Convention and Expo Center
9055 Airport Road, Conroe, Texas 77303.
Doors open at 5pm.
Thursday, February 20, 2020
6pm at Lone Star Convention and Expo Center
9055 Airport Road, Conroe, Texas 77303
Doors open at 5pm.
Those wishing to address the board or register a comment at a special meeting may fill out a Comment Registration Form https://www.sjra.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Comment-Registration-Form_01062020.pdf. Comment Registration Forms may be submitted at the special meeting. The form may not be mailed, emailed, or dropped off prior to the meeting date.
The SJRA Board of Directors also welcomes input regarding the seasonal lake lowering strategy via mail or email. To contact the Board please visit: https://www.sjra.net/about/board/. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the email form. Or email floodmanagementdivision@sjra.net.
The Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce has automated email that makes the process easy. But original emails that tell your particular story likely will carry far more weight.
Tomorrow, I will add a special page to this web site. It will contain all the information you need to compose your own letter or prepare spoken comments. Please continue to send in your photos of Harvey via the Submissions page on this web site so that we can dramatize the difference between real and perceived damages. In the meantime…
Don’t let diffusion of responsibility victimize you a second time.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/15/2020
869 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Kingwood-Town-Center-Apts.jpg?fit=1200%2C563&ssl=15631200adminadmin2020-01-15 18:45:102020-01-17 08:52:46Lake Lowering and Diffusion of Responsibility
Overview: Background Information on Lake Lowering Issue
During Hurricane Harvey, the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) released almost 80,000 cubic feet per second from the Lake Conroe Dam. This amounted to ONE-THIRD of all the water coming down the highly populated corridor between Humble and Kingwood. Massive damage resulted.
How Lake Lowering Policy Started
Almost 6,000 structures along the West Fork flooded. That number includes more than 1,100 between Lake Conroe and Porter. Forty-four percent of all the businesses in the Lake Houston Area Chamber experienced damage. The release inundated entire subdivisions. They included Forest Cove townhomes, Barrington, Kingwood Cove, Kingwood Greens, Kings Harbor, and Town Center. Large parts of other subdivisions flooded, too. Some more than two miles from the West Fork.
After touring the damage, Governor Gregg Abbott directed the SJRA to reduce flooding. The SJRA established a Flood Management Division. It also adopted a temporary policy of lowering Lake Conroe from 201 feet to 200 feet in the rainiest months of Spring and 199 feet during the peak of hurricane season.
How Long Policy Will Last
The policy is temporary until other flood mitigation measures can be completed. Those include:
Pushback by Lake Conroe Residents
After 1.5 years, Lake Conroe residents rebelled against the policy based on misinformation provided by the Lake Conroe Association (LCA). LCA argues that lowering the lake:
Some of these claims are just outright false. Most are exaggerated. And virtually all stem from false premises; the policy is not permanent and dredging is not done. Regardless, the LCA has whipped people into a hysterical frenzy. Billboards around the lake ask them to SAVE OUR LAKE.
In contrast, the Lake Houston Area Chamber has launched a fact-based campaign called Lives Over Levels.
Background Information to Help You Write a Letter of Support
The links below provide information that you can use to write letters/emails supporting the lowering of Lake Conroe until dredging is complete and additional floodgates have been added to Lake Houston.
For more information, visit the Lake Lowering page.
Where to Send Correspondence
Please write an email showing your support for continuing the temporary seasonal lowering of Lake Conroe. The SJRA Board of Directors also welcomes input via mail or email. To contact the Board please visit: https://www.sjra.net/about/board/. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the email form. Or email floodmanagementdivision@sjra.net.
Generally, original letters carry more weight than form letters. However, many people do not feel comfortable writing or speaking. So…
The Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce has automated email that makes the process easy.
Also Show Your Support in Person
At the December SJRA board meeting, busloads of Lake Conroe residents flooded the boardroom and the Fire Marshall turned away busloads more. To ensure everyone who wants to speak or show their support gets a chance, the SJRA will hold two special meetings at a larger venue closer to Lake Houston.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPECIAL MEETING DATES, TIME, AND LOCATION
Those wishing to address the board or register a comment at a special meeting may fill out a Comment Registration Form https://www.sjra.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Comment-Registration-Form_01062020.pdf. Comment Registration Forms may be submitted at the special meeting. The form may not be mailed, emailed, or dropped off prior to the meeting date.
For Future Reference
For your convenience, this post has become a permanent page called Lake Lowering with all related blog posts and sample letters. You can access it through the main menu. Please share it with friends and family and get them to come to one of the board meetings or write an email of support.
Texas Water Development Board Approves $30 Million Grant for Mouth Bar Dredging
Today, the Texas Water Development Board formally approved the $30 million grant that will extend the mouth bar dredging program started by the City of Houston last week. Approval had been expected, but in the often-delayed world of flood mitigation projects, the signed deal was a welcome relief. This means that mouth bar dredging can continue in a timely way before hurricane season starts.
Pieces of Puzzle Now in Place
The TWDB grant stemmed from an amendment to SB500 offered by State Representative Dan Huberty in the last legislative session. It will be combined with $6 million that the City had left over from a FEMA grant through the Texas Division of Emergency Management and $10 million allocated to dredging in the 2018 Harris County Flood Bond.
Harris County’s proposal for the grant calls for splitting the project into two phases.
Going Beyond Harvey Dredging
Since Harvey, dredging efforts have focused on identifying and removing deposits related strictly to Hurricane Harvey itself. See below.
Recently completed projects effectively removed sediment deposited by Hurricane Harvey; however, more dredging needs to be completed in the area farthest to the right. That will help restore conveyance and reduce flooding by removing a sediment dam behind the dam. It should also help improve lake capacity.
Additional details on dredging plans and progress reports should become available in the coming weeks. In the meantime, crews appeared to be busy assembling equipment today at the old docks used by the Army Corps.
The City plans to kick off the program with mechanical dredging equipment because it can mobilize quickly. At some point, they may switch over to hydraulic dredging to take advantage of that technology’s greater efficiencies.
Huberty has already started lobbying for additional funding to help with longer-term maintenance dredging.
Two More Steps Before Kicking Into High Gear
Late today, John Blount, Harris County Engineer who authored the grant request said that there are two more formalities before the program can kick into high gear.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/16/2020
870 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Lake Lowering and Diffusion of Responsibility
Social psychologists call it “diffusion of responsibility.” People tend to shun responsibility for action or inaction when others are present. Individuals assume that others will take action or have already done so. We saw an example that yesterday when exactly one person from Kingwood protested a resolution in MoCo Commissioners Court to stop lowering Lake Conroe seasonally. The motion then passed 3 to 2.
One Individual Rarely Swings Political Tides
Daryl Palmer made a valiant effort to sway the MoCo commissioners, but in a political context, one person rarely has enough clout.
To see Daryl’s testimony click on item 7 at this link. To see the “debate” over the resolution, click on item 8.
The lake lowering strategy helps mitigate flooding. It is temporary while other mitigation measures are implemented. Those include dredging the West Fork mouth bar and adding more floodgates to Lake Houston. Both will help evacuate water faster during floods.
MoCo commissioners don’t make the decision to continue the policy. Their resolution shows only symbolic support for Lake Conroe residents. The SJRA board will make the final decision. So Daryl Palmer’s valiant solo appearance won’t necessarily end this story. But if “diffusion of responsibility” similarly affects turnout at the next SJRA board meeting, I fear that will send a message to the SJRA board. That message: downstream residents no longer care.
Ten Two Letter Words That Make All the Difference in the World
Somebody told me once about ten two-letter words that make all the difference in the world.
I’ve tried to live my life by those words since then. Unfortunately, yesterday, I had a meeting conflict and could not attend the MoCo commissioner’s meeting.
When people believe success requires their involvement, most get involved. If you care about your community and neighbors who flooded, I challenge each of you to come to the next SJRA board meeting. Tell why lowering Lake Conroe is important to you personally.
Lowering Lake Conroe seasonally until other mitigation measures are complete is insurance. You don’t use insurance every year. But who would own a home or drive a car without it. The costs could be catastrophic.
So act on those ten two-letter words. “If it is to be, it is up to me.”
Make Your Voice Heard
BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPECIAL MEETING DATES, TIME, AND LOCATION
Those wishing to address the board or register a comment at a special meeting may fill out a Comment Registration Form https://www.sjra.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Comment-Registration-Form_01062020.pdf. Comment Registration Forms may be submitted at the special meeting. The form may not be mailed, emailed, or dropped off prior to the meeting date.
The SJRA Board of Directors also welcomes input regarding the seasonal lake lowering strategy via mail or email. To contact the Board please visit: https://www.sjra.net/about/board/. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the email form. Or email floodmanagementdivision@sjra.net.
The Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce has automated email that makes the process easy. But original emails that tell your particular story likely will carry far more weight.
Tomorrow, I will add a special page to this web site. It will contain all the information you need to compose your own letter or prepare spoken comments. Please continue to send in your photos of Harvey via the Submissions page on this web site so that we can dramatize the difference between real and perceived damages. In the meantime…
Don’t let diffusion of responsibility victimize you a second time.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/15/2020
869 Days since Hurricane Harvey